Odin vs. Magnus

[Director Troutman]

Standard tournament fodder, you're fighting in the same location as Dain would normally host the Fighters League, but with a few small changes...

• The 'ring' is an octagon, similar to UFC standards, with canvas matting on the ground to cover the stone. No padding or anything, the perimeter is an eight-foot high close-knit mesh, so no climbing the cage walls.
  
• There is room for spectators, so it's not exactly going to be quiet in here. Bear that in mind.
  
• Fights are ended by submission or knockout, otherwise it goes to the judges after the week is up.
  
• The entire tournament is taking place in a single evening, so no opportunities to rest up. If you're injured, you'd be best to bear in mind you're not going to be 'fine' for the next fight. Also, unless you win VERY quickly, those who progress to the semi's are going to be at least a little tired.
  
• Competitors will be wearing their own clothing, but restrictions mean no weapons (obviously), and nothing that could be considered 'protective' clothing, so no steel-toed boots or whatnot.
  

Fight hard!

[Odin Reeves]

--- 1 Hour before his fight ---

‘No protective clothing… Does that include gloves? Better not risk it.’

Hunched forward on a bench in the change rooms Odin looked over a sheet of the rules, torn down from it’s posting on a near by locker. Scanning over the sheet he sighed softly before tossing it to the side. The scratch of Velcro echoed off the near by metal surfaces as he removed the wrappings on his wrists. Tugging them free by the middle finger holes he tossed them into his bag and removed a roll of tape. Leaning forward he stuck out his left foot and started to tape his ankle.

‘Better finish up and get back to warming up, don’t want to go in their cold and get injured in the first round.’

Tearing off the tape and firmly stretching it across the already taped ankle he switched to his other foot, beginning the same process until he heard the disgruntled and angry scream that he knew all to well.

[Missy] “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN’!”

“Taping up before I head off to warm up and stretch.”

[Missy] “Don’t get smart with me, I said no more underground tournaments! I’m trying to get fights that pay and are sponsored. What do you get by fighting down here? Nothing!”

“Satisfaction. I get Satisfaction.”

[Missy] “Don’t give me that bullshit, what if you get injured.”

“Then I get injured, whoopee.”

Odin had already continued to tape his right ankle, and had now moved onto his wrists. Coming to the end of his left wrist he held it up and looked up at Jen.

“Can ya give he a hand?”

Sighing with a cross between anger and forfeit Jen ripped the tape, grabbing the roll from him and taking his right hand, making him hold his hand out flat as he continued to wrap for him.

[Missy] “Do you know anything about your opponent?”

“Just that he’s from my old school.”

[Missy] “Don’t get cute, you just graduated, it’s not your old school yet. Anyway, his name is Magnus. He’s six foot five, and about your weight. Don’t know much other then that, but don’t underestimate him. Clench. Good, other hand. Now, you defiantly have the advantage in experience, but keep your guard up and press the attack. I want to see combinations, rush this guy and take him out fast. If it comes to a clinch then strike to the body and circle out. I know your strong, but we don’t need a stalemate situation this early, so don’t even bother.”

Stepping back Jen, a.k.a Missy, tossed the tape back into his bag and motioned for him to stand up.

[Missy] “Good, now start warming up. You have thirty minutes to casually warm your muscles, and then ten to stretch. Scratch that. You have twenty minutes to warm up, then ten minutes of dynamic stretching, then another ten of regular stretches. Get to it.”

Nodding softly Odin began to hop in place, raising his guard up out of instinct as he began a light session of shadow boxing.

--- Fight Time ---

Rolling his shoulders Odin stepped out of the change room, his corner men, or rather corner women stepping out a few paces behind. She moved off to meet up with the other members of the Bull Pen Group, which of whom Odin didn’t notice despite their cheers and cries of his name to capture his attention. Focused on the Octagon shaped cage Odin felt as though he was actually fighting professionally, making his body surge with energy as he stepped within the confines of the cage.

Making his way across the ring he moved in a straight line, not circling around like most men would. He wasn’t playing to the crowd, he didn’t need to, nor would it help. He was already focused on the fight at hand. Jen hadn’t noticed, but her details on his opponent had helped. While warming up he was striking up at a higher angle, shadow boxing with someone of a different height. This ‘Magnus’ fellow would be in for a rude awakening, as now Odin was both motivated and excited.

