As soon as the bell rang, Edward Whittaker shot out of his corner, his movements explosive.
He feinted with a left jab, testing Felix Grayson's reaction.
Felix, composed and focused, kept his guard high, stepping to the side and circling away from Edward's power hand.
Edward didn't waste time. He closed the distance with a quick one-two combination, snapping a jab straight down the middle.
Felix slipped the jab and countered with a low leg kick that smacked against Edward's lead leg, the impact reverberating through the octagon.
Edward winced but didn't slow down. He switched his stance briefly, throwing a quick overhand right.
Felix ducked under it, using his Karate discipline to stay calm under pressure. He snapped back up with a straight right hand of his own, catching Edward on the chin.
Edward staggered back, more surprised than hurt.
He quickly regained his footing, shaking off the strike.
Felix took a half-step forward, his footwork precise, and launched a powerful body kick that thudded into Edward's side.
Edward grunted, feeling the sting of the blow, but immediately fired back with a heavy right hand that Felix barely blocked.
The crowd roared as the fighters exchanged blows.
Felix moved smoothly, his Karate background evident in his accurate strikes and controlled movements.
He threw a quick front kick, which Edward hardly evaded, the tip of Felix's toes grazing his midsection.
Edward, relying on his instincts, launched a wild flurry of punches.
He was unpredictable, mixing in hooks, uppercuts, and a straight left that kept Felix guessing.
Felix used his agility to avoid the most dangerous shots, but Edward's relentless attack forced him to back up against the cage.
Sensing an opportunity, Edward pressed forward, throwing a vicious left hook aimed at Felix's head.
Felix, in a split-second decision, ducked under the hook and exploded forward with a powerful double-leg takedown, lifting Edward off his feet and slamming him to the canvas.
Edward winced, pain radiating from his ribs, but he didn't let it stop him.
He fired off a quick jab to keep Felix at bay, then moved off the cage with a burst of speed, re-engaging in the center of the octagon.
With the crowd on their feet, the fighters continued to trade shots.
Edward's freestyle unpredictability clashed beautifully with Felix's disciplined technique.
Neither man gave an inch, each strike more powerful than the last.
As the round drew to a close, Felix landed a crisp right cross, causing Edward's head to snap back. Edward retaliated with a powerful left hook that landed clean on Felix's cheek.
The two men were breathing heavily, their bodies bruised and battered, but their determination unwavering.
The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the round.
The fighters stepped back, sweat dripping from their bodies, their faces marked by the exchange of blows.
They gave each other a brief nod of respect before turning to their corners.
The first round had set the stage for an all-out war, and everyone in the arena knew that the best was yet to come.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the first round, Felix Grayson made his way to his corner, where his coach was waiting with a towel and a water bottle.
The coach, a seasoned veteran with a calm demeanor, quickly set to work, giving Felix advice while checking for any injuries.
"Felix, listen up," the coach said, his voice steady and focused. "You did well with your kicks, but you need to keep your distance a bit more. Edward's coming in wild, and he's catching you with those hooks. Keep using your jab to control the range."
Felix nodded, taking deep breaths as his coach continued. "You've got the right idea with the low kicks. They're slowing him down, but don't get too predictable. Mix it up with some feints and keep him guessing."
The coach wiped sweat from Felix's face. "Stay sharp and don't let him catch you off guard. You're letting him get too close."
Felix drank from the water bottle, his eyes locked on his coach. "Got it. I'll keep my distance and be more careful."
The coach nodded approvingly. "Exactly. Also, watch for his wild spinning attacks.
He's trying to catch you with something flashy. Stay focused and counter when you see the openings."
Felix took a deep breath, feeling more confident. "Thanks. I'll use my range better and avoid those big swings."