Fabian Edwards squashes talk of rematch with Mike Shipman, plots path toward title shot

Fabian Edwards has his sights set on the top names in Bellator’s middleweight division, but he admitted he considered putting his progress on hold to face his most recent adversary for a second time.

Edwards edged a split-decision verdict against fellow countryman Mike Shipman at Bellator Europe 6 in November 2019 after an ill-tempered buildup saw the pair engage in an angry skirmish at the official weigh-ins ahead of their matchup.

After the fight, the beef between the pair seemed to have subsided but, speaking to MMA Junkie from Birmingham, England, Edwards admitted he still has little time for the Londoner known as “Seabass.”

“I still dislike the kid, I’m not even going to lie to you,” he laughed. “I still dislike him. He’s one of those people that I would never like. After the fight, we never really spoke to each other.”

The anticipation ahead of their first meeting, coupled with the split-decision verdict at its conclusion, led many to suggest that a rematch was in order. But while Edwards admitted he had contemplated the possibility, he has instead focused his attention on fighters ahead of him in the middleweight division, starting with Dutch contender Costello van Steenis, who he was scheduled to face in London on May 9 before the COVID-19 pandemic put Bellator’s fight schedule on hold.

“(Shipman) made a few posts saying ‘rematch this’ and ‘rematch that,’ and I was considering it,” said Edwards. “But, to be honest, I’ve thought about it now. He needs to go on a two-fight win streak or three-fight win streak for me to bless him with that again. But I’m just focused on Costello van (expletive) right now.”

Like his brother, UFC welterweight contender Leon, Edwards is planning to pick up championship gold sooner rather than later and says he thinks victory over van Steenis could place him within touching distance of a title shot at 185 pounds.

“I reckon Costello, and then two more people (before a title shot),” he suggested. It could be either three people or two, depending on who I fight after Costello. If I fight a former champion, then I should be challenging for the world title after two fights. But if not, it’ll be three fights.”

To hear the full interview with Edwards, check out the video below.