Unleashed 16

[Jackson]

UNLEASHED 16
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

UNDERCARD

Heavyweight Fight
Travis "Machine Gun Joe" Joseph vs Aaron Idol

The clients have gathered around a partially-drained swimming pool on the deck of the yacht.  Money is trading hands.  Drinks are served on silver platters.  The world's elite are waiting, anxiously, for the fight to begin.

Standing in the shallow end of the pool, Aaron "The Future" Idol raises his hand as the referee Bruce Goldman announces his name to the crowd.  His opponent, Travis "Machine Gun Joe" Joseph, emerges from the crowd with a scowl painted across his face.  Goldman swivels on his heels, pointing up at Joseph and calls him out.  Joseph throws his arms into the air and yells, before dropping down from the deck and onto the barren concrete floor of the pool.

The referee looks from one man, to the other, and then throws his hand down the middle, ordering them to FIGHT!  Idol shrugs his shoulders and raises his arms.  Joseph stretches his neck and then takes a defensive stance.

Again, the referee urges them to fight.

With a smirk, Idol moves to the right.  Joseph dances around, avoiding Idol, and the two men circle around one another.  The pool-side audience soon grows bored after it becomes evident that neither man is willing to take the first strike.  Boos start to build.  Dissatisfaction grows.  They start to scream and holler, cursing both of the fighters who seem content to simply avoid each other.  The referee steps in, once again urging them to fight.

But it's too late.

Voice:  Enough!

Head turn to the commanding voice standing above, looking down on the fight from the upper deck.  It is Tibor Petrov.

Petrov:  These people came here to be entertained.  Not to watch you two wander around one another until you tire from the heat.

Joseph:  I came here to fight!

The clients laugh, the women giggling and the men shaking their heads.  Joseph snarls, throws his arms up and marches around the empty pool.

Petrov:  And what about you, Mr. Idol?

Idol:  I came here to woop some ass and make some money.

Petrov:  Good!  Then you two are in luck.  Because there happens to be another man here to is anxious to make his return to The Circle.

Joseph:  Bring 'em on.  I'll kick his AND Idol's ass.  At the same time!

Petrov looks down at his bookies, known as agents.

Petrov:  Agents—refund everyone's money and start taking bets on the new match.  It will be Aaron Idol versus Travis Joseph versus the Human Nightmare... SPIRAL!

Multi-time attendees of The Circuit squeal in delight as Rob Zombie's Sick Bubblegum shrieks down from the overhead speakers.  The doors kick open and the larger, more menacing Spiral emerges from below deck.  He walks through the people, parting them like the red sea on his way to the pool.

Rescheduled Match
Travis "Machine Gun Joe" Joseph vs Aaron Idol vs Spiral

Aaron Idol sees an opportunity.  Joseph is distracted, watching Spiral climb down the steps and into the pool.  Idol rushes Joseph from behind and clips him across the side of the face.  Joseph stumbles forward, holding his ear and falls against the pool's wall.

Idol: YOU!

Idol points at Spiral and then runs his thumb across his neck.  The crowd ooh's and aah's.  Spiral raises his taped fists and moves toward him.  Idol dances around, backing up until his feet touch the last bit of water left in the pool's deep end.  Spiral closes in.  Idol readies himself, centers his hips, and then swings his right leg through the air.  Spiral catches Idol's foot against his ribs.  Idol looks around, jumping on one leg as a disturbing smile crawls over the Nightmare's face.

Spiral grabs Idol around the waist, lifts him off the concrete and throws him into the wall.  Idol cocks his fist back to throw a punch but Spiral avoids it and delivers a quick three punch combo to Idol's rib cage.  His face tenses in pain as bones crack from the force.  Spiral then rises up from underneath and delivers a devastating uppercut that lifts Idol off his feet.  His legs give out when he lands and his body crumbles on the floor of the pool.

The ref signals that he's out.  The crowd erupts.

Travis Joseph pushes himself up off the ground and rushes madly across the pool with a high-pitched scream.  He leaps onto Spiral's back and locks a choke-hold around his throat, verbally taunting him. Spiral whips Travis around, trying to throw him off but the hold is locked in.  The world starts to dissolve into blackness for Spiral.  The shouts of the people echo in his ears.  His legs start to wobble.

Then he reaches up and gouges Joseph's eyes with his black fingernails.

Joseph cries as he falls from Spiral's back, wiping at his bloody eyes.  Spiral shakes off the dizziness.  He looks around, wide-eyed and mad, until he finds Joseph crawling, blind, on his hands and feet.  Spiral walks up behind him, grabs him by the head and throws him into the two feet of standing water in the deepest end of the pool.

