Fight Lab brings pain to SJ with MMA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Sixteen fighters, each with the goal of proving they are the best, battled past bloodshed as they participated in mixed martial arts cage fights at the 916th Corrosion Hangar here, March 25.

From unlikely contestants, such as 125-pound Tyler Brogden who knocked out his challenger, to intimidating opponents like Kevin Kenna from the U.S. Army, these men competed in amateur fights hosted by Fight Lab Promotions and the 4th Force Support Squadron. For some fighters, this was their first documented bout in the cage, a fact not easily noticeable, as body slams and throat punches were plentiful throughout the night.

"These are usually some of the more exciting fights, as most of these guys are trying to prove they have what it takes," said Michael Allen, master of ceremony and announcer for the event.

Allen, a former MMA fighter, now trains and matches up new fighters according to weight class. When fighters know they are coming to military bases, they get more pumped up, he said.

"It's really hard not to get excited at these fights," Allen said. "We love to come out and do this for the Airmen here, and we had some really hungry fighters on the card."

After an official weigh-in at the base fitness center, fighters received personalized tours of the base by Airmen from various career fields who volunteered to sponsor them. While some fighters visited base locations such as the fire department and the air traffic control tower, one fighter went back to work to finish out his duty day.

Staff Sgt. Justin Snow, an expediter from the 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, decided to try his hand at another MMA fight after losing his first fight more than a year ago.

"It's a very humbling experience to lose," Sergeant Snow said. "It made me want to train harder and longer. You just don't want to lose again."

Supported by the 4th AMXS and the Seymour Johnson community, Sergeant Snow took his determination to the octagon and defeated Adam Freidman by submission in 2 minutes and 21 seconds of the first round.

One of the most intense fights featured Antonio Woodard and Kenneth Crowder, who are both under 5 foot 6 inches tall, and seemed to have underlying tension as they attempted to brutalize each other in the cage during the co-main event. The only fight that ended in a decision that night ended with Crowder as the unanimous winner.

The title bout lasted 29 seconds into the second round and ended with the champion, Mike Powell, retaining his title after administering several body slams and face shots to his opponent, Salah Hemidach.

Fight Lab Promotions hopes to return to Seymour Johnson this August to showcase more fighters and give Airmen here another good show.