Nathan v. Keith

[Kyukaku]

Like the last tournament, the fights will take place in an MMA style caged octagon. IC, the fights will all take place in one night, with a 15 minute break between rounds. The only rule in this tournament is no killing your opponent, so be original.

First post is due by monday night, with posts every 24 hours at minimum. They will be judged next sunday if you can't finish your opponent.

Ready? FIGHT!

[Keith Richards]

Keith walked into the locker room in a casual fitting jeans, fading with use. An untucked wife beater rested over his muscles. The only thing that made him look like he was prepared for a fight was two rolls of white hand wrap. Really he looked quite out of place in something that could be roughly called a martial arts tournament.

But if you were going to fight you may as well be comfortable in your attire. There was still a good while until his name would be announced and he used that to sit down on a bench. While sitting he took the hook of the hand wrap around his thumb, then wrapped the cloth around his wrist three times.

The process continued. Wrapping the cloth next around his knuckles four times, excluding his thumb, while keeping his fingers spread to allow for flexibility when making a fist. He then wrapped it around the blase of his thumb, keeping it spread from the rest of his hand, and the monotony of the wrapping continued.

Keith leaned forward and put his forearms on his knees. Not because he was nervous but because he was already sick of waiting. When he was finally called to go into the ring he smacked his right hand into his left palm.

Having no real care of those around him as he walked in or the sight outside of the ring he merely went in like he was expected to and grunted. Why? Well he had to do something before the fight started. Let's start already...

[Nathan Branigan]

Another tournament for Nathan Branigan. Another first round match in the octagon. Another opponent for him to test his skills. He didn't know anything about Keith, aside from what Tiao had told him.

He wasn't the nicest guy in town.

However, he would try to forget that for the moment. Nathan had a match to win, and he didn't have time for bad blood from a friend.

As Nathan entered the ring, he simply gave Keith a quick nod of acknowledgment, no time to waste on introductions tonight. Nathan casually walked a good distance from the edge of the ring to avoid being trapped early on. He would then put up his guard, hands in front of his face, elbows pointed out. He placed his left foot in front to gain some kind of balance to prevent being knocked down. Nathan then motioned for Keith to attack. The match would begin, a winner would emerge, and the cycle would go on until a champion arouse.

[Keith Richards]

Keith was first into the ring. He received no applause other than a sporadic clapping just for someone entering the ring. His opponent didn't get much better, which amused Keith. One of the closer spectators he could actually manage to hear thanks to the lack of cheering and clapping.

"So, who's this other guy?"
"He's that one good guy."
"... Which one?"
"You know, the one that helps the other good guys... the little one, you know, blonde..."
"Tyler?"
"No not Tyler, the OTHER one!"

Keith laughed at this more than the taunting motion his opponent used to draw him in to attack first. After the deep laughter stopped his guard raised, left forward, and moved toward his target. While shifting forward he would hear tension build in the audience. When he was almost within range jeering poured in loudly and Keith had enough.

If his target hadn't mad an offensive move of his own by this point Keith would make the first strike himself. Pushing off his right foot and lifting his left he would move into range. Halfway through closing the distance his right shoulder would push forward while his waist torque with it, and fire his right fist straight from the hip in a motion that would signal an uppercut.

However Keith was aiming only for the punch fired from the hip to strike the torso of his opponent. It would have enough strength to do considerable damage and be deceptive enough to actually stand a chance for an opening attack.

[Nathan Branigan]

Ignoring the audience's failed attempts to realize Nathan's identity, he kept waiting for his opponent, who seemed to busy laughing to actually bring himself to attack. Regardless, Nathan waited until his opponent got control of himself. 'Well he is an ass, Tiao was definitely right about that' Nathan thought to himself.

Finally Nathan's opponent started the charge to attack him. As he got closer, Nathan realized that he would have the size advantage in the fight, meaning Keith would most likely be slightly faster. Knowing this basic knowledge, he would be able to form a simple strategy to combat Keith.

Keith closed in with his right shoulder turned in to make a right uppercut. Judging from the attack Keith had begun, he jumped to Keith's right, allowing Nathan to be outside of Keith's reach for a moment as he dedicated himself to the uppercut. Nathan would send Keith a quick jab to his jaw with Nathan's left arm. This would keep his right arm ready for the defense and send a good starting attack to open the match up. Keith's right side would be vulnerable, thanks to his uppercut, which gave Nathan the opening he needed.

