· Fight Lab “Misery Loves Company III” Results

Charlotte, NC (January 29, 2011) – Fight Lab Promotions returned to the Grady Cole Center, site of UFC 3, with "Misery Loves Company III" on Saturday, January 29 in Charlotte, N.C. The third installment of the popular fight series featured eleven MMA cage fights, with four of the eleven bouts contested for Fight Lab championships. It was a great night of action as several young fighters began their MMA careers, while others continued their journey toward stardom.

The final fight of the night pitted veteran Micah Lail (8-5) against up-and-comer Nick Smith (3-1) for the vacated Fight Lab welterweight title. Lail, a Guerrilla Tactics fighter from Conover, NC, had triumphed in four of his last five bouts. He brings Golden Gloves boxing experience into the cage but has also utilized effective ground-and-pound and submission skills to prevail in past outings. Meanwhile, the upstart Smith had only one loss on his record, and his previous three wins all featured impressive finishes. In the end, Lail just could not overcome the constant pressure from Nick Smith as he was forced to tap out with just one second left on the clock in the fourth round.

The evening’s co-main event was a heavyweight title tussle between Chris Sutton (4-0) and Bobby Gurley (3-1). The 6’ 6” Sutton, fighting out of Wilmington, brought an undefeated record into the bout. He represented a tall order for Gurley. With both fighters having wrestling backgrounds the fight was likely to be contested on the mat. The fight went to the ground quickly, and although Gurley looked stronger throughout the first round, Sutton would win by submission early in the second to fill the vacated Fight Lab heavyweight title.

In additional championship action, Amos Collins stepped in on just three days notice to face champion Chris Smith (5-3) for the Fight Lab lightweight title. Before that bout Fight Lab light heavyweight champion Brandon Beach (3-1) returned from injury to defend his title against Ferdinando Acerra.

“We had a great crowd with some really good fights. I’m very happy with tonight. I want to thank the fans for coming out to support us. And our great sponsors Bojangles’, Monster Energy Drink, and Sam’s Mart for helping us put on another successful event,” said Fight Lab executive Kenny Letts.

Full Card Details For "Misery Loves Company III"

Bradley Essick vs. Kevin Forant
Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Essick shoots in quickly. The two tie up against the cage. Forant switches it up and gets Essick to the ground. Forant works for a rear naked choke. After fending it off foe nearly a minute, Essick gives it up and Forant walks away with a submission victory.

Kevin Forant wins by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:34 in Round 1

Sergio Bollo vs. Derek Hyatt
Lightweight Bout (155 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Hyatt comes out with a big right, stuffing two early takedown attempts. Bollo though is quick and keeps the pressure on. Bollo lands a good kick, countered by Hyatt. The rangy 6’2” Hyatt is proving tough to reach though. Hyatt lands a good jab. Bollo rushes in and the two trade a good exchange. Hyayatt lands a two good rights and backs up Bollo. Hyatt again lands a a good exchange to the body as the round closes. Hyatt takes the opening round 10-9.

Round 2 –  Bollo having to work from the outside now, avoiding the power. He shoots off of a jab, but cannot get in. Bollo lands a hard leaping right and staggers Hyatt.  He immediately pounces and blasts away with shot after shot. Hyatt survives the first flurry only to get blasted again. Finally the referee sees enough and stops the fight. Bollo takes home the TKO win.

Sergio Bollo wins by TKO (strikes) at 0:57 of Round 2

Josh Cepeda vs. Adam Friedman
Welterweight Bout (170 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Cepeda flies out of the gate landing a great body shot and bowling over Friedman. Friedman scrambles back to feet quickly, bur Cepeda holds a and ankle keeps him in his grasp. Back on the ground Cepeda gets mount but is quickly swept. The fight continues on the ground, with each man sweeping and taking position quickly. Cepeda gets an arm and takes control. Friedman tries to get free, but Cepeda stays on top. The two stand back up and Cepeda again lands a good shot, but looks to be fading fast. The round closes at a crawling pace compared to the opening round. Cepeda takes it though 10-9.

Round 2 –  Cepeda jabs, but is taken down by Friedman. He gets free, but Friedman gets him right back down. Friedman on top in half-guard, looking for an advantage. Cepeda gets back to guard, and Cepeda looks to survive the position. Friedman postures up and lands a couple big shots. Cepeda kicks away and Friedman looks for an armbar, but misses. Cepeda then takes the top, but is swept quickly by Friedman. Friedman gets to side control and looks for the ground-and-pound. The round closes with Friedman on top and taking the round 10-9.

Round 3 –  Both men are dead tired to open up the third. Cepeda throws a slow jab, but its slipped. Cepeda lands a leg kick and gets a strong takedown. Cepeda on top, not doing much damage. Friedman lands a good punch from the bottom. Friedman throws his legs up for an armbar, but Cepeda escapes.  Friedman gets up briefly, but is taken right back down by Cepeda. Cepeda passes to mount. Cepeda ends the round in mount pounding away. Cepeda takes the round easily and likely the fight.

