· Fight Lab 20 Live Round-By-Round Coverage

Thursday evening’s Fight Lab Promotions “Fight Lab 20” event from Coyote Joe's in Charlotte, NC featured a bevy of amazing fights. The main event of the evening featured future lightweight stars Kevin Forant and Micah Lail squaring off in a grudge match of sorts. Also featured on the card were highly touted prospects Kenneth “Pit” Crowder, Denison Pavia, and Nick “The Vanilla Gorilla” Smith.

Charles Wolff vs. Anthony Enclarde
Round 1 -  Enclarde comes out looking to clinch. He grabs for a guillotine, but cannot keep the hold. Wolf gets to side control, but lands an illegal knee, and is warned. When the action restarts Wolff gets a big slam takedown and begins to work with control of Enclarde’s back. He lands several big blasts from that position, and manages to ride Enclarde across the cage to his corner. With Enclarde turtled up Wolff looks to improve position. Enclarde gets back to his feet, but is still being controlled along the cage. The round ends, and Wolff takes it, likely 10-8.
Round 2 – Wolff gets back to the clinch quickly after the opening bell. He begins working a series of foot stomps and short punches to the body. Enclarde works hard to try to tie up Wolff, but cannot stall the action long enough to get a break from the referee. Wolff starts working to get the fight to the ground, but Enclarde does defend well, up until the bell. Another possible 10-8 round for Wolff.
Round 3 – Wolff gets a fast takedown to open the round. Enclarde turtles up again, and Wolf begins to pound away. The referee steps in to warn Enclarde about improving his position. Wolff moves to side control and drops several hammer fists until Enclarde moves back into the turtle position. Wolf continues to ride Enclarde’s back and repeatedly pounding shots to the body. The round and the fight ends with another possible 10-8 round for Wolff.
Official Decision – Charles Wolff wins by unanimous decision

Chris Schlaeppi vs. John Ramirez
Round 1 - Ramirez eats a jab to open the contest and imediately clinches. Both men work a some solid Muay Thai knees along the cage. Schlaeppi lands a good knee to the body as he tries to escape. Ramirez keeps the clinch and rides the fight to the ground. Schlaeppi gains mount quickly. Schlaeppi works hard to sweep, but Ramirez stays tight to him. Ramirez almost secures a keylock, before posturing up and landing a barage of punches. The referee steps in and stops the bout seconds before the final bell.
Official Decision - John Ramirez wins via TKO (strikes) at 2:59 of Round 1

Dylan Cala vs. Joo-Mien Choi
Round 1 - Choi lands a good body kick to open things up. Cala clinches, and lands a knee to the groin, stopping the action. When the action resumed Cala lands a crushing right that staggers Choi. Choi tries to escape, but Cala finishes him off with a flurry and the referee steps in to save Choi.
Official Decision - Dylan Cala wins by TKO (punches) at 0:30 of Round 1

Forrest Brown vs. Brandon O'Connell
Round 1 - A big body kick by O'Connell opens the bout. As he avoid the range of Brown he lands another. He goes for another, but this time Brown steps in and gets the clinch. Brown presses him up against the cage. As Brown tries to separate O'Connell goes for a takedown, but is stuffed. The action stalls in the clinch with neither man establishing a position. The bell sounds and O'Connell likely takes it based on the kicks to the body.
Round 2 - Brown comes out swinging to open the round and the action gets furious for a moment. O'Connell survives and manages to land a knee at the end of the furious attack. The two look for position along the ground, and Brown takes the top position. O'Connell looks to work from the bottom, and uses an near omoplata to sweep. With seconds left in the round O'Connell tries to secure a guillotine, but cannot finish. Close round like went to Brown.
Round 3 - O'Connell lands another good kick to open the round, but the fight quickly moves back to the ground. O'Connell holds Brown in position from side control, but is unable to do any damage with the position. O'Connell appears to be looking for a kimura, but Brown has it defended easily. O'Connell gets to mount with the round coming to a close, but cannot do anything with it before the bell. O'Connell takes the final round.
Official Decision - Brandon O'Connell wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jason Salvo vs. Cory Von Egidy
Round 1 - Von Egidy comes out trying to establish the jab. Both men trade some good shots in an early exchange. Von Egidy gets a nice takedown, but is swept by Salvo. Salvo slowly slides Von Egidy toward the cage. From the guard Salvo is able to land a couple decent punches. Von Egidy gets control of a wrist briefly, but loses it and allows Salvo to posture up. Salvo lands a few more short punches, but Von Egidy does well to defend against big shots. Salvo stands, pushes the legs aside, and lands a good diving punch. The round ends with Salvo in control. 10-9 Salvo.
Round 2 - Von Egidy opens the round a good shot to the body and a left. He lands another jab and works a few rights to the body. Salvo counters a body shot with a good right. Both men exchange jabs. Von Egidy catches a leg kick attempt, but as he looks for the takedown, Salvo catches his neck. Von Egidy works out of the submission attempt and stands. Von Egidy lands a right to the temple, and backs Salvo up. Salvo lands a jab and Von Egidy answers with a big right. Another right drops Salvo and Von Egidy dives in for the finish. Salvo survives the initial onslaught, but Von Egidy continues to pressure. The referee lets them fight on and the bell sounds with Salvo in trouble. Round 2 definitely belonged to Von Egidy, 10-9.
Round 3 - Both men look fatigued to open the round. Salvo lands a left and Von Egidy falls. Salvo moves in for the finish and lands repeated hammerfists and punches from the open guard. Von Egidy ties up and looks to recover, but gets mounted. Von Egidy rolls over to avoid the strikes, and Salvo wraps his arm around his neck, finishing off the fight with a rear-naked choke.
Official Decision - Jason Salvo wins by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:58 of Round 3