[Magnus]

My second tournament, ay. And the first one where I get to fight. If this Odin guy is another no show up, I might kill someone in the audience. A smirk stapled itself to his lips. He still had roughly half an hour, and he would spend it gathering information and or preparing some simple exercises. He found a little enthusiast who was practically screaming 'Odiiiiiin!' constantly, only times he stopped screaming was when he ran out of oxygen.

... And Magnus noticed, the kid wasn't the only one. There were a few of these kids, even adults, scattered around in the crowd. It was pretty easy for Magnus to realize that his opponent wasn't a newbie. Anyway, back to the kid screaming Odin.

"So, who is this Odin, any good? Come on kid, I might win a bet if I put money on this guy."

'You should! He has won many of these tournaments! He's the best around! You should see him, his hands are faster than you could imagine. Never seen him kick though.' The boy got a quizzical expression on his face. "I wonder why."

Magnus didn't have the time to exchange theories with the kid so he left. "Thanks kid."

Magnus turned away and walked to some place lonely. The toilets. He moved his ankle weights up to the wrist and did some shadow boxing. Getting his muscles familiar with this weight. Why? Because once he removed these weights, he would be momentarily faster with his arms. And from what the kid had said, he would need this extra speed to begin with until Odin had slowed down a bit. He had planned on using this on an opponent who was considerably faster than Magnus, but the former champion seemed worthy enough of a little trick. He was actually pretty lucky to meet a former champion that people knew about. That meant more info circling around. Perfect!

TIME TO FIIIIIGHT!

Magnus had removed the weights around his wrists, done so without people had noticed it, so his newfound speed would be considered normal for him. As he walked into the ring he noticed Odin was smaller than him. Not so much smaller that he would start boxing Magnus in the crotch, but still a good chunk smaller. The surrounding aura, if you could call it that, of this guy told Magnus to take this seriously or else he wouldn't walk out of here.

"So, Odin, chief god in the Norse."

Magnus said with a small smile while sucking in the last bit of information about the guy. He would just have to see how he fought and work it from there. Magnus did some final stretches to his left leg, the leg that had recently recovered from a car accident. It hadn't bothered him in a week now, but better safe than sorry. With that final thing done he stepped back in normal fighting stance, right foot leading, right hand up high to guard, left hand down low.

"Begin when you're ready."

[Odin Reeves]

Turning away from his ‘corner’ Odin looked across the ring at his opponent, a lack-lustre appearance across his face as he looked irritated. Inside he didn’t feel anything, excitement was gone, and anger wasn’t present, leaving only the calm feeling one has when they’ve been in this position time and time again. He had used the time from when he stepped inside the Octagon to calm himself, rid himself of any anxious feelings. Now, all that was felt was to dictate the pace of the fight, moving in for the win.

Watching his opponent warm-up inside the ring Odin paid attention to the fact that he only stretch his left leg, followed up by a right leg forward fighting stance. Having not even bothered to greet his opponent verbally Odin simply stood there with his hands down at his waist, fists clenched though no stance present.

“I won’t show you mercy because of your injury. If you can, try to hit me.”

Moving forward Odin slid his left leg forward, keeping his shoulders square as he brought up his guard. Each hand firmly protected one half of his face. Bending his knee’s Odin’s height disadvantage seemed to grow as he sunk into his fighting stance. He enjoyed striking from a lower form; it helped him see everything that was to come and made it easier to get inside a larger fighters guard. At least, that’s how he saw it. They always seemed to disregard his physical traits, that, or mistook them for another. Just because he wasn’t a kicker didn’t mean he thought poorly of his legs.

Shuffling forward Odin came into his opponent’s range much sooner then his own, though continued to push forward with quick, precise steps as though nothing was going to stop him. Showing the back of his fists to his opponent was both part of his guard and a style that would help catch most off guard. Unlike most ‘In’ boxers Odin’s fists weren’t clenched tight for a harder punch. Despite have a stiff fist, his hands were looser then usual. Meaning he could strike or grab at a moments notice.

If Magnus let him get close enough Odin would spring forward, using the explosive force of his legs to get in tight to Magnus’s guard and move just to the outside of his right arm while throwing a left-hand liver blow. His feet would be planted upon striking, his upper body leaning back to give him a proper angle on the strike while keeping his body in motion to avoid a counter blow.

[Magnus]

Oh, he's perceptive...

