Bellator 193 ‘Larkin vs. Gonzalez’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Tyree Fortune vs. Michael Quintero

Round 1

Fortune and Quintero start out trading low kicks before clinching up. Quintero lands some knees to the midsection before Fortune executes a lateral drop and lands in top position. Fortune sets up in the half guard of his opponent, landing short shots to the body. Fortune moves Quintero near the fence, where he drops a couple elbows. Fortune stands in Quintero’s guard, and he takes the back in a scramble as both fighters stand. Fortune drags Quintero to the mat and secures both hooks. Quintero is able to escape Fortune’s attempt at a rear-naked choke. Fortune retains back control, however, and he holds the position as less than a minute remains. Fortune briefly tries for another choke but can’t get it before the bell sounds. 10-9 Fortune.

Round 2

Fortune counters a low kick with a punch before Quintero initiates a tie up. Quintero is denied on a single leg and Fortune lands a kick to the body after they separate. Quintero pushes Fortune into the fence, where he lands a short elbow in close quarters. Fortune tries for a throw and ends up pulling Quintero on top of him into full mount. Quintero stays busy with short right hands to the side of the head. Fortune tries to explode out of danger, but Quintero remains in mount. Fortune scrambles free, but Quintero is relentless, and tries to take Fortune’s back as they stand. Quintero turns his foe against the fence and lands some hard knees to the body. Fortune slams Quintero down with about 1:30 to go and ends up in full mount. Quintero turns and gives up his back. Quintero eventually turns and moves to top position near the fence. Fortune turtles up and Quintero ends the frame landing punches to the side of his opponent’s head. 10-9 Quintero.

Round 3

The combatants touch gloves and then Quintero moves forward behind a right hand. Quintero pushes Fortune into the fence, and they trade knees and punches in the clinch before separating. Fortune changes levels and gets a takedown. Quintero is up quickly as Fortune keeps his hands clasped and looks for another takedown. A poorly executed lateral drop by Fortune ends up with Quintero in full mount. Fortune scrambles out the back door and clings to a leg. Quintero lands some ground-and-pound as Fortune is on all fours. Moments later, Fortune ends up back on top in a scramble. Fortune rides Quintero and lands some elbows to the body. Quintero stands and Fortune looks for a throw. It doesn’t work, but the Portland, Ore., native eventually ends up in top position. With less than a minute to go, Fortune is smothering Quintero, landing moderate offense from inside half guard. The round ends with Fortune on top, landing punches to Quintero’s thigh. 10-9 Fortune (29-28 Fortune).

The Official Result

Tyree Fortune def. Mike Quintero via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Tyrell Fortune vs. Joe Hernandez

Round 1

The heavyweights feel each other out, and Fortune ducks under a Hernandez punch. Fortune tags Hernandez with a straight left jab, then resets. Hernandez isn’t close on a spinning back kick. A left hook lands for Fortune and he avoids the subsequent counter. A body kick and a left hand connect for Hernandez. Another jab lands clean for Fortune, who follows with a body kick in another exchange. Fortune is staying patient in the center of the cage as Hernandez circles outside. Hernandez gets more aggressive and Fortune drops levels for a takedown. Hernandez stays upright as Fortune drives him into the cage. Hernandez lands a knee to the groin. Fortune drops to his knees and time is called. Fortune takes a couple minutes to recover and the action resume. Hernandez throws a right hand and Fortune explodes for a takedown. He sets up in top position near the fence with about a minute remaining. Fortune frames an arm-triangle choke but the fence impedes the submissions and he lets it go. Fortune ends the frame landing ground-and-pound. 10-9 Fortune.

Round 2

Both heavyweights miss on big right hands. Fortune sticks Hernandez with his jab, and then lands a left hook in an ensuing exchange. A high kick from Hernandez is blocked. Fortune again finds the range on his jab. A left hook-straight right combo misses for Fortune. Fortune shoots and pushes Hernandez against the fence, landing a knee before separating. Hernandez stays active with various kicks, but nothing is really landing. Fortune closes the distance and presses his man into the fence. Fortune lands a couple knees to the midsection. They separate briefly and then Fortune ducks under a punch and drives Hernandez to the canvas. Fortune stands for a moment before diving back into his opponent’s guard. Fortune creates some space to land a couple short elbows before the bell sounds. 10-9 Fortune.