Brock Ison vs. Denison Paiva
Round 1 - Paiva lands a left early. He lands another, but Ison answers with a good right. The go to the ground breifly, and both get big sweeps before getting back to their feet. Paiva gets a good takedown against the cage, and looks to advance. Ison keeps his legs wide to avoid being mounted. Ison wall walks to get back to his feet. Paiva again elevates him and slams him to the mat. Ison uses his underhooks to keep Paiva from striking. The bell sounds with Paiva still on top. 10-9 round for Paiva.
Round 2 - Paiva lands an inside leg kick and counters an Ison jab with an outside lewg kick. Ison throws a flurry, but lands little. On the exit Paiva lands a haymaker and drops Ison. Paiva jumps on top and lands several more shots before the referee calls a stop to the action.
Official Decision - Denison Paiva wins by TKO (strikes) at 1:11 of Round 2

Nick Smith vs. Jarrett Smotrilla
Round 1 - Smotrilla, standing several inches over Smith gets taken down quickly. Smotrilla looks for a heel hook, but Smith escapes. Smotrilla stands and clinches. Smith looks for the takedown, Smotrilla pins him into the cage and lands a few knees. Smotrilla finally completes the takedown, but Smith quickly looks for an armbar. Smotrilla avoids the attempt, and looks to cause damage from the top. Smith rolls free and takes the top position. Smotrilla pushes Smith off, but cannot get his back off the ground. Smith lands a few standing kicks to the thigh before the round closes. A close round likely will be scored for Smotrilla.
Round 2 - Smith takes the center of the cage as Smotrilla circles. Smotrilla stops briefly to land a jab. Smotrilla misses with a big right. The two clinch briefly. Smotrilla lands another jab, as Smith tries to walk him down. Smotrilla lands a solid combination, sending Smith to look for the takedown. Smith lands a booming right hand, and quickly secures a takedown. Smith postures up, landing a pair of right hands. Smotrilla works to control the posture of his opponent, and is successful throught the end of the round. This round goes to Nick Smith.
Round 3 - Smotrilla misses with a combination, but lands a left on his next exchange. Smith moves in for the takedown, pressing Smotrilla into the cage. The two jockey for position until Smith separates and lands a good right. As Smotrilla ducks his head Smith lataches on to a guillotine, and rolls Smotrilla over. Smotrilla taps out quickly.
Official Decision - Nick Smith wins by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:04 of Round 3

Brian Karmolinski vs. D'Juan Owens
Round 1 - Karmolinski engages first with a leg kick. Owens then attacks with a hook to the body. Karmolinski pushes the action into the cage. Owens stuffs a takedown attempt and looks to take the back. Karmolinski switches and takes Owens' back. Owens gets free and grabs a wrist looking for a kimura. Karmolinski rolls out of it, but is on the bottom. Owens gets mount then peppers away until the referee stops the bout.
Official Decision - D'Juan Owens wins by TKO (strikes) at 2:24 of Round 1

