Fighting for the Heart

Untitled Part 40

Oliver stood and shook his arms, his legs, trying to loosen up, trying to get his mind focused on the fight ahead of him. Tonight, was a huge fight. He was going up against last year's champion and the guy was good. His name was Georges St. Pierre and he had defended over 13 titles. Yao Fei and John stood to the back-discussing strategy and soon it was time for Oliver to enter the arena. He took a deep breath and then his face changed.

His eyes turned to steel and John and Yao Fei could honestly say they had never seen Oliver more determined than at that moment. He was ready to fight and he was focused.

They entered the ring to cheers and as Oliver stepped into the cage, his gaze was laser locked on Georges. The man was not very tall, but he was absolutely rock-solid muscle. Oliver clenched and unclenched his hands as the announcer went over the rules and Oliver took a swift second to admire the fact that Georges did not flinch or look away. He returned his look and Oliver refocused.

Soon they were circling each other and Oliver drowned out the cheers and shouts, as Georges charged toward him and tried a kick to the chest. Oliver was able to move to the side, but Georges had many fights under his belt and he anticipated the move catching Oliver with a jab. Oliver's head flew back and Georges was on him. He had the advantage and he did not stop. He sent another jab straight to Oliver's jaw and Oliver winced as his lip split. He continued to hit, jab after jab not letting Oliver have a moments reprieve and finally Oliver was able to duck under his arm and get behind him.

Georges however turned quickly and Oliver's counter jab to his ribs, missed. Again, Georges was moving toward Oliver, moving him across the cage, in complete control. He had a scowl that would have cowered most men but Oliver was just as determined that he was not going to leave the cage without a knock out or a submission. Georges St. Pierre was known for his jabs and soon he was at it again. He was trying to keep Oliver unbalanced and that was exactly what he was doing. Oliver felt his eyelid split as Georges connected with his eye and as he grimaced, Georges hit again, catching his ribs.

He could hear John and Yao Fei yelling for him to move for him to fight back but the jabs were coming so fast that Oliver was not given time to react.

Georges hit him with another jab that sent Oliver to his knees but before Georges could try to pin him the referee called a break. Oliver stumbled to his corner and John quickly went to work cleaning up his face. Yao Fei faced him calmly and said, "This one is strong. You need to focus more. Your letting him get the upper hand. Focus!"

Oliver wiped his mouth and moved back into the cage. He set his stance and then started to move. He charged Georges and pushed out a round house kick but Georges was quick and he countered by grabbing Oliver's leg and then taking him to the mat with a trip move. He grabbed Oliver in a bow and arrow choke hold and as the referee started to count, Oliver could hear Yao Fei and John yelling at him. He was able to finally break the hold and lunged to his feet, his breathing ragged from the arm around his neck.

Oliver charged at Georges again, all of his fury coming to the forefront as he remembered seeing Felicity lying in the hospital bed, her skin pale, her body still, dark circles under her eyes, tubes and wires coming out from her body and he took Georges into a ground and pound. He took Georges to the floor and just unleashed a fury of punches where ever he could hit. He could feel the anger flowing into each punch and the referee finally had to pull Oliver off of Georges calling for a break.

Oliver moved back to his corner, the adrenaline rushing through him and he looked at Yao Fei who just nodded at him. "You are using your anger, but you need to channel it better. Focus on your moves, keep your opponent off balance and end this fight."

Oliver turned back to the ring and soon Georges was upon him again with jab after jab after jab. He knocked Oliver to the ground, anger radiating out of his face as he threw a jab and then a kick into Oliver's ribs. Oliver felt pain radiate from his chest as he felt his ribs crack. There was a gasp from the crowd as Oliver fell hard to the mat and soon, he was crying out in pain as Georges was on him, trying a submission hold.