His injury wasn't life threatening, well it barely anything right now, but with the right strike it might be a bother. Especially since he planned on going all the way tonight. He smiled to him and shrugged in a way that would be explained as: Oh well. ... It would appear Odin was wasting no more time as he was already getting closer. Magnus could reach him, the opposite wasn't possible. Time to strike? No, not yet. He wanted to see what this champion could do, and from that he could judge the skill of the school and city. He was close now. Making his defense tight, and he would eat a horse if his weight trick wouldn't help him now.

Odin moved. Magnus reacted. First his left leg slid further to Magnus' left side and the right foot would spin on the front of his foot, so he would face Odin directly again. Almost simultaneously his right arm dropped quickly. His elbow struck first, pushing Odin's arm out so that it would go beyond Magnus' frame/body. His left hand quickly reached over and grabbed Odin's right wrist and held it tightly. The classic wrist grab counter, you know, wrist roll and grab other wrist would be a bitch to perform in this situation. The reasons why Magnus had grabbed his wrist was because it was low enough to go for Magnus' crotch or worse reach down for an attempt at ground and pound. It was a slim possibility that Odin would go for something like that this early and when Magnus had an excellent balance still. But you never knew.

Magnus retorted with a right backhand. Aimed for Odin's face. Odin had already leaned back so his ability to move further back would be diminished, not without sacrificing balance as well. Magnus didn't think Odin could dodge this one. But Magnus could always be proven wrong.

[Odin Reeves]

The thing about Odin’s power punches, when they’re thrown from such a close distance they remain very compact. So when he struck his opponents elbow, failing to connect with the kidneys his punch wasn’t deflected more then a few inches before he was returning it to his upper guard. Feeling a grip wrap around his right wrist he tilted his head to the side to see his opponent looming over him, body position for retort. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the right arm move away from the kidney, no longer protecting the vital area of the torso, now rather moving in for the attack. Relying on his instincts Odin ignored the grip on his right wrist, just made sure that he was keeping his guard up and bringing it with him would be fine.

Shifting his weight to his front foot Odin dipped his left shoulder down and rolled his upper body underneath his opponent outstretched right hand. As he was passing underneath he sent another compact-power-punch toward his opponent’s right kidney, this time pivoting over and pushing off more with his front leg foot as he turned into the larger man. After the second kidney punch came the instinct to go for the next open area, and being on the inside of his opponents guard would prove useful.

Stretching out his left leg Odin went into a sort of close-distance-lunge as his left hand went in for a second strike, this time coming up from his shoulder and flying upwards. A short, compact uppercut was sent towards the right side of Magnus’s jaw, angled so that it would be striking across rather then straight up. All the while Odin’s right arm would he blocking his opponent’s left from interfering by remaining close to his body and pushing outward. If Magnus was still holding on, he’d find his left arm in a struggle for power, if he let go he’d find his arm most likely being pushed outward by a not-to-technical form of blocking. Regardless, if Magnus was to go for a counter strike at that moment then he’d have to strike from way above Odin’s reach at a downward angle, and by that time he’d already be smacked in the jaw.

But, following his uppercut would be the cherry on top the cake. Reaching up he’d move to grab the back of Magnus’s head and pull it down toward him. While neutralizing the head Odin would send a sideways knee toward his opponent’s right leg with his left, bringing it in from it’s lunged positioned. It would be a hard, blunt strike to the area just above Magnus’s knee on his thigh, but that was just a move for position. Now that Odin’s feet were closer together he’d use his upper body strength to pull down Magnus’s head while leaping off with his right foot, bringing his knee upward as he pulled himself up.

A flying knee might not be a legal technique in the boxing world, but Odin had far surpassed his old style of fighting. Knees were, well as he was told before “punches were a way to strike – but knees end fights.” It was clear he was trying to end the fight.

[Magnus]

It was painfully obvious that Odin would just drop below the backhand and walk in to do some damage on the larger of the two combatants. Magnus had little he could do against that, with both hands occupied he would just have to take any punishment there would come for him, he had underestimated his opponents speed. The response to his error came quickly. A blow that had intended to strike Magnus' kidney instead hit Magnus' tense network of muscle at the side of the stomach. Right next to his six pack. He ignored it, it was just pain. It was pain he had dealt with before. It was no new sensation. It was tolerable.