'Let's get this thing started Keith.'

[Keith Richards]

First attacks never work the way you want them too. A rule written on the fucking moon in bold. While moving forward and firing off the punch from his hip the opponent, henceforth named blonde or blondey-boy, jumped outside of his attack range.

His left foot pushed down against the ground to slow his forward movement while his head turned to follow the target. The punch was missed by a few inches, more than enough. Wearing a scowl Keith spotted the incoming punch.

Not having slowed enough to dodge back Keith dropped down and continued the spin from right to left he had started to put damage into his punch. While lowering himself he swung his right leg across the ground to smack into blondey-boy's own right foot.

[Nathan Branigan]

Keith managed to duck under Nathan's punch to his face, but that was to be expected. He aimed high, so the blow was an easy one to dodge. He would most likely just have to go with the easier hits if he wanted to win this fight.

Keith, not to be stopped in his tracks, used the momentum of his attack and the lowering of his body to begin a sweep kick with his right leg. However, he spun around, causing a gap in time before the blow struck, allowing Nathan time enough to act. Nathan would send a quick kick straight at Keith's left side as he turned in. Given improper timing, it may also hit Keith's backside if Nathan's shot out his leg slightly early. This would amount to a decent, but easy hit to land on his opponent. It would even give Nathan a brief moment to escape the incoming kick, thanks to Keith's momentum being slowed down by the kick.

He would then jump to the right to avoid the sweep, at the same time just getting out of Keith's striking range. Nathan would be ready for Keith's next attack. hands once again in front of his body, legs ready to get on the move.

[Keith Richards]

Keith saw movement but this time he wasn't fast enough to readily compensate for the change. His leg pulled in slightly which made his turn a bit faster, the kick hit him in the side. But it felt more like a shove, meant to create distance. The pain was easy enough to handle and Keith looked over his shoulder to be sure that another attack wasn't coming his way.

His opponent jumped back and Keith regained his balance and put his right leg under him again to stand. While keeping his head turned so he could look over his shoulder and turned quickly to square himself with blonde-boy. "Yeah, that was annoying." Cranking his neck left to right and bringing his arms up he mockingly mimicked blondies earlier taunt.

[Nathan Branigan]

Nathan's plan worked, but it only managed to stop Keith's counter. However, this would have to be enough. Keith immediately rose back up to continue the match, but this time it was Nathan's turn to attack. Keith mockingly used the same gesture Nathan had to bring Keith to begin the fight. Obviously, Nathan would have to smack him up some more if he was to get any respect, but that was doubtful.

Nathan shot forward, closing the distance between the two fighters in an instant. Knowing that the momentum would provide for a more powerful punch, he send a powerful strike directly at Keith's diaphragm. It would knock the wind right out of him, preventing any major counter to be made out of a lack of oxygen. The actual opening would only last for a short while, but the hit may make it harder for Keith to breath for the duration of the fight, giving Nathan a clear advantage.

Next, Nathan would send a quick kick to Keith's left leg with his right. The opening caused by the first attack would make Keith lighter on his feet, allowing for a much easier way to knock Keith on his back. If this succeeded, Nathan would immediately send another kick straight at Keith's side, which would be slightly in range thanks to the direction of the fall.

It was a cheap shot, but it would be very effective if it worked.

OOC: Sorry for the crap post, haven't gotten any sleep.

[Keith Richards]

Blonde-boy shot forward and closed the distance quickly. But as the punch was being delivered something the blonde likely wouldn't expect would be used to change the outcome of the strike. Keith would recognize the blow and push off his back foot while lifting his left. When his left foot hit the ground the distance had been changed by about a foot, which wouldn't allow the opponents punch full extension.

The punch struck home all the same, although off mark. A grimacing Keith would pull his right shoulder back sharply and swing his left fist from the hip, making the impact on his own chest be at an awkward angle, and punch just under the blondes ribs. Either one of the two would back off in favor for a more distanced fight or the evenly matched pair would simply slug it out.

The previously unenthusiastic crowd seemed to enjoy this exchange more as the classic crash of two similarly built fighters went head on, the sound of cheering had grown louder.

[Nathan Branigan]

Not intending to just give Nathan a solid victory, Keith closed the distance to prevent a fully extended punch, and to cause the attack to be misdirected slightly. The closed distance also made the significance of his drop considerably, stopping himself from falling, or even getting hurt much at all from the blow, However, his punch still caused a satisfying hit to his opponent.