Kenneth Crowder vs. Shane Tyner
Round 1 - Crowder comes out looking to take the fight to the ground. He gets the early takedown and stacks Tyner up along the cage. Tyner sneaks his legs up high, but Crowder eases out. Crowder pounds away at the ribs while Tyner again throws the legs high. Tyner briefly has a reverse triangle, but once Crowder passes he lands in side control. Crowder lands a knee to the body, and works a neck crank. Tyner frees himself of it, but cannot get out from underneath Crowder. Crowder moves back to half guard, and postures up with some solid ground-and-pound. Tyner gets a gogoplata position before the bell, but cannot get the submission before the bell sounds. Crowder takes the first round 10-9, easily.
Round 2 - Crowder gets a quick takedown to open the second round. He pressure Tyner with more urgency this round. Although Crowder is controlling the top position and doing damage, Tyner continues to threaten with submissions from the bottom. Crowder starts to open up with some elbows, cutting Tyner. The referee stops the action to check Tyner's ear. Apparently Tyner lost part of his ear, but the referee allows the fight to continue. With the action back in Crowder comes alive, landing several diving punches. Tyner stands, and eats a flying knee. Crowder picks him up and dumps him back to the floor. Tyner locks a body triangle from the bottom, but Crowder breaks free from that quickly. Crowder stacks Tyner back up and lands several lefts before the round closes. Crowder likely takes the round 10-8.
Round 3 - Crowder lands a knee to the body to start the round, then pushes his opponent across the cage, lifting him high in the air, and dumping him on his back. Crowder goes to work with hammer fists, before Tyner regains guard. Crowder stacks Tyner up in the corner and continues his methodical assault. Tyner rolls, but Crowder stays right with him. Crowder stands and lets Tyner up. He lands a good overhand right, before taking Tyner back to the mat. Crowder takes Tyner's back and begins to wail away. Tyner rolls over and lands an up kick, before getting back in top control. Crowder stands and forces Tyner back to his feet. The bell rings, ending the fight with Crowder dominating another round.
Official Decision - Kenneth Crowder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Joseph Carroll vs. Kurtis Cloward
Round 1 - Cloward comes out pumping the jab. Carroll connects with a right hook. Cloward lands a slapping leg kick. Cloward lands a pair of leg kicks followed by a jab. Carroll returns fire with a big hook, snapping Cloward's head back. Carroll clinches and gets a good front slam. On the ground, and on top, Carroll lands several peppering shots. Cloward scrambles and stands, then pulls guard for a guillotine, but Carroll is quickly free. Carroll lands a series of elbows from half guard. Cloward again scrambles and stands. Cloward lands a jab, before Carroll looks for another takedown. Cloward avoids briefly, but is eventually put to the floor. Carroll looks for a kimura as the round closes. Carroll takes the round 10-9.
Round 2 - Cloward strikes first with a push kick to the shin of Carroll, taking him off his feet. As Carroll stands, Cloward just misses on a head kick. Carroll gets the takedown and swims around to Cloward's back. He goes to work looking for a rear-naked choke. Cloward avoids it, but is still trapped on the bottom. Cloward scrambles back to his feet. Carroll looks for a single leg, but Cloward defends nicely. Cloward connects with a right, then a knee. Carroll clinches, and looks for another takedown. Cloward lands a solid knee from the clich then a right. Another couple of knees, but Carroll stays alive by clinching. Cloward rocks Carroll's jaw with a good right-left combination, but Carroll gets the takedown just before the bell. Clowad takes this round.
Round 3 - Cloward opens the round with a combination started off by a leg kick. Carroll though, continues to get out of tight spots with his takedowns. Carroll on top, looks for a choke, but again Cloward scrambles back to his feet. Cloward lands a head kick, then a low leg kick. Two jumping knees from the clinch land, before Carroll takes the fight back to the floor. With Carroll on top, Cloward pushes his head down and lands a couple of elbows from the bottom. Carroll looks to pass the guard, but gets his leg trapped. Cloward traps his neck and wraps up full guard, looking for a guillotine. It's an arm-in guillotine, so Carroll is able to keep from tapping until the final bell. Cloward likely takes the round, in an very action packed fight.
Official Decision - Kurtis Cloward wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Kevin Forant vs. Micah Lail
Round 1 - Both men connect on jabs quickly. Lail lands anoher, but Forant gets the clinch and the takedown. Lail goes for an armbar from the bottom. Forant stands and tries to slam out of it, but is still in trouble. Forant stacks him up and lefts a couple short lefts. Forant finally gets his arm free. Lail gets back to his feet, and looks for the takedown. Forant stuffs it and pins Lail into the cage. Forant lands a couple of knees to the body. The two battle for position along the cage. Forant lands a good knee and keeps the pressure on Lail against the cage. Lail gets the switch momentarily, before Forant takes it back. The round ends with the two battling along the cage. The opening round should be scored 10-9 for Forant.
Round 2 - Lail comes out winging to open the round, but Forant puts him right back against the cage. Forant works hard for the takedown, and finally gets it. Forant passes to side control, and then to mount. Lail tries to roll, but Forant holds him in position. Lail spins back and forth, but cannot shake Forant from his mount. Forant lands a flurry from the top before Lail tries to spin again. Forant continues to ground-and-pound his opponent as the referee takes a close look at stopping it. Forant continues the assault and finally the fight is stopped.
Official Decision - Kevin Forant wins by TKO (strikes) at 3:46 of Round 2