Bellator 218 to Include Debut of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospect Johnny Eblen

Former University of Missouri wrestler Johnny Eblen will make his promotional debut against Chauncey Foxworth at Bellator 218.

A promotion official confirmed the preliminary middleweight pairing to Sherdog.com on Tuesday. Bellator 218 takes place at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla., on March 22 and is headlined by a featherweight duel between Emmanuel Sanchez and Ashleigh Grimshaw. The main card will air on Paramount Network and DAZN following prelims on Bellator.com and DAZN.

The 27-year-old Eblen currently trains at American Top Team in Florida. He has compiled a 4-0 record while competing exclusively for the Shamrock FC promotion. Most recently, Eblen forced Tyler Lee to submit to punches 3:10 into the opening stanza of their Oct. 13 encounter.

A native of Hot Springs, Ark., Foxworth is 5-7 over the course of a professional career that has seen him compete in organizations such as Legacy Fighting Alliance, Cage Fury Fighting Championships and World Series of Fighting. Foxworth has won just one of his last six bouts.