Nathan had no time to be proud of himself though. Keith responded to Nathan's move by sending a strong blow to hit just below the ribs. It was a strike that would be painful if it hit at full force, but Nathan would prevent that from happening. He would move to his left, his motion causing the punch it skim across his ribs. It would still hurt, but not as much as the original attack would have.

Nathan would respond by beginning to move away from Keith through the left, making sure to stay within range, but not quite as close as they had been. This would prevent Keith from doing any close-range uppercuts that could possibly do a lot of damage. He would also shoot a kick to Keith's left knee as an attempt to harm the joint, slowing him down. He would also send a left punch at Keith's right shoulder. It would strike where the shoulder meets the chest, to soften up his right side.

It was a slow tactic, but it would make Keith easier to fight as time went by.

[Keith Richards]

Keith groaned in both frustration and the ache of the blow, it left him sore. His eyes followed his opponents retreat while his right foot shifted behind him. His left pushed off and his right stopped him just outside of the low aimed kick. But since the kick was low, not a full extension, it left him well within range of the jab that came at his shoulder.

That was the mistake that was made. Keith pulled his right shoulder back with the blow and hooked his left fist around while stepping forward hard, a sharp left hook aimed jam itself under the blondes ribs. The punch that clipped his shoulder would aid the torque of his shoulder, if only slightly, although it wasn't his intention. Keith didn't care if he took a blow or not, he just saw an opportunity to throw a short and fast blow and did so.

In result of keeping the fight to a close slugging match the crowd continued to cheer for blood.

[Nathan Branigan]

While Nathan's attack succeeded once again, Keith and been able to keep the fight at a range suitable to his style. He used Nathan's punch to add momentum into his left side and he once again shot a hooking left punch, directed to hit Nathan's right side just underneath the ribs. However, Nathan was not without his defenses.

He would begin by tucking his right arm to his side, protecting the area targeted by Keith in his latest assault. He would then turn his body slightly counter-clockwise, causing what would normally be a direct blow to skid along his arm and back ribs. Once again, this would hurt, but it was more manageable than what Keith had intended for him. It even set him up for a quick moment of retaliation.

Nathan would use the already wound up right side to send a powerful right uppercut straight at Keith's chin. This would be immediately following Keith's strike, so his left arm would not be retracted and ready to defend Keith from anything coming from Nathan's right side. It would give Keith a good solid blow and possibly stun him for a moment as his head followed the force of Nathan's fist.

Immediately the uppercut would be completed, Nathan would follow it up with a left hook aimed directly at Keith's right cheek. It would hit Keith fast and hard, not giving him an instant to recover from the first hit.

And with that, Nathan would take a step back, just within range for both the fighters to continue the brawl.

[Keith Richards]

OOC: To judge, I've been frustrated with this fight. I feel like more than one move had bordered on moding.

Take a clean hit you slippery bastard.

Keith watched as the body turned away from his punch but he was more interested in what the body would do next. Kicks had come once or twice but they had felt like they were made to keep distance. Which made him more worried about the shoulders movements. And their movement was broadcasted heavily.

Keith didn't bring his left hand back into guard. The hand retracted before right shoulder of his opponent moved forward, as was his instinct. Before the punch could rise to attack Keith jabbed his left hand into the right shoulder, gripping into the material of the shirt hard. The punch would either lose all momentum or lose enough that it would only have the strength the arm alone could generate in the distance left after the shoulder was jammed.

Grinning at his accomplishment he sent his right fist, which had been balled near in line with his chin, in a straight line to his opponents throat. Let's see you squirm out of this, he thought while keeping an iron grip on blondey-boys shoulder. The first punch would be very difficult to avoid, as moving the base of the neck out of the way was going to be very difficult with the shoulder left fairly immobile.

[Nathan Branigan]

OOC: I'm gonna wait for the fight so far to be seen by a Mod. I don't want to give Keith more of an unfair fight if it's that bad.

[Kyukaku]

It was brought to my attention that there was a disagreement here. While I don't quite see godmodding, I can see why Keith would think so. To me, it looks like he's writing based on assumptions, like I do. If you feel like something shouldn't happen, interrupt it in your next post.

Besides this argument, the fight looks real good so far. Keep going, and take your frustrations out IC. Judging in two days.

[Nathan Branigan]

OOC: I had someone look at this before I posted. So I'm pretty sure it's not modding.