... It was good. Magnus was actually pleased. Odin was good and hopefully Odin would have had a hard time wining his other fights, that meant there was still many challenges out there for Magnus. He was thrilled. His fighting spirit returned with the pain. He had found someone to cure his boredom.

Magnus spotted the dreadful left hand move again. This time Magnus was determined to stop it before it could hit its target. No matter what that target would be! It moved up. His instinct told him that it was an uppercut for the face. Magnus' right backhand was done moving and it came down harsh. The bone/muscle of his arm striking against the softer underside of Odin's arm. Slowing it down. Then the arm would continue down to so it would lock against the inside of Odin's left elbow. Completely stopping the arm from going up to strike at Magnus' head. On the way down, Magnus' right hand had opened up and grabbed Odin's right wrist.

Wait. The right wrist? Wasn't that where Magnus was already holding with his left hand?

Not anymore. Just prior to the transfer in hands grabbing Magnus had let go. (Otherwise there wouldn't be a much of a transfer in it!) He wasted no time feeling satisfied about his little trick. He hammered his left fist directly into the face of Odin. A straight punch. A straight shattering punch designed to break the face of Odin completely.

[OOC: Sorry for the delay. School.]

[Odin Reeves]

Odin was a bastard, not in the literal terms given by the dictionary, but a bastard none the less. Before the fighters had begun he provoked Magnus to hit him, almost guaranteeing a face punch to come. Basically, he clouded the boys mind to allow for an easier win. Mental manipulation, yeah, a bit. So what? It’s part of fighting, and Magnus fell for it. First, he listened to Odin’s words, second, he allowed himself to be hit by one of Odin’s signature punches right from the beginning. It wasn’t going to turn out in Magnus’s favour.

As he blocked Odin’s left arm and went in for the grab he seemed to misplace his thoughts, not realizing that Odin was leaning to his right as he went for the uppercut. His weight shifted, and as soon as his right arm was let go his upper body leaned a bit further to his right, bringing his right arm way out of range for the bent arm of his opponent. Even better for Odin is that a punch was being directed toward his head. Well, the better part is that it was directed toward the area where his head was, not is. While the punch would still connect, it would only be with the ring and pinkie finger’s knuckles. A mistaken, even if the entire had should have connected, because Odin dropped his jaw a bit further and basically head butted his opponent’s fist with his forehead – the second strongest bone in your body, strongest in your head.

It was a bit of dirty boxing, when they’re fighting without gloves you lure them in and then when they punch you dip your skull down and lean in so they strike your forehead, possibly breaking a knuckle on impact. Odin was only going to push against the last two knuckles, not the most commonly used in strikes, but if he could hurt them and prevent his opponent from making a fist then he’d already have an advantage.

As though a pendulum, swinging back and forth with the same motion and spot to connect each time Odin pushed off his right foot and turned his hips back over. Turning his body over meant he was already leaning back as he dropped his right hand down and threw out another close range liver blow, this time to the other side of his opponent. The difference in this punch wasn’t the power, no, that was all there. The difference was that after striking he wouldn’t be able to shift so easily to his other foot and go for another kidney blow, only because he had previously attempted another move that made his body lunge. Didn’t matter though, he was actually closer to his opponent this time around, and once more his opponent’s arm was left up in the arm while he went for a strike.

After his move he’d have to pull his left leg in a bit, and whether or not he could move around would depend on his opponent’s stability and endurance. Also, whether he was mentally tough enough not to flinch at the idea of his right side being hurt again. Odin’s fist was travelling low, low and compact, meaning if he was going for a previously injured leg he could easily re-break it, should that have been the injury. So, was Magnus mentally and physically strong enough to keep a lock on his left arm, a arm that could slip out from the side with relative easy if any pressure was let up, after being struck twice in the lower body and possibly having two knuckles broken? The answer lied within the behemoth’s mind.

