Lorenz Larkin will finally get another crack at the Bellator welterweight title.
Larkin faced Levan Chokheli in the co-main event of Saturday’s Bellator San Diego card in what was billed as a No. 1 contender fight. As the fight was starting to get going early in the first round, Larkin clipped Chokheli with a right hand that had the Georgian fighter badly hurt. “Da Monsoon” continued to pour on the punishment until the referee had seen enough.
Check out video of the finish below.
DA MONSOON!
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 8, 2024
Lorenz Larkin wastes no time and stops Levan Chokheli in the first round!#BellatorSanDiego | LIVE NOW on @SportsonMAX pic.twitter.com/BTx8CnEgfj
Chokheli found success early when he caught a Larkin kick and got a takedown, but then made the decision to let the former UFC welterweight back up. That proved to be costly as Larkin would land the blow that was the beginning of the end for Chokheli.
The official stoppage came at 1:53 of the opening round.
With the victory, Larkin has won two straight, and is unbeaten in 10 of his past 11 appearances.