Josh Cepeda wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)


Oliver Charles vs. Roy Hughes, Jr.
Welterweight Bout (170 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Charles throws a big right off the bell. Hughes though answers with a big punch of his own. Both guys are throwing with bad intentions, loading up on every punch. Hughes gets the takedown and ties up Charles. Hughes takes the mount and looks to break posture. Charles covers up as Hughes lays down some big rights. Charles rolls over, giving up his back. As Hughes looks for the choke, Charles sweeps and ends up on top. Charles closes the round in Hughes’ guard, but Hughes should have taken a 10-9 round.

Round 2 –  Charles opens up with a good jab, Hughes misses on a combination. Charles lands a leg kick.  As Charles steps in for a jab Hughes lands a haymaker uppercut. Charles’ eyes close and his body goes stiff as he falls back first to the ground. Hughes takes a thunderous knockout victory.

Roy Hughes, Jr wins by KO (uppercut) at 1:01 of Round 2


Chris Davis vs. Ryan Curtis
Light Heavyweight Bout (205 lbs.)

Round 1 – Davis puts on the pressure early, pinning Curtis into the cage. Davis working for the position. Davis with a foot stomp. Curtis working hard to get free, but can’t get free. Curtis with a little dirty boxing, but not doing much damage. The round closes with the two still clinched. Davis takes the round, but a terrible round for action lovers.

Round 2 –  Curtis misses on a jab, Davis answers with a hook. Davis hurts him with a left, and Curtis shoots. Davis sprawls and delivers a few more good punches. Davis with double underhooks lands a hard knee to the body. Davis with a few short hooks. Curtis answers with a straight right and looks to shoot again. The two stand and separate and trade wild punches. The round closes out with Davis likely taking another round.

Round 3 –  Curtis, with mouth wide open, lands a leg kick, but is quickly pinned into the cage. Davis with a tight body lock, but does nothing with it. Curtis with a stiff jab, but Davis walks through it, pinning him back into the cage. Davis lands a knee, but the two continue to nullify each other along the cage. Curtis pushes away. Davis lands and short left, dropping Curtis to the mat. Davis working hard to finish, but the bell sounds. Chris Davis takes home the round and the win.

Chris Davis wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)


Denison Paiva vs. Devan Stevenson
Middleweight Bout (185 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Paiva comes out off the bat with a takedown and quickly looks to work his ground game.  Stevenson tries to sweep, nut Paiva stays on and takes mount. Paiva pins an arm and lands a few good pounches, He transitions quickly to the back and deliver more shots until the referee steps in and save Stevenson. Paiva with a good TKO win in his debut.

Denison Paiva wins by TKO (punches) at 1:46 of Round 1

John Hening vs. Antonio Woodard
Bantamweight Bout (135 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Hening working his jab early, but Woodard catches him and gets a good takedown. Woodard in half-guard, looking for position. Hening bleeding from a possible head butt. Woodard continues to pressure, but Hening is setting up a triangle. Woodard elevates and slams himself out of the position.  Hening goes for the triangle choke again. The round closes with Woodard still in a dominant position, 10-9.

Round 2 –  Hening comes in and clinches. Hening lands a good knee, but Woodard pushes through him for a takedown. Hening trying to tie him up from his back. Woodard sliding his opponent into the fence, almost gets caught in a shoulder lock, but escapes. The referee stands the men up after a stall in action. Hening shoots, but Woodard sprawls and avoids the takedown. As Hening pushes on, Woodard switches his hips to end up on top. Woodard takes another round 10-9.

Round 3 –  Hening ducks under an opening hook, and clinches, trying to pull Woodard down. Woodard keeps his balance and has Hening pinned. Woodard spins and ends up in Hening’s guard. Woodard breaks Hening’s grip and postures up. Hening doing a good job of avoiding damage, but cannot get out from under Woodard. Woodard in side control lands a short elbow. Hening goes for an armbar, but Woodard elevates and slams himself out of it just before the bell. Antonio Woodard likely takes a unanimous decision victory.

Antonio Woodard wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)


Brandon Beach vs. Ferdinando Acerra
Fight Lab Light Heavyweight Title Bout (205 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Beach lands a lead jab, Acerra with a counter. Beach gets a quick takedown. Acerra with a tight guard, leaving little room for Beach. Acerra throws up a triangle attempt. Beach narrowly escapes getting locked in by slamming his way out. Acerra takes the top position in the scramble. Acerra postures up and lands a couple good strikes.  Beach boxing the ears from the bottom. As Acerra pushes forward Beach catches Acerra with a straight arm bar.

Brandon Beach wins by submission (arm lock) at 3:30 of Round 1


Amos Collins vs. Chris Smith
Fight Lab Lightweight Title  (155 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Collins opens things up with a leg kick. Smith answers with one of his own. Collins lands a kick a little too low, stalling the action. Collins sticks a jab as Smith throws a low leg kick. Smith lands a good jab to the body. As the two circle they take turns exchanging one strike at a time. Collins lands a glancing hook, Smith answers with the same. As the round draws towards the end, the pace stays unusually slow. But a quick flurry by Collins, brings a little excitement. The round closes with an exchange of kicks and leaping punches. Tough round to score, Collins likely takes it 10-9.

