Video: Johnny Eblen, Leon Edwards Have Heated Confrontation at Bellator 299

Things got heated after the bell between @JohnnyEblen and Leon Edwards. #Bellator299 LIVE on @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/s1XK2zJ1B0

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2023

Tensions were high in the immediate aftermath of the Bellator 299 headliner.

Johnny Eblen and Leon Edwards exchanged some heated words after Eblen defended his middleweight crown with a third-round knockout of the UFC welterweight champion’s younger brother, Fabian Edwards, on Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin.

The incident appeared to be triggered by Eblen’s reaction to the stoppage, as he hovered over his opponent and shouted at him. That prompted Leon Edwards to make his way toward the Bellator champion, but security was able to keep the two fighters apart as they yelled at one another.

Things calmed down after a brief period, as Eblen approached the opposing corner and shook hands with Leon and Fabian. Eblen is now unbeaten in 14 professional outings, including back-to-back middleweight championship defenses under the Bellator banner.

Leon Edwards is scheduled to return to the Octagon for a 170-pound title bout in the UFC 296 main event on Dec. 16.