[Magnus]

Surprise. It was all Magnus could be when his right hand failed to grab a limb that had been in his possession split seconds earlier. Odin reacted too damn fast for Magnus. It was too late for Magnus to stop his punch and it flew straight for the forehead of Odin, he could alter the destination a little so it flew right past Odin's head. Without damaging either of them, somewhere behind Odin's head his fist stopped. He hadn't gone very far behind Odin's head and his balance hadn't been affected by this. His left arm however was too far away to do anything for Magnus' defense. This attack had only failed because of Odin's damned speed. He would have to find a way to eliminate that speed. Magnus knew that with his left arm out there, he was safe from most strikes to the head, because his arm was in the way. That left one area of Magnus' body wide open. The lower portion. It was clear that Odin would be aiming for this body part. Odin was quite easy to read this time. Still, Odin must have thought that Magnus wouldn't use his right arm. Because it was practically right next to his own liver. So when Odin's strike came his arm pushed out and Odin's attack for Magnus' liver would be pushed away. Odin's left arm would be free to move now, but there was nothing he could do about that. It wouldn't matter either. It would be over before Odin could get to use that arm.

Magnus' left arm withdrew and on the way it grabbed the head, hair or whatever he could get a grip of and forced his head forward and down. He feigned a head butt throwing his head forward a few centimeters, not anywhere near enough to hit Odin, but enough to make it seem like it. Odin surely would be experienced enough to see through it, still, there was a minor chance that he might not and that should always be considered. The real attack would be an elbow rising quickly from below. His right elbow. The hand had just been used to push away Odin's punch, and from that position it was almost perfect for an rising elbow right to the face. It would be strong enough to break his nose. If that happened, Magnus would consider the fight won because he could from that continue his assault of elbows to the face until Odin was out cold.

[Odin Reeves]

As soon as Odin’s right fist was deflected he pushed off with his right foot and stepped in closer to his opponent, putting his right foot on the inside of his opponent’s left. With his hand having been pushed back it was now in a prime position to wrap itself around the back of his opponent, and would find a tight grip across the lower back. Odin would hold onto Magnus as though he was giving him a one armed hug, his shoulder tucked into the larger man’s body while his right arm wrapped around. While his right arm went in for the wrap Odin’s freshly freed left arm would rise up and push into Magnus’s right shoulder, Odin’s thumb tucking underneath so that it was literally underneath the shoulder and in the pit.

Raising his elbow up he’d slide his left arm out until he found the elbow. He didn’t need to grip the elbow, rather just put his arm over it. Acting in unison with his left arm Odin’s body would twist over and pull Magnus along with him, going in for a simple by highly effective hip-toss to the larger man whose center of balance would be destroyed by the movement and positioning. Upon successfully flipping Magnus over Odin would still have possession of his opponent’s left arm, which would be straightened out drastically while held up. Reinforcing his grip Odin’s right palm would press against his opponent elbow inner side, pushing it outward while twisting it over slightly. The main grip would be Odin’s left arm, which would be holding Magnus’s wrist under his arm pit and remain wrapped around his opponents arm. By arching his hips and leaning back he’d be able to apply pressure on the elbow, enough to break it unless Magnus gave into the pressure.

If Magnus tried to roll into Odin to attempt to alleviate the pressure then the unorthodox fighter would arch his hips higher and fall straight back into the ground while snapping out his right leg to stomp the body of his opponent back into the canvas.

[Magnus]

Magnus moved his left foot. Giving him more than adequate room to strike Odin. The front of his right elbow would strike into the face of Odin. Elbow against face. A battle the elbow would win. Odin’s face would be in a rather bad shape, his nose was probably broken. Magnus had in the whole ignored that Odin was trying to finger penetrate his arm pit during this move. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling, but nonetheless tolerable and not noteworthy hindering his movement. On the way back from the elbow strike he would extend the arm and give Odin a hammer blow on the side of the head. After that it would position itself in a defensive position that resembled all of the other defensive positions. Elbow going down the side/front of his body. Lightly clenched fist hovering just outside his right side of the jaw.

It was his last move that Magnus made that could finish the fight for good. Odin’s right arm was around Magnus, the effectiveness of this hold diminished when Magnus had moved his foot earlier, this meant that a special part of the arm was open for strike. The collarbone. If your arm was close to the body, it would be hard to hit because the body around it overlaps it with skin or other. When the arm is stretched out, the bone is visible when the chest is bare. Odin's chest might not be naked, but Magnus' had in his years of fighting memorized the exact position of the bone. His left hand would let go of Odin’s head. The elbow went straight down into the weak and exposed bone. Possibly breaking it, possibly just injuring it enough to make Odin's right arm less workable.

[Odin Reeves]

[PM sent.]

[Director Troutman]

Odin progresses to the next round. Well fought, Magnus, a good display and by far the best fight this round. I'd love to see how this ended.