Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Event Opener I
The camera panned out, showing the packed hall, filled with eager fans wearing Battle Xtreme merchandise and holding up signs with their favorite local fighters\' names.
The commentators\' table was set up ringside, with a clear view of the octagon.
The sound system blasted energetic music, getting the crowd pumped up for the first fight.
Michael continued, "We\'re live here in Stockton. The fans are eager to see some intense action, and we\'re sure to deliver."
Daniel nodded in agreement, "That\'s right, Michael. We have a stacked card tonight, with some of the toughest fighters in the league. It\'s going to be a wild ride."
The music blasted through the speakers, a high-energy beat that got the crowd moving.
A short, young man with sandy blond hair and bright blue eyes bounced into view, his enthusiasm infectious.
He was about 5\'5" with a lean, athletic build, and he moved with a confident swagger.
As he made his way to the cage, he stopped by a man who patted him for safety and asked him to for a cup check, "Cup?"
The young fighter obliged, and the cornerman gave him a quick once-over before applying a thin layer of Vaseline to his face
With that done, the young man continued on his way, his eyes fixed intently on the cage.
He climbed up the steps and stepped inside, his movements fluid and practiced.
The announcer, a tall, imposing figure in a tailored suit, stood in the center of the cage, a microphone in hand.
As the young man entered, the announcer\'s voice boomed out across the hall, "Introducing Edward Whittaker!"
The crowd responded with a mixture of applause and cheers, some people whistling and shouting his name.
Edward smiled, his bright blue eyes shining with excitement, and gave a quick wave to the crowd before turning to face his opponent.
As the music for Edward Whittaker\'s entrance faded away, a new soundtrack began to play, this one with a darker and more ominous tone.
The crowd\'s excitement didn\'t dwindle but rather shifted to a more anticipatory state, sensing the arrival of the next fighter.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his height almost identical to Edward\'s, around 5\'5".
His bald head glistened under the bright lights of the arena, and his slimmer body seemed to ripple with defined muscles as he moved.
With a focused expression, he made his way to the cage, his eyes fixed intently on the octagon.
He stopped by the same cornerman who had checked Edward and underwent the same safety protocols - a quick pat-down, a cup check, and a thin layer of Vaseline applied to his face for cuts.
As he climbed up the steps and entered the cage, his movements were fluid and deliberate, exuding a sense of calm confidence.
The announcer\'s voice boomed out once more, "Introducing Felix Grayson!"
The crowd responded with a mixture of applause and cheers, some people chanting his name, while others whistled and shouted words of encouragement.
Felix\'s expression remained focused, his eyes locked onto Edward Whittaker, his opponent for the night\'s battle.
Michael Bosley turned to Daniel Greene, his co-commentator, and asked, "Daniel, you know about Edward Whittaker and Felix Grayson, what can you tell us about them?"
Daniel nodded, his eyes lighting up with excitement, and began to break down the fighters.
"Well, this match is going to be exciting, let\'s start with Felix shall we?" Daniel said, his voice clear and concise. "Here we have a fighter with a decent record, 5-3, with a 2-win streak in his past fights. He\'s very skilled in Karate, has power and speed - what more do you need?
Felix is a force to be reckoned with, and his Karate background gives him an edge in terms of discipline and technique."
Daniel paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before moving on to Edward Whittaker. "And then we have Edward, a bit of a special case.
I\'ve heard he doesn\'t have any formal training, he\'s self-taught, but he\'s done incredibly well with a record of 2-1 and a win in his last fight.
He\'s a freestyle fighter, most of the time, but I\'ve seen inspiration from kickboxing in most of his moves, so I\'m sure he\'s got good power."
Daniel\'s eyes locked onto the camera, his expression serious. "What\'s interesting about Edward is that he\'s a wild card. Without formal training, he\'s had to rely on his natural ability and instincts to get this far. It\'s going to be fascinating to see how he matches up against Felix\'s more disciplined approach."
The camera cut to a shot of the two fighters, facing off in the octagon, their eyes locked in a fierce stare.
The referee, a seasoned official with a no-nonsense attitude, stood between the two fighters, his eyes scanning their faces as he went over the rules one last time. "Alright, gentlemen, let\'s go over this again. Three rounds, five minutes each. No eye-gouging, no groin shots. You know the drill."
Edward Whittaker and Felix Grayson nodded, their eyes locked in a fierce stare.
They touched gloves, a gesture of respect and sportsmanship, before stepping back to their respective corners.
The referee raised his hands, and the crowd fell silent, anticipating the start of the fight. "Ready? Ready? Fight!"
The bell rang out, and the two fighters sprang into action.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing off the walls of the arena as the two warriors were about to clash in the center of the octagon.