Joseph jumps up from the water, wiping the burning chlorine from his face.  He can't see Spiral coming at him, but he hears the splash of water as the big man jumps into the deep end.  Joseph panics and starts to swing wildly.  Spiral blocks a right and grabs Joseph by the head, bending him forward and delivering a quick jumping knee strike.  Blood flies from Joseph's mouth as his head whips back and he falls to his back

Spiral reaches down and pushes Joseph's face under the water.  The people chant his name as Joseph struggles under his weight, trying to pull himself up.

Joseph's legs and arms give one final, meaningless flail, and then nothing.  His face relaxes beneath the water.  His body goes limp and sinks to the bottom.  Spiral stands, soaked from head to toe, his black makeup smeared down his face.  Runs his hands through his hair, slicking it back, and then raises his fist as Bruce Goldman announces him the winner by KO and Death.

Spiral defeats Joseph via knockout and death at 7:15.

Heavyweight Fight
Chase Tomlin vs Sterling "Ace" Cash

Cash strikes first with a face kick that snaps Tomlin awake. More slap than anything, but it sounds good echoing across the deck of the yacht. Tomlin closes the distance and pulls guard, and Cash slaps on a choke as Tomlin gets to his feet. He lets go and fires a body kick as Tomlin stands. Cash backs away and then comes in with a right hand that lands. He then drags Tomlin to the mat and frees a leg into half guard. Cash stands over his opponent and looks to dive. He does with a big right hand that just misses, and Tomlin gets to his feet. Cash throws a right and misses, but he grabs Tomlin around the neck from behind and drags him to the ground and takes his back. Cash gets his hooks in and looks for the rear-naked choke. It looks over, but Tomlin escapes and gets to his feet with a round of applause. The fighters return to standing and Cash looks a bit winded. After a clinch, Cash goes high with a knee to the body, and Tomlin simply shoves him to the ground again. Tomlin works from the top as Cash is trapped against the deck railing in a seated position. Cash ties up his opponent to avoid damage, but Tomlin finally creates some separation and delivers a flurry of forearms and hammerfists before Cash ties him up again, this time in a guillotine choke. Cash waits out the inevitable from that position, picking up his first win in The Circuit.

Cash defeats Tomlin via knockout at 4:11.

Lightweight Division Fight
Terri Zwart vs Rex Cassidy

Little action early as the fighters circle. After 35 seconds, Zwart lands the first shot with a right hand and then pushes Cassidy into the deck railing. The fighters jockey for position and break to restart. Cassidy shoots and grabs a leg, pushes Zwart to the floor, and then scoops her up and takes her down to the floor. With Zwart pressed against the steel rail, Cassidy looks to pass guard from the standing position and moves into side control. With little room to work, though, Zwart puts her back against the metal and works her way to her feet. Cassidy scores a few punches to the body. Zwart, though, takes Cassidy to the floor and unloads a quick flurry of punches before standing over him and raining down big blows from the top. A dozen shots have landed loudly, and a right hand clips Cassidy on the chin. Zwart dives in for side control and then moves into mount and unloads a barrage of punches. Zwart stands to regroup and tries to dive in with an overhand right. Cassidy, though, kicks his way free, but while Zwart is on her knees, Cassidy lands a stunning kick to the face. A quick flurry leaves both fighters jockeying for position, and Cassidy gets Zwart in a head lock. However, Zwart is in the three-point stance, and the retaliation knees to the head leave Cassidy a bloody mess.

Zwart defeats Cassidy via knockout at 4:01.

Lightweight Division Fight
Ryann Hardy vs Sinn

Sinn lands a quick right before clinching. She knocks Hardy off balance with another shot, sending her tumbling down a short flight of stairs. Hardy gets to her feet and charges at Sinn, only to be on the receiving end as Sinn delivers a stream of blows as Hardy tries to secure the clinch. Hardy with a knee to the midsection. She eats a few knees in response but answers with a right. Hardy with the clinch and delivers knees while Sinn works punches to the side. Sinn with the takedown, and she stands over Hardy, who pulls her in close. Hardy lands a nice knee from the clinch. A second misses but the third lands, and Sinn dips for the single leg. Hardy fights it off and delivers two more knees. Sinn misses on a wild left. Sinn's jawing but eats a shot as blood begins to pour from a cut under her eye. The fighters again clinch, and Hardy works knees from the clinch. She backs and lands a body kick and then front kick. Sinn answers with an overhand right. Hardy clinches and pushes the action into the railing. Hardy lands a couple punches before closing the distance again. Sinn fires off a left-right combo, but Hardy answers with a combo of her own. Both fighters are bloodied. Hardy creates distance and then goes high with a kick that Sinn only partially blocks. Hardy works knees to the body. Some dirty boxing by both before Sinn catches a kick and knocks Hardy briefly off balance with a soft right. A sloppy exchange in the center of the deck, and we can see the cut from Hardy's forehead is wide open now, gushing blood. Sinn works a choke on Hardy, only to be pulled off before she can kill her opponent.

