Bellator 193 Report – Lorenz Larkin earns first victory with the promotion

The team at The MMA Complex files a report on the main card from Bellator 193 on Friday, headlined by a catchweight bout between Lorenz Larkin and Fernando Gonzalez and also featured Saad Awad, Kendall Groves, and others in action.

TEMECULA, Calif. – The MMA Complex is on the scene and reporting live from today’s Bellator 193 event, and you can join us for official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) from Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif.

Official Bellator 193 results include:

MAIN CARD (Paramount, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Lorenz Larkin (Red Corner) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (Blue Corner)

Round 1: It’s main event time; both fighters take the center of the cage feeling on out one another. Nothing significant in most of the round but a strong right low kick followed by a body kick from Lorenz Larkin to Fernando Gonzalez.

Gonzalez answers that with a flurry of punches of his own pushing Lorenz back against the cage. Round ends with Lorenz putting Gonzalez off balance with a series of strikes of his own, possibly getting the round in the process.

Round 2: Round starts much like the first, a very tense fight with each fighter attempting big shots on the other. Gonzales is the aggressor in the round, keeping the center if the cage; Lorenz is definitely holding his own with some hard-hitting counter strikes. Although much of the round saw Gonzalez being the aggressor in the fight, its Larkin’s counter striking that seems to be on point tonight keeping the Menifee Maniac at a distance, second round for Larkin.

Round 3: The third round starts off very tense as this is a definite back and forth battle between two highly skilled competitors. Gonzalez continues to press the action taking the center of the cage, and Larking uses his counter striking. Gonzales is doing much better this round putting Larkin in some precarious positions up against the cage with his striking. Larkin’s jab has been the story of his game plan tonight, which helped set up a last minute fight-ending barrage of punches and kicks that nearly ended Gonzalez in the third. Gonzalez survives and the round ends with the crowd applause. Lorenz Larkin def. Fernando Gonzalez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

  • JJ Ambrose (Blue Corner) vs. Saad Awad (Red Corner)

Round 1: Fight open up with a low kick by Saad Awad. It’s a tentative first round for the two, in a feeling out process for much of the first. Saad Awad landing some vicious overhand rights and getting the better of JJ Ambrose. Round ends with JJ Ambrose having some success with the clinch work, taking down Saad Awad who immediately gets back on his feet. JJ attempts to take his back, and the round ends with the two in the clinch up against the cage, with the round leaning in favor of Saad Awad.

Round 2: We open the round with the two taking the center of the cage, with Saad Awad getting the body lock takedown on JJ Ambrose. JJ struggles to get back on his feet, yet Saad Awad will not let go and takes JJ down once again getting his back and transitioning to mount.

That did not last long as JJ uses the cage to help himself get back up, but continues to struggle with Saad Aawd who is attempting to take him down once again. Saad Awad us relentless with the clinch work, round ends with the two on the ground up against the cage. The round was given to Saad Awad,

Round 3: In the opening minutes of the third round JJ gets the better of the clinch work taking down Saad Awad who after several minutes gets back to his feet. In a back and forth grappling battle between the two, see both getting successful takedowns. The round ends with Saad Awad getting the back of JJ Ambrose and eventually side control. Saad Awad def. J.J. Ambrose via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

  • Kendall Grove (Red Corner) vs. A.J. Matthews (Blue Corner)

Round 1:  No touch of the gloves the fight is underway. Hard shots landing by the two middleweights, Kendall Grove getting better of the exchanges, with spurts of kick and punches between the two. A.J. Mathews presses the action landing some aggressive body shot. It’s a strong finish to the round for both fighters with the round leaning towards Kendal Grove.

Round 2: A.J. Mathews starts the second round much like the first taking the center of the octagon; Kendall Grove though is keeping the crafty middleweight at bay with his footwork, front kicks, and counter striking.  With a strong finish to the round, A.J. Matthews’s pressure and a strong flurry of punches at the end of the round may have the judges giving him a slight nod in the round.

Round 3: A strong start to the round for A.J. Matthews as he headhunts Kendall Grove, keeping him on the back foot putting on the pressure once again. In a brief exchange, Kendall drops A.J. who immediately stands up; regaining his composure. After a desperate takedown attempt by Kendall, AJ continues to press the actions landing some strikes on the veteran Kendall Grove. The fight goes the distance in favor of A.J. Matthews def. Kendall Grove via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

  • Steve Kozola (Red Corner) vs. Jake Smith (Blue Corner)

Round 1: Round starts with Steve Kozola taking the center of the octagon pressing the action. With brief exchanges between the two in a feeling out process that did not take long, Jake Smith lands a left then right hook combination that dropped Steve Kozola, finishing the round with a hammer strike. The fight is called via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:57 for Jake Smith.