Saad Awad to face J.J. Ambrose in Bellator 193 co-main event

Fresh off of a 67-second TKO win, Saad Awad is ready to keep rolling in 2018.

The “Assassin” has been booked to fight J.J. Ambrose in the lightweight co-main event of Bellator 193 on Jan. 26 at the Penchaga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif.

Officials confirmed the matchup to MMA Fighting on Monday.

Awad (21-9) 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.

Ambrose (28-7, 2 NC) returns to Bellator for a third stint with the promotion following a pair of one-off appearances in 2012 and 2013. A California native, “Superman” is riding a five-fight winning streak. In his most recent outing, he defeated two-time UFC competitor Ben Wall by unanimous decision.

Bellator 193 will be headlined by a 180-lb catchweight bout between Lorenz Larkin (18-7, 1 NC) and Fernando Gonzalez (27-14).