Bellator 193 MMA Odds & Expert Picks

Less than a week after Bellator 192, the next edition unfolds in Temecula, California, on Friday night. There is a nine-fight card, with a set of six preliminary bouts starting at 7:00pm Eastern time, with the main card’s three bouts starting two hours later. Here’s a look at the MMA odds for Bellator 193 and betting suggestions for the main card as well as some insights about some of the fighters in the preliminary bouts.

Bellator 193 MMA Odds & Expert Picks

When: Friday, January 26, 2018, 7:00pm EST (prelims), 9:00pm EST (main card) Where: Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, CA TV: Paramount (main card only) Radio: None Live Stream: Bellator Live Justin “The American Kid” Lawrence (10-4 MMA, 3-2 Bellator) has fought with Strikeforce, UFC, RFA and now has five Bellator bouts under his belt. He went to the quarterfinals of The Ultimate Fighter in Season 15, and he has entered the octagon with such quality competition as UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway, Michael Chiesa and James Krause. His last win came by medical stoppage, and he looks to take down Andrew Navidad, which would push him to 4-2 as a Bellator featherweight and bring him a more marquee matchup next time. Tyrell Fortune (3-0 MMA, 3-0 Bellator) comes from a strong wrestling background, winning two NJCAA championships at Clackamas Community College (Oregon), and one NCAA Division II title at Grand Canyon University. He won the Division II Wrestler of the Year award in 2013. His record includes two wins by TKO, and he looks to add to that record against Bellator debutante Joe “2 Gunz” Hernandez (3-2 MMA). Everett Cumings (14-0 MMA, 1-0 Bellator) has not fought with Bellator in three years. His heavyweight record is intimidating, especially since just one bout has gone the distance. He has won five fights by TKO and eight by submission — so he has a reputation as a finisher. He takes on Temecula native Ben Beebe (7-3 MMA), who is making his Bellator debut. Cummings is looking to make his mark in a Bellator heavyweight division that already has a considerable amount of talent. Now, for the main card…

A.J. “The Mercenary” Matthews (8-7 MMA, 4-5 Bellator) vs Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (23-17 MMA, 4-4 Bellator) Middleweight Division

Both of these fighters are looking to end losing streaks, as Grove has dropped two in a row, and Matthews has lost four. Both of these do tend to finish when they win, as Grove has won nine times via submission and eight times via knockout, while Matthews has six knockouts in eight career wins. Grove is seven inches taller than Matthews, which will give him an immense reach advantage with both his strikes and kicks. But can Matthews get inside and take advantage of a lower center of gravity? MMA Odds Prediction: Grove wins by unanimous decision

J.J. “Superman” Ambrose (28-7 MMA, 1-2 Bellator) vs Saad “Assassin” Awad (21-9 MMA, 9-5 Bellator) Lightweight Division

Both of these fighters have made it to the elimination round of Ultimate Fighter, and both of these pugilists know how to finish fights. Ambrose has 17 wins via submission and five wins via knockout. Awad has nine by knockout and seven by submission. Ambrose is looking for his sixth win in a row, while Awad looks to win his third. So we have to up-and-coming combatants in the lightweight division. Look for plenty of striking from both sides in this one. MMA Odds Prediction: Ambrose wins by unanimous decision

Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (27-14 MMA, 7-1 Bellator) vs Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin (18-7 MMA, 0-2 Bellator) Welterweight Division

Gonzalez has gotten off to a terrific start in Bellator, rolling up seven wins in eight bouts. His only setback came in a split decision against Michael “Venom” Page. He followed up that loss by taking down Brandon Girtz via unanimous decision and finishing Brennan Ward with a submission. However, he has a big challenge coming in Larkin. Larkin comes from Strikeforce and the UFC. He was in the top ranks of the UFC as a welterweight and came over to Bellator after a two-fight winning streak. However, he has not had success yet in Bellator, losing to Douglas Lima on the cards and taking a knockout from Paul Daley. The winner of this bout could be the challenger for Rory MacDonald, who just took the welterweight belt from Douglas Lima at Bellator 192. MMA Odds Prediction: Gonzalez wins by unanimous decision.