Round 2 –  Smith with a jab and a leg kick to open up the round. Collins still looking for an opening. Smith again lands a strong leg kick. Collins with a leg kick. The two are still trading one strike at a time, neither man willing to commit too deep. The crowd becomes restless as the two continue to circle one another. Smith lands a good jab. Collins with a leg kick. Collins counters a jab with a straight kick to the body. Smith backs Collins up with a one-two combination, but backs away quickly. Collins lands another straight kick as Smith comes in. Smith takes another oddly awkward round, 10-9.

Round 3 –  Smith lands a good kick to open the round. Still no commitment to more than one strike at a time from either man. Collins lands a couple of leg kicks. Collins with a straight jab, Smith answers with a hook. Collins shoots but is easily stuffed. Collins with a superman punch. Collins again has his takedown stuffed, Smith then looks for the takedown. Smith digging low for a single leg, but Collins isn’t giving up the takedown. Finally Smith rides the fight to the ground as the round closes.

Round 4 – Collins lands a leg kick and straight kick to open the round. Smith  with a left hand. Smith lands a good jab to the body. Smith checks a leg kick. Collins pressing forward a bit more this round, working a front kick. Smith answers looks to work the body. The two tie up along the cage. Smith looks for a takedown, and eventually gets it. Little action from this position, Smith looks to pass in the final ten seconds, but cannot complete it before the close of the round. Smith likely takes this round too, 10-9, but could be very close based on the lack of action.

Round 5 – The action is a little quicker this round. Collins doubling up on strikes, Smith looking for a takedown. He finally completes the takedown, and looks to land something substantial. Collins slides up the cage and looks for a guillotine, but it slips off easily. Collins gets to guard as the two hand fight for position. Collins ties Smith up, avoiding damage. The referee stands the fight back up. Smith checking a kick but not advancing. As the final bell sounds, the crowd expresses some displeasure with the fight. Smith takes the final round, 10-9.

Amos Collins wins by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Chris Sutton vs. Bobby Gurley
Fight Lab Heavyweight Title Bout (205-265 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Gurley lands a big right hand early, staggering Sutton. He quickly moves in looking for a guillotine. He loses it and the position. Sutton backs away, but as Gurley stands he’s caught with an uppercut.  After a brief scramble, Gurley secure the top position and looks to press from half-guard. Gurley continuing to look for a dominant position. Sutton doing a good job of protecting from any damage. The round closes with Sutton on top, but it probably wasn’t enough to take the round from Gurley.

Round 2 –  The two clinch immediately off the bell. Gurley presses Sutton into the cage. Sutton reaches down for a guillotine, drops to his back and forces the submission as soon as they hit the ground.

Chris Sutton wins by submission (guillotine) at 1:00 of Round 2


Nick Smith vs. Micah Lail
Fight Lab Welterweight Title Bout (170 lbs.)

Round 1 –  Both men circle early. Smith shoots first, getting a quick takedown. Smith pressing hard pinning Lail against the cage. Smith looks or mount as Lail tries to defend Smith’s punches. Lail gets back to his feet, but Smith quickly slams him back to the mat. Lail looking for an armbar, but Smith elevates and slams him. Lail holds on to the submission, but doesn’t have it secured yet. Lail working hard to straighten out the arm. Smith survives the submission attempt for nearly a minute. Good opening round, likely taken by Smith, 10-9.

Round 2 –  Smith again with a quick takedown. He grabs a front headlock. He squeezes and smartly doesn’t give up position looking for the guillotine. Lail escapes, and is battling hard against the cage, lands a good knee. Smith still pressing the action holding Lail against the fence. Lail swims over the top and secures a better position, but is still trapped against the cage. Lail pulls guard for a guillotine, but Smith slips out as they hit the ground. Smith on top, gains mount as the round closes. Close round, almost finished by both fighters. Likely a 10-10 round.

Round 3 –  Smith shoots immediately, getting the fight back down. Lail working hard from his back, looking for a submission. Smith though takes his back after Lail misses a sweep. Lail rolls over, but is mounted and flattened out. Smith opens up with the hands, landing short punches. Lail tries to spin, but Smith never loses his position. Smith still pounding away. Lail tries to roll, but Smith keeps control, locking in a body triangle. Lail rolls over again, and takes several more big punches. Lail survives, but likely loses the round 10-8.

Round 4 – Smith comes out slower this time, just waiting for Lail to attack. Smith lands a flush spinning back fist. Lail gets pushed into the cage again. Smith drags Lail down with a whizzer. Smith in side control, quickly advancing to mount. Lail battling hard to stay out of trouble, but cannot get out from under Smith. Smith looking for an arm crusher, but that vanishes quickly. Smith locks in a rear-naked choke and Lail taps out at the bell. Nick Smith wins by submission.

Nick Smith wins by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of Round 4

Since their first event in March of 2009, Fight Lab Promotions has established itself as the premiere martial arts organization in the Southeast. For more information on Fight Lab Promotions, visit www.FightLabPros.com, follow on Twitter @FightLab, or become a fan on Facebook