Saad Awad vs. J.J. Ambrose turned out to be far more competitive than expected at Bellator 193
Bellator MMA returned to action Friday with Bellator 193, live from Temecula, CA. In the co-main event of the evening, Saad Awad took on J.J. Ambrose. Awad had felt the fight perhaps wasn’t pushed the way it should have been leading into the event, and planned on putting on a show.
Award opened with a leg kick, then another before letting his hands go. Within the first minute no fewer than four leg kicks had landed for Awad, with Ambrose looking pained from each and every one. Just prior to the halfway point of the round, Awad also got his left hook going. Ambrose had little in the way of an answer; Saad Awad more often than not wasn’t there the the counters came. Late in the round Ambrose would land a few left hands, and managed to take Awad to the ground late, but Awad was able to scramble free.
Ambrose’s leg looked reminiscent of Rory MacDonald’s a week earlier after the first round, though not quite to the same extent.
In the second, Awad worked in a little Stockton Slap early. He later took the back of Ambroke, and while he’d lose the position, he had his opponent in a head lock and transitioned to the back again. Awad was still in control by the midway mark, and though Ambrose was still standing, it wasn’t for long. Awad took him down and took the back, locking in the body triangle. With over two minutes remaining, he had plenty of time to work. Ambrose, however, proved to have adequate defense and escaped back to his feet. With Awad dragging him down once more, however, it was not a good round for Ambrose, who ate knees to the body along the fence as the clock wound down. A late standing guillotine and later D’arce attempt didn’t improve his fortunes much.
Saad Awad launched a high kick early in the third, while J.J. Ambrose shot for a takedown early and landed it. Awad, however, was able to power back up, but had to be aware of Ambrose’s front choke attempts. Along the fence, Ambrose was able to take the back, and peppered his opponent with some short punches. It was Awad, however, scoring a takedown next, and moving to side control. The late change in momentum made the frame a difficult one to score, and Awad finished the fight in top position. Going to the judges, however, it was unanimous.
Saad Awad def. J.J. Ambrose by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
