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Bellator 193 Betting Preview & Predictions
Lorenz Larkin (18-7) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (27-14)
This is not a title fight and is being held at a catchweight of 180 pounds; it’s possible, though, that the winner takes on Rory MacDonald next. MacDonald, as this writer predicted, beat Douglas Lima in a brutal welterweight title fight last weekend at Bellator 192. Larkin, a longtime UFC and Strikeforce fighter, is still searching for his first Bellator win. Since joining the organization earlier this year, he suffered a title loss via decision to Lima and a knockout defeat to Paul Daley. Prior to those losses, Larkin, who fought as a light heavyweight before his recent welterweight run, was on a 4-1 run. Gonzalez has managed to miss weight for his past two bouts, wins over Brandon Girtz and Brennan Ward). The 34-year-old former WEC and Strikeforce fighter’s only loss in his past nine fights came via split decision to Michael Page in November 2016. That loss was very controversial. Gonzalez refused to engage for the first two rounds, and Page taunted him to come into range. Page landed just enough strikes to win rounds where virtually nothing happened. When Gonzalez did engage in the third round he went for takedowns and failed to get them. The judges rendered a split decision of 29-28 Page, 30-27 Gonzalez, and 29-28 for Page. Gonzalez has shown that he can match whatever pace his opponent brings to the table, whether that be intensity or inertia. Gonzalez stays busy inside of the clinch and demonstrates serviceable wrestling when he calls upon it. Larkin’s game comes to life when allowed the open space to operate. He will have a speed advantage in this one. Larkin also has fought better competition and arguably has a higher ceiling.Saad Awad (21-9) vs. JJ Ambrose (28-7)
These two are lightweight contenders – well, the winner will be. Awad has competed 15 times in the Bellator cage, going 9-6 for the organization while competing in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. He has won two straight, including a quick first-round finish of Zach Freeman on Nov. 3. Awad stopped Freeman just 67 seconds into the first round with a two-punch TKO courtesy of a pair of right hands that appeared to be merely glancing blows, but were enough to put Freeman on the canvas and get referee Keith Peterson to shut things down. Awad essentially called the fight himself by raising his hands and not dropping to the canvas to go for the finish.
Ambrose returns to Bellator for a third stint with the promotion following a pair of one-off appearances in 2012 and 2013. “Superman” is riding a five-fight winning streak. In his most recent outing, he defeated two-time UFC competitor Ben Wall by unanimous decision.