Nathan's attack did not go as smoothly as he would have wanted. Instead of his uppercut connecting, Keith had managed to grab a hold of Nathan's right shoulder. This would slow it down enough to cause no real harm to Keith. He then sent a right ounch aimed directly at Nathan's throat, giving Nathan no room to dodge in time as Keith held him in by his shoulder.

However, Nathan's left hand went unused as Keith managed to stop the first hit. His left arm was meant to be a follow up attack, but because the original was stopped he had not yet sent out the other. It did, however, give him the defenses he needed to prevent a major hit to a vulnerable area. His left arm was ready to be used before the attack went through, so his hand was close to his face. This would allow Nathan to get his hand in the path of the punch fast enough to provide a buffer. It was not as effective as his arm, but it would work. Nathan also bent his head down, causing the area the punch would land to be in between the nose and the forehead. With the buffer of his hand, it would prove to be a stinging hit, but nothing serious.

To counter Keith's recent movments, Nathan would send an attack of his own. While the two competitors hands were all tied up with the above display, he would send a knee to Keith's gut. This would be a unguarded hit, thanks to Keith grabbing his shoulder and sending out a punch to his face. He would be focused above and would most likely not see this coming. If he did, then he would know what he have to do. Keith would have to release Nathan to escape this attack, or be forced to once the hit landed.

[Keith Richards]

Keith grunted in annoyance. The blow landed, but it was caught by the blondes palm and forced the back of his own hand into his face. At least that's how it looked from Keith's point of view, who had a hard time seeing how far forward the head had titled into the blow.

In response to this he pushed his hand down and to the right, gripping with both hands at the shoulders hard, and pulled him forward while raising his left knee up into blondey. But instead of soft flesh and ribs he met with a dull thump of bone against bone. Apparently he wasn't the only one who liked knees at close range, the throbbing pain on his knee cap was proof enough of that.

A growl emanated from his throat and past gritted teeth but Keith still had a quick thought to make the odd movement worth something. Keith would force his leg to the inside and turn his leg horizontally from the knee, behind Nathan's knee, and then pull back while pushing forward. Hitting the back of the knee wouldn't be that hard, and the back of the knee doesn't need to be hit with a sledge hammer to give out as it's a pretty weak area.

The end result would be pretty obvious, with one foot going toward the ground and the other one losing strength, due to a strike to the back of the knee, Nathan would topple backward and Keith would be just behind and trying to position his fall so he didn't land with the blondes knee in his crotch. In a position above the blonde on the floor Keith would be at a distinct advantage.

[Nathan Branigan]

OOC: This is my last post for the fight. Busy watching Olympics. I had someone look at this, so it should be cool.

Nathan had once again stopped the initial attack made my Keith. However, his own counter seemed to have come into contact with Keith’s own attempt to bring his legs into the equation. Keith used his blocked hand to grab Nathan’s other shoulder, pushing Nathan forward, but this was only part of his plan.

As soon as the knees struck, Keith hit Nathan’s left back of his knee with his heel, and pulling back to attempt to get him off balance. It was a very creative attack, but not perfect. Keith was simply pushing them both down, trying to get Nathan on the bottom of the two.

Immediately after the knees struck, Nathan lowered his right leg down to the ground once again. Although his leg had return to the ground, it did not have enough power to stop both competitors combined momentum. They began to fall.

Nathan had already known that this was the only end to what was happening. That is why he grabbed Keith by the shoulders with his arms just as Keith had done to him. This would give him some control as well. As they began to move back, Nathan pulled Keith to his left, intending to change the direction of the two as they fell. The momentum would cause Keith to be shifted so that he would be the one that hit the ground first, not Nathan. With Keith breaking his fall, Nathan would land with his right knee touching the ground. Nathan would be on the top and it would be him that had the advantage, not Keith.

[Keith Richards]

Keith was fully commited to the fall until his opponent gave him a point of leverage by shifting Keith's weight onto his still planted right foot. With the slight advantage in balance, since his opponent was beginning to turn, Keith would let go of his opponent and raise his elbows into his opponents forearms from the underside while tucking his hands into his chest to make sure the elbows went high enough.

This would hopefully dislodge the grip while giving Keith a chance to push himself behind his turning opponent which he would grab onto for balance before shoving his weight forward in hopes of getting his opponent on his stomache with Keith in a back mounted position.