Fight Lab 16 Charlotte, NC Recap and Highlights

The Venue was held at the NC Music Factory at the Silver Hammer Music Studio in Charlotte, NC and was a packed event. Fight Lab did an excellent job with the entire event, and the choice of fighters could not have been better.  Not one fight went to decision.  There were nine fights with one female bout, two professional fights and four amateur title fights. 

1. To start the night off, William Brown vs. Brock Ison got the crowd all worked up. Both fighters came to the cage with serious looks and were ready to get to work. The Middleweight fight was fast paced, with Brown missing the first shot and Ison countering with a right that sent Brown staggering around the cage. Brown regained his composure, but while doing do, Ison attempted a choke hold on Brown but was not successful with securing a submission early in the first. There was a nice reversal by  Brown that left Ison on his back. Brown was dominant during the middle and end of round one. 

Round two started off with Brown landing a partial spinning back fist, Then, the two exchanged blows and Brown gets the takedown, where Ison attempts a kimura from the bottom which nearly stops the fight. Multiple attempts from Ison finally prove successful, as he secures a RNC midway through the second round and is crowned the Fight Lab Middleweight Champion. 

2. Followed immediately after was the Toni Vermiglio vs. Daniella Urban(120lb) female fight. Vermiglio was the aggressor from the start, with knees to the chest and kicks. Both ladies exchanged some hard hits during the first round, but when the fight was taken to the ground, it was an all out war, with Vermiglio doing the majority of damage and controlling her opponent.

It was a short lived second round when Vermiglio got the takedown on Urban and contstant strikes to the head and face of Urban until the referee called the fight a TKO due to strikes early in the second round. Great match up and night for Vermiglio. 

3. Tony Scarlett and Joe Pacheco were up next in the Light Heavyweight Division, with Pacheco landing a very hard right to Scarlett’s chin. The strike was very intense and allowed Pacheco to push Scarlett against the fence for some back on metal time. Pacheco was pounding Scarlett with so many heavy hits so fast that the fight was quickly stopped by verbal submission. 

4. The No. 1 contender, Kevin Hulin, took on Flyweight Champion Forrest Brown. Brown entered the cage with a slight smirk on his face, but that would prove to be short lived. Hulin went straight to work with a big leg kick and a slam that made the entire venue shake. Brown attempts a Guillotine, but can’t secure it, and Hulin escapes and works from half guard and begins to walk up the cage. Hulin locks in a Guillotine, and Brown tries to escape it by standing up, but the lock is way too tight and Brown is forced to tap.  The new champ, Hulin proved he was worthy of this title shot with just over two minutes into the first round. 

5. Ryan Freeman vs. Chris Davis fighting for the Light Heavyweight Amateur Title began by Freeman opening up with multiple jabs, but Davis counters with some haymakers of his own. Davis attempts to gain cage control by rushing his opponent to landing body shots, but Freeman was holding his own and returning the favor. Freeman lands a hard shot to Davis, and this causes him to have to regroup, then another huge blow to the nose of Davis that sent blood splattering everywhere. The fight is stopped by the doctor due to a broken nose. The crowd was not happy with this decision, but it was a decision that was made to keep Davis from sustaining further injury. 

6. Kevin Forant (The Master of Cool) TMOC would square off with Jason Lineberger for the Amateur Lightweight Championship. Forant is dominant at the start; both fighters exchange punches, then Lineberger secures a takedown. When Forant stands, Lineberger is able to land a combination. Forant counters with some big knees and then Lineberger gets another takedown and lands some good shots while towering over Forant. Lineberger appears to have to slight edge at the end of the first.

The second round would prove much more beneficial to Forant, who opens the round with a jab then a takedown. Forant gets the mount, and the punches start flying, and that, my friends, is the end of the story. TMOC is crowned the LW Champion just 56 seconds into the second round by TKO due to strikes. What a way for the new champ to end his ammy career. TMOC will be making his pro debut this September. 

7. Mike Powell vs. Christian Brunetti go step into the cage to see who is worthy of the FL Featherweight Amateur Title. Powell is the aggressor from the start and lands a nice combination. Brunetti pulls guard and attempts a Guillotine, but Powell easily escapes and immediately lands another stunning combination. Powell lands some vicious knees and then drops to his knees and takes Brunetti over with a fireman’s carry. Brunetti is able to regain to position, and both men attempt a leg lock, but Brunetti is forced to let Powell stand on his feet. Then the two of them lock up on the cage and Powell lands let another powerful knee. Brunetti attempts another Guillotine but can’t get it properly secured, and Powell shows no signs of being of danger and stays in that position until the round ends.

Second round begins with Powell landing a straight left to Brunetti, then a right which causes Brunetti to go to the ground. Powell follows Brunetti to the ground and traps him in a triangle choke. Powell retains his FL Featherweight Belt. 

The Co and main events were professional bouts at the Middleweight and Featherweight Divisions. 

8. First up would be Ricky Rainey “The Sniper” vs. John Constantatos. Constantatos begins as the aggressor who can keep up with the speed of Rainey, but finally gets a small slam. Rainey rolls his hips and pops up. Constantatos lands a knee from the clinch, while Rainey lands a brutal series of elbows that force Constantatos to relinquish his takedown attempt. Constantatos pushes forward, but Rainey lands a detrimental left that leaves his opponent on his back in the cage while The Sniper celebrates his victory by KO in the very first round. 

9. The main event of the night, Keith Richardson vs. Jon Owens, opens with Richardson landing some quick and solid kicks. Richardson continues to brutalize Owens with a big slam. They tie up for a moment, with Richardson getting in half guard, but Owens gets full guard and almost escapes, but with the strength and agility of Richardson. Owens takes an elbow to the face, which leaves a small cut under his eye.  Owens is finally able to make it back to his feet, but only for a moment. Richardson clearly was in control of the fight.

When the bell rang for the second round, The Rock Star takes it to the ground, where he gets side control and is powerfully cranks the arm until Owens can’t take the pain anymore and is submitted by an Americana in  29 seconds.

Fight Lab 16 was a great success thanks to the fans, fighters, Fight Lab staff and the NC Boxing Commission.  Fight Lab with be promoting another show in October. If you missed this one, you will have a chance to see the stars of Fight Lab shine again soon.