After starting out his career unbeaten in five bouts, Ariel Gandulla got his title shot, taking on Doug Marshall in December of 2007. Gandulla was forced to tap out in just 55 seconds.

Since then there have been two more defeats and zero victories.

Gandulla returns Friday night looking for his first victory in almost two years when he takes on Danny Babcock in a middleweight bout at Action Fight League's 'Rumble at the Rock' at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

Coming back from three straight losses won't be hard for Gandulla to do. The 41-year old Cuban has had to battle tougher opponents in his life, one of them being the rough waters of the Caribbean sea.

Gandulla left Cuba for the U.S. in 1994 like many Cubans before him, and although surrounded by water and the possibility of being swallowed by the ocean below, he was happy.

"I was at sea for seven days, but I knew we would make it," Gandulla said. "All I knew is that I was free, that made me smile."

Gandulla was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and taken to Guantanamo Bay. Eventually he would make it to the states, living in Hartford, CT., before moving to Miami.

Not everyone was as lucky as Gandulla though. His 12-year old son and ex-wife departed Cuba on a raft, but never reached their destination.

"I always fight for him," Gandulla said. "I had told him I was a fighter here and he always wanted to see me fight, so I hope he's seeing me fight now."

The death of his son wasn't the only tragedy Gandulla has had to endure. When he left Cuba he left behind his mother, father and siblings. He dreamed of the day he would see all of them once again, but fate had other plans.

"I called Cuba one day to speak to my dad and wish him a happy Father's Day and my sister broke the news to me that he was dead," Gandulla said. "It was devastating. I felt like I wished I had drowned in the ocean."

To Gandulla three losses in a row is no big ordeal, or an adversity he can't take head on. Friday night's opponent will be just that - a mere opponent - in Gandulla's MMA career. It's a sport of punches, kicks, chokes, blood and guts, but a far more forgiving experience in Gandulla's life.

LEVEL DEBUTS

Also on the card is Rene Martinez. MMA fans know him better as 'Level,' the YouTube sensation who has been knocking opponents out in backyard brawls.

Level has been training at MMA Masters in preparation for his first organized bout versus Bounmy Somchay at 170 pounds.

The Action Fight League card features 11 fights with the first bell at 8 p.m.

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