By FCF Staff

Sean Strickland no longer sits atop of the UFC’s middleweight division. But, according to Bellator champ, Johnny Eblen, he and the former UFC champ are the planet’s top 185’ers.

Eblen is preparing to defend Bellator’s middleweight title against Fabian Edwards this Saturday at the PFL’s “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view card. While talking to the media ahead of the event, Eblen was asked who he thinks are the best middleweights in the sport (quotes via MMA Mania).

“I’m going to have to go with my boy, Sean Strickland,” Eblen said. “Every time I go out to train with him in Las Vegas, it’s through rounds. He gets me sometimes; I get him sometimes. I think we’re truly the best middleweights in the world, and the fact that I get to train with him and we happen to be in different promotions is kind of cool. We’re also making good money. So, that’s the best Middleweight I can say. Any guy can have his day, though. There’s a top five, and any one of those guys can be a champion.”

The 32-year-old Eblen (15-0) is coming off a split decision win over Impa Kasanganay in February, after knocking out Fabian Edwards last September.

Strickland (29-6), who is 33, is expected to face UFC middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis again in early 2025. Du Plessis defeated Strickland by split decision when they fought this past January.

“Battle of the Giants” is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.