Sinn defeats Hardy via stoppage at 10:09.

Heavyweight Division Fight
Gasher vs Mark Chapman

The action moves to the lower deck of the yacht, and what seems to be a storage hold. Gasher starts off the bout by testing his reach and just misses with a head kick. Lots of dancing early before Chapman clinches, land a right and pushes his opponent into the wall. Gasher, though, scores the trip takedown and works from side control. With Chapman pressed into the unforgiving solid wall, Gasher struggles to corral him, and Chapman gets to his feet. Gasher clinches and wants to take the fight back to the ground, but Chapman fends him off. Gasher, though, scores another crafty takedown and moves into mount. Chapman uses the wall to try to improve his position, and Gasher backs off. Gasher lands a low, but Chapman shoots for the takedown. Gasher fends it off, and lands a couple shots and then drops Chapman with a big right hand. Chapman looks out cold but immediately pops to his feet. Gasher catches a kick and then sweeps Chapman's other leg out from under him. Gasher doesn't follow him to the floor, and after getting back to his feet, Chapman gets underhooks and scores his own takedown. Gasher is pressed against the cage and eats some punches as he tries to get back to his feet. While in the kneeling position, Chapman delivers more shoots and looks briefly like he's going to take his opponent's back. Gasher, though, gets back to his feet, but Chapman's on his like glue and works more dirty boxing. Chapman creates distance and throws some punches before Gasher tries a leaping knee from close range. It doesn't work, and the fight hits the floor again. Gasher's on his knees again, and Chapman tries to take his back. Instead, Gasher reverses, takes top position and then dives in with a right. Hammerfists from Gasher. Chapman ties him up initially, but Gasher postures up and rains down a big right that connects, sending Chapman out cold on the floor.

Gasher defeats Chapman via knockout at 9:31.

During the weigh-in for the Main Event, both Jackson and Gutter Rat look to be in phenomenal shape, with fresh anger in their eyes.  Gutter Rat weighs in first, looking intimidating as hell, and there's cheering as his weight is called out.  During Jackson's weigh-in, it is noted how much more cut he looks than his opponent.  As his weight is called, Ed Johnson makes a derogatory remark, and spits at Jackson.  Jackson grabs the portly little man, but Gutter Rat steps between them.  Jackson lets go of the little manager, but hits Gutter Rat with a headbutt that busts The Rat Bastard open above his left eye before walking out of the weigh-in, leaving the Main Event in jeopardy.

HEADLINE FIGHT

Lightweight Title Contender Fight
Isabella Pazzini vs Shane "Dixie Dynamite" Sanders

The night's co-headliner is underway. Pazzini paws a jab and throws a soft leg kick. Sanders lands a right that seems to have stunned Pazzini briefly. Pazzini with an inside leg kick but she misses with the head kick. Sanders whiffs with a big right but a return kick of her own. The fighters both partially connect on big shots and reset. Pazzini clips Sanders with a shot, but she recovers and tries a trip takedown. Sanders clinches, and the fighters wrestle for position. On the break, Pazzini uncorks a knee to the head and Sanders goes down, bleeding from her nose. Pazzini again throws leg kicks and pushes Sanders back with a front kick. Sanders shoots, Pazzini defends, but Sanders pushes her into the wall and frantically looks for the takedown. She finally gets it after a scramble and takes Pazzini's back. Pazzini kneels so Sanders can't get her hooks in, but Sanders pulls her back and locks in the rear-naked choke, and Pazzini is forced to tap out seconds later.

Sanders defeats Pazzini via submission at 10:07 to become number one contender for the Lightweight Title.

MAIN EVENT

Heavyweight Title Tournament Fight
Gutter Rat vs Jackson

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, the two men in The Circle tonight will fight until only one remains standing for the right to advance to the finals of the Heavyweight Title Tournament!!!!! This fight will now be no holds barred... no stoppage with a fight to the finish! Introducing first... fighting out of the blue corner... he is a wrestler with mixed martial arts background, with a record of seven wins, two losses and one draw, standing at 193 centimeters and weighing in at 125 kilograms. Ladies and gentlemen... JACKSONNNNN!!

Jackson raises his middle finger, pointing it directly at