January 26, 2017 – Tonight Bellator returned to Pechanga in Temecula, CA for Bellator 193 as Saad Awad faced J.J. Ambros in the co-main event while local fighters Lorenz Larkin and Frenando Gonzalez did battle in the main event.
Here are tonight’s results as follow:
Lightweight (155 lbs) Steve Kozola (8-1) vs. Jake Smith (6-2)
Round one: A slow start but Kozola positions Smith to towards the cage and exchange some strikes as Kozola comes off the better of the stroking but gets rocked then knocked out by a left hand by Smith and this one is already over.
Your winner at the 57 seconds of the very first round by KO is Jake “The Half-Black Attack” Smith!
Middleweight (185 lbs) Kendall Grove (23-17-1) vs. A.J. Matthews (8-7)
Round One: Each fight lands a heavy punch as Grove throws a straight kick to the body. Matthews lands a right hook, but so does Grove, which floors the shorter opponent. Grove lands a jumping kick to the face, which barely phased Matthews. Matthews attacks high then low, getting an, “Oooh nice from several fans.” Grove lands a punch combination and a knee to the body, which is quickly answered by Matthews.
Round Two: In the first round, not a single takedown was attempted and in this round we expect them to keep it standing. Matthews striking is more effect this round as he’s taken control of the cage. Grove was rocked a bit as the round comes to an end.
Round Three: This round is all striking and the action hasn’t been stale, they look to be one round a piece, so whomever wins this round, wins the right. This ones goes to the judges.
Your winner by split decision, A.J. Matthews!
Lightweight (155 lbs) Saad Awad (21-9) vs. J.J. Ambros (28-7-2)
Round One: Awad stalks Ambros how’s been slightly knocked off base and is starting to have a mouse developed under his eye. Awad lands some thunderous kicks, forcing Ambros to to force the clinch, taking down Awad who escapes the front face lock and takes cage control at the end of the round.
Round Two: The crowd is clearly with Awad, but Ambros’ BJJ is impeccable. After each of them lands a big left hand, they smile and high five. Awad takes down Ambros with a waist lock, transitions to a front face look and looks to return to Ambros’s back, who stands up against the cage and is looking for a keylock. Awad escapes, the armlock and takes Ambros’ back working the body scissors and looking for a rear naked choke, but Ambros’s arm was in the way. Ambros is able to stand up against the cage, but if this was wrestling, still wouldn’t have the escape as Awad follows him back to the ground. Ambros reverses positions and ends the round on top.
Round Three: The pace has slowed a bit, but not from fatigue. Ambros uses a single leg, taking Awad down. Awad escapes and takes cage control. Ambros is looking for a standing guillotine but can’t get his hands in, transitioning to a leg sweep, taking Awad’s back. The crowd is clearly on Awad’s side, who take the mount position, transitions to Ambros’s back and is fighting to get his arm under Ambros’ chin, which although he hasn’t done so yet, he’s got a body scissors. Ambros moves out of position looking for a kimora but Awad can’t get his head out to have full control of the side mount as the match comes to an end.
Your winner by unanimous decision, Saad Awad!
Main Event – Catchweight (180 lbs) Lorenz Larkin (18-7-1) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (27-14)
Round One: Gonzalez didn’t make weight by less than a pound, which shouldn’t have too much of an effect on this fight. This looks more like a Savat bout than an MMA fight as the two combatants change more kicks than combinations so far. Gonzalez begins to unload with the crowd behind him, but Larkin has tremendous power in his hands and feet.
Round Two: Gonzalez is chasing after Larkin, who needs this victory as he’s 0-2 in his Bellator appearances. A fight has broken out in the crowd while the main event takes us to the sound of the bell.
Round Three: The fight in the crowd has ended, but the main event continues with the final round. The fighters touch gloves the crowd is on fire and the fans are with Fernando Gonzalez, but this fight is too close to call as it they have both been busy. Larkin appears to have landed more significant strikes, but who knows what the judges have seen from their respective angles. Gonzalez looks to have rocked Larkin but he woke up quickly to chop at the legs of Gonzalez with those heavy low kicks. Larkin has rocked Gonzalez and this one goes to the judges as Gonzalez cuts are attended to.
Your winner by unanimous decision, Lorenz Larkin!