Evan prepared himself for his next match and saw he leveled up from his battle with Zoey. He shrugged and went to see who his next opponent was.
He quirked an eyebrow at who Devon was, but looked around until he spotted him. Another of the eternal reserve members who was glaring holes in his head from across the ring.
Evan actually flinched at that as he felt the anger rolling off of Devon like crazy. He was a 5 foot 11 inches guy with a good balanced muscle build. Based on his senses Evan can estimate his strength is close to his but his skill seems to be lacking. Almost as if he is more intimidating versus an actual fighter.
Evan rubs his chin in thought but figured he might have a chance if his strength and endurance are about his rank but if he was actually hiding something then it will be troublesome. Evan sighs as he decides to analyze every aspect of him until their match.
As they were the last match of the second round it gave him some good chances to observe and break down his opponent.
However one problem arose.
Evan was distracted by an excited Zoey who had risen from her stupor and was unintentionally throwing off his analysis of his upcoming opponent.
Evan couldn't blame her she was excited to have a new friend. So he just did what he could to keep Devon in his sights.
All too soon after learning about each others favorite foods, exercises, animals, and colors. Evan had to go to the ring.
Zoey cheered for him with the other fighters who were a bit out of it to see the usually sadistic looking Zoey. Cheering on the man who beat her in the last match.
Zara chuckled at their reactions, knowing they had some work to do before they got to know the real her.
She saw Devon and Evan both in the ring and both men ready to duke it out.
She rang the bell while yelling, "Begin the match!"
Evan readied himself but was unprepared for Devon to come rushing in with a face of total concentration. Evan prepared defenses but they were shattered as Devon rushed right in with a maddening flurry of combos.
Evan widens his eyes as he realized why it was hard to get a read on Devons style and skill. He was a devote practitioner of Jeet Kune Do!
His movements were scary efficient, fast, and skilled! Plus it felt like he was a long time user of it. Evan only had 3 to 4 years tops of experience in the style.
He would lose of it came down to matching Devon style for style.
So Evan used every skill he could. The iron muscles defense from Karate. He endured a small onslaught of punches, kicks, knees. and elbows. Evan grunted with effort while Devon grit his teeth at his hands and legs hurting from striking Evan while he was so durable.
However it finally came. Devon stepped back to prepare his next combo move. Evan rushed in switching to tiger style. Devon gasped at that and Evan then began to wail on him, palm strikes to the ribs, hooked punches scrapping across Devons arms and shoulders, powerful stomping kicks to Devons legs.
Devon was stumbling back instinctively to make distance so he could slip out of the attacks and resume his own onslaught. It almost worked... almost.
As Devon pulled back Evan switched styles on again. His Jujitsu came out and managed to grab Devons retreating arm. Twisting it making his foe gasp. Then Evan rolled over Devons back with the arm still caught making the Bruce Lee wannabe yell out in pain at the awkward angle.
Soon Evan then used his Muay Thai training to knee and kick Devon while he was locked up.
Devon endured a few kicks before using his open arm and grabbing behind himself to grab Evans kicking leg. Evan tried to free himself but was quickly pulled to the ground and rolled. Devon rolled up to his feet as Evan began to rise as well, but Devon wouldn't give him the chance.
He began to shoot out kicks and punches to Evan on the ground. Trying to keep him there as long a possible while he recovered from the arm lock.
Devon thought he was distracting Evan a good amount but little did he know. Evan noticed that Devon was using all three non injured limbs while keeping the rolled arm close to his body.
With a smile from noticing that detail Evan counted the pattern Devon accidentally got lost in while using Iron body on the ground. Then when a gap between blows came Evan exploded forward with the thrusting knee kick form Muay Thai landing squarely into Devons chin.
Devons head snaps back and he is heavily dazed from that little blow. He goes to resume his combo and keep a follow up attack at bay. But is quickly met with another blow. A Muay Thai elbow to his temple. Devon falls to the ground vision spinning from two head hits back to back.
He goes to stand fighting the vertigo. Only to suddenly feel Evan slamming down on him from above using Zoeys pile driver she tried to use in their match.
Zoey cheers at it while Zara and the other fighters are stunned. Evan dodged that one and only managed to catch a glimpse of it due to her missing. Yet he perfectly recreated it for this match.
Devon chokes out as his air is forced from his lungs before he goes full rage and tries to shoot up with a punch aimed right at Evan. However his arm throbs painfully stopping the blow as Devon accidentally used his injured arm.
Taking the chance Evan comes up and does a rising thrust kick from the Dragon style right into Devons chin. With head another blow Devons vision spins with spots in his eyes and he falls to the ground dazed and heavily fighting off a bout of vertigo.
Evan comes to his feet and pants from the non stop combos and big moves he had to use to defeat Devon.
He wonders why he was stuck as a reserve with such efficient moves and good amount of skill. But he decides to ask Zara and Zoey once the match was done.
The count of 10 is heard and Evan is declared the winner by an excited Zara and a cheering Zoey.
The other fighter congratulate Evan for shocking them at beating a borderline expert of the Jeet Kune Do style.
Evan rubs the back of his head while Devon is carried to the infirmary. He makes his way over to Zara and asks. "So why was he a reserve member? He seemed strong and skilled enough to be a main group fighter."
Zara sighs and admits he was strong but his singular style was all he had. As Evan saw once Devon was thrown off of his patterns and combos that Devon struggled to reclaim his rhythm which in the local tournament let alone the city tournament can be lethal to a fighter.
Evan nods at that explanation while watching the final match. With this match Evan, Zara and three other fighters were all in the representative group to show the world how good this gym was.
He laid in his bed after hanging out with Zara and Zoey after everything was done and finished and promised them that they could hang out soon during the weeks leading up to the tournament.
Zoey even asked Evan, "Um by the way Evan... do you thunk I look good with these muscles? Or should i try to slim down?"
Evan looked Zoey over and saw her well corded muscles, her well defined abs, her thick and powerful legs, her intricate and well detailed viking tattoos, and her surprisingly soft looking feet as she just got off of the mats for wrestle practice.
Evan hums before saying, "Everything looks good to me. I think you have this look in the bag. You look pretty and beautiful as you are Zoey. Muscles, tattoos, braids, and all."
Zoey then fainted from a blush and happiness after that.
Zara got her back home safely while he texted Derrick and Thomas about how his matches went. They both congratulated him and promised they would be there to celebrate that weekend with him.
Things were looking up. Especially with that notifications that came from the last two matches. Evan decided to check them in the morning so he could rest a lot tonight. He had a pair of beautiful ladies to ask out tomorrow.