Round 3

Fortune closes the distance on a spinning kick and is able to get a body lock takedown. After a scramble, Fortune ends up in side control, where he drops some short elbows to the head. Fortune continues to land elbows and then he steps over into full mount. He sits up and lands a big elbow to Hernandez’s face. Fortune postures up and begins to unload with punches at a more rapid pace. Hernandez is cut near his eye. Hernandez uses the fence to push off and escape the position, and the heavyweights are standing again. Hernandez closes the distance with a looping right hand, but Fortune gets an underhook and turns his man to the fence. Fortune switches from a single leg to a double leg and slams Hernandez to the floor. The Arizona Combat Sports product moves to full mount and ends the fight with a few more elbows to the face. 10-8 Fortune (30-26 Fortune).

The Official Result

Tyrell Fortune def. Joe Hernandez via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) R3 5:00

Steve Kozola vs. Jake Smith

Round 1

Kozola takes the center of the cage and stalks his foe. Smith lands a low kick. The combatants trade simultaneous low kicks as Kozola continues to apply pressure. Kozola walks his man down and lands a short lead uppercut. An overhand right lands for Kozola and he presses forward, looking to land more offense. Moments later, a right counter from Smith buckles Kozola, stopping him in his tracks. Another right hand sends Kozola to his back and Smith follows with one standing-to-ground punch before referee Frank Trigg intervenes to halt the lightweight contest. Smith is victorious in his Bellator MMA debut.

The Official Result

Jake Smith def. Steve Kozola via KO (Punches) R1 0:57

Kendall Grove vs. A.J. Matthews

Round 1

Matthews works his way inside and lands a left hand. Matthews connects with a lead left hook followed by an outside leg kick. A combination from Grove briefly catches Matthews off balance. Matthews lands a hard outside low kick. Grove answers with a jumping front kick to the face. Matthews punches his way into the pocket and lans an inside low kick to the calf. A counter left for Matthews finds a home. A left hook-outside kick combo connects again for Matthews. Matthews works a two-punch combination to the body and follows with an inside leg kick. Grove lands an outside leg kick of his own. A left to the body lands for Matthews, but Grove counters with a combination. A left hook to the body lands for Matthews and he moves out of danger. Grove attacks the lead leg of his opponent with a low kick. Matthews goes back to the body with a left hook. Grove lands a punching combination in close quarters and then finishes with a knee. 10-9 Matthews.

Round 2

Grove opens up jabbing from range. The Hawaiian backs Matthews up with a jumping front kick. Grove continues to jab and Matthews jabs to the body. Matthews chops away with a low kick and then follows up with a left to the body. Grove lands a low kick, slips a punch and answers with a short combination. Grove continues to pump his jab to keep Matthews at range. A counter right hand lands for Grove in an exchange. Matthews continues to work the body with his left hook. A counter right connects for “The Mercenary.” Matthews moves forward and lands an outside leg kick. Matthews follows a left hook with a right hand over the top that finds a home. Matthews ups his aggression and lands a two-piece combo before the bell sounds. 10-9 Matthews.

Round 3

Matthews moves forward with low kicks and a left to the ribs. A right hand lands upstairs for Matthews. Grove is in perpetual retreat as Matthews presses the action. A short right counter lands for Grove, but Matthews keeps moving forward. Grove tries to use his jab to keep Matthews at bay and a few land. The middleweights are trading now, and a left from Matthews briefly staggers Grove. A right elbow over the top lands, and then Matthews follows with a left hook and another right hand. Matthews falls on a high kick but pops right back up. Matthews dodges some jabs and counters with a right hand. Grove feints an elbow and eats another right. Matthews slips a couple jabs and lands a two-punch combination. Matthews presses forward and Grove sucks him into the clinch, landing a knee. They separate shortly thereafter, as Grove is unable to get a takedown. Matthews lands a jab to the body as Grove circles away. Matthews connects with a glancing left hook upstairs as time runs out. 10-9 Matthews (30-27 Matthews).

The Official Result

A.J. Matthews def. Kendall Grove via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) R3 5:00

J.J. Ambrose vs. Saad Awad

Round 1

Awad opens up with a low kick to Ambrose’s lead leg. Awad continues to land heavy leg kicks in the early going, and it’s already having an effect. A right hand from Awad snaps his opponetn’s head back. Ambrose moves forward, and Awad is putting everything behind his punches. Awad throws a big one-two combination, and the back end of it lands. A left jab lands for Ambrose, and Awad goes right back to the low kicks. Both lightweights whiff on massive punches in an exchange. Awad goes with an inside leg kick and Ambrose nods. A counter right lands for Awad and they clinch. Ambrose executes a throw and briefly lands on top. Awad works his way up but Ambrose maintains his grip. Eventually Awad escapes and ends the round pushing Ambrose against the fence. 10-9 Awad.

Round 2

Ambrose’s leg is already looking beat up. Ambrose backs Awad up with a double jab. A standing side kick touches Ambrose’s face, but doesn’t do much damage. A chopping leg kick makes Ambrose stumble forward. Awad is mixing up his kicks, changing levels. They tie up and Awad takes his opponent’s back from a standing position. He can’t get his hooks in, however, and Ambrose spins around. They continue to scramble and Ambrose looks for a kimura as Awad punches the ribs. Awad maintains a rear-body lock and eventually takes his foe to the mat. They roll and Awad is on Ambrose’s back with both hooks in. Awad switches to a body triangle and hunts for a rear-naked choke. Awad transitions to full mount but Ambrose explodes to his feet. Awad has a waist lock near the fence. He tries to take Ambrose down, and he finally wrestles him down again. Ambrose is on a knee as Awad lands knees to the thigh and rear of his opponent. Ambrose stands and briefly frames a guillotine. He uses a headlock to drag Awad down to the floor, and he attempts to frame a brabo choke. Ambrose ends the frame in top position but can’t lock in the submission. 10-9 Awad.

Round 3

Awad throws a push kick and Ambrose nearly catches it. Ambrose shoots for a takedown and lands in side control. Awad attempts to work his way up, and Ambrose grabs a front headlock. Awad escapes nd pushes Ambrose into the fence. They battle for position against the fence and Ambrose wrestles Awad down. Awad is on all fours, with Ambrose relying on heavy hip pressure. Awad is back up, and he slams Ambrose down. Awad moves from side control to mount near the fence. Ambrose gives up his back and Awad secures a body triangle. Ambrose is able to control Awad’s wrists to fight off the rear-naked choke. Awad rolls away from the fence and adjusts his grip. Ambrose continues to defend it well. Ambrose hunts for a kimura but Awad scrambles back into top position and ends the fight in his foe’s half guard. 10-9 Awad (30-27 Awad).

The Official Result

Saad Awad def. J.J. Ambrose via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Lorenz Larkin vs. Fernando Gonzalez

Round 1

Larkin is feeling things out, using front kicks to probe at his opponent. Gonzalez steps in and lands a kick to the body. Larkin attempts a jumping low kick that Gonzalez catches, but “The Menifee Maniac” misses on the counter. A straight right hand backs up Gonzalez, and Larkin follows up with an outside leg kick. Another crisp straight right finds a home for Larkin, who again follows up shortly thereafter with an outside low kick. A right hook to the body lands for Larkin. The Strikeforce veteran seems to be getting loose. A push kick backs Gonzalez up briefly. Gonzalez blocks a high kick. A low kick lands flush on Gonzalez’s lead leg. A snapping kick to the body connects for Larkin. Gonzalez moves forward with a flurry of punches, but most of them are blocked. Larkin lands another body kick. Larkin eludes a two-punch combination. Gonzalez is upping the forward pressure, but thus far isn’t connecting with much. 10-9 Larkin.

Round 2

Larkin goes back to the outside low kick to begin the stanza. Larkin goes upstairs with a kick, but Gonzalez is able to block it. Larkin sidesteps a punch and then lands a three-piece combination. A front kick to the midsection slows Gonzalez’s movement for a moment. Larkin follows a right hand with a high kick, but Gonzalez blocks most of it. Larkin is initiating most of the offense, and he appears to be getting more comfortable with his opponent. Gonzalez continues to try and push the pace, but Larkin’s speed and footwork are keeping him out of danger. Gonzalez lands a short right hook in close. Larkin throws a one-two and Gonzalez falls after attempting to answer with a leg kick. He’s up quickly and he briefly flurries to the body with Larkin up against the fence. Larkin lands a pair of jabs and then follows with a right hand-left kick combination. A closer round than the first, but Gonzalez still needs to land more consistently. 10-9 Larkin.

Round 3

A jumping switch kick by Larkin is blocked by Gonzalez. A low kick from Larkin briefly buckles his foe. Gonzalez presses forward with a high kick followed by a punching flurry. Larkin quickly moves out of danger. Another low kick lands for Larkin but Gonzalez fires back. Larkin’s speed and movement remains a key factor as he is able to land straight punches while avoiding Gonzalez’s offerings. Larkin jabs and then steps in with a knee inside. Gonzalez applies pressure and lands a body kick without much power. A straight left lands for Larkin as Gonzalez tries to work his way inside. Larkin lands a jab and then follows with a jumping knee. Gonzalez continues to move forward and lands a body-head combination. Larkin continues to work behind his jab, landing straight rights and various kicks behind his lead hand. Gonzalez isn’t giving up, but Larkin hurts his foe late in the frame and he hunts for a finish with punches and elbows against the fence. Gonzalez is bleeding and stumbling, but he survives until the final bell. 10-9 Larkin (30-27 Larkin).

The Official Result

Lorenz Larkin def. Fernando Gonzalez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00