Bellator 237 results: Lorenz Larkin picks apart Keita Nakamura for decision win
On Saturday night, Dec. 28, 2019, Bellator MMA makes its organizational debut in Japan for Bellator 237. The event takes place at the world famous Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan and will be headlined by a heavyweight battle between legends of the sport, as Fedor Emelianenko takes on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
Bellator 237 takes place in collaboration with RIZIN FF.
In the welterweight division, two UFC veterans square off as Lorenz Larkin takes on Keita Nakamura. Larkin, representing Bellator, looks to make it four consecutive victories as he checks off a bucket list item fighting at Saitama Super Arena. In his most recent appearance, “The Monsoon” defeated former Bellator champ Andrey Koreshkov in the main event of Bellator 229 in October. Larkin looked to be the front runner to challenge Douglas Lima for the Bellator welterweight strap with a win on Saturday but, unfortunately, the 33-year-old missed weight by 2.5 pounds and will be fined 20 percent of his purse.
After a 4-4 second run with the UFC, Nakamura made his RIZIN debut in October and picked up a first round knockout win over Marcos Yoshio de Souza at RIZIN 19 in October. “K-Taro” makes his 47th professional appearance on Saturday, which includes wins over Alex Morono, Kyle Noke and Jingliang Li during his recent UFC tenure.
Here is how the welterweight bout between Lorenz Larkin and Keita Nakamura went down at Bellator 237, including round-by-round scoring. For full event results, check them out right here.
ROUND 1
Jason Herzog gets them going as they touch gloves. Nakamura comes in quickly in a southpaw stance as Larkin comes in with a right hand. Another right hand from Larkin as he then catches a kick from Nakamura. Leg kick from Larkin, followed by a hard body kick behind it. Another hard kick to the midsection from Larkin as he looks very comfortable in there. Hard leg kick and a quick right hand from Larkin as well. Two minutes gone in the first round and Larkin blasts a high kick with an uppercut behind it. Jab from Larkin lands and Nakamura lands a straight left. Larkin lands a hard right hand after just missing a huge uppercut. Right hand to the body from Larkin with under 90 seconds to go. Nakamura is getting welted up on the body from this attack by Larkin. Final 30 seconds of the round and Larkin lands another body kick, followed by a stiff left jab. Leg kick from Nakamura and a body kick blocked behind it. Short uppercut lands from Larkin as the round ends.
We're closing out round one between @Da_MOnsoon and @KtaNakamura with a bang!#BellatorJapan #BellatorvsRIZIN pic.twitter.com/YPss0RDCEk
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 29, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Larkin
ROUND 2
Larkin lands a pair of body kicks early and a hard jab. Side kick to the body from “The Monsoon” as he is picking up right where he left off in the opening round. Leg kick from Larkin and Nakamura lands a pair of hard punches. Larkin lands a right hand and a hard push kick to the body. Larkin goes back with a lighting quick body kick as he is bleeding from the bridge of the nose. Left hook counter from Larkin and a leg kick drops Nakamura briefly. Left hand lands from Nakamura, Larkin answers with a jab. Push kick to the knee from Larkin and Nakamura is showing that veteran grit. Final 35 seconds and Larkin lands a jumping knee flush to the chest of Nakamura. Larkin lands a big right hand and a stiff jab. Nakamura lands a leg kick and they trade as the round ends.
📞 @KtaNakamura is looking for that phonebooth fight at #BellatorJapan tonight.#BellatorvsRIZIN pic.twitter.com/rW3CMU0rtI
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 29, 2019
🦵💥 Nasty flying knee from @Da_Monsoon.#BellatorJapan #BellatorvsRIZIN pic.twitter.com/Sn0TLRUhYa
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 29, 2019
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 for Larkin
ROUND 3
Nakamura pushing forward to start things off and Larkin lands a left hook. Push kick to the body from Larkin, followed by a calf kick. Larkin lands a hard jab and circles around the cage. Jab and a hard right hand from Larkin. Nakamura continuing to pressure forward but Larkin’s movement and quickness has been the difference throughout the fight. They clinch up and Larkin lands a big knee to the body that drops Nakamura. Larkin with a big left hand and a flying knee. Right hand from Larkin and Nakamura shoots for a single. Hard elbow from Larkin followed by some big hammer fists. Another hard elbow from Larkin before he sprawls to defend another Nakamura takedown attempt. Larkin lets him back up as Nakamura is bleeding behind the right ear and the left eye. Superman punch from Larkin with under a minute to go. Straight right hand from Larkin lands, followed by a body kick. Larkin lands a mixture of punches and knees in the final seconds as the bell sounds. Should be a clean sweep for Larkin.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Lorenz Larkin
Official result: Lorenz Larkin def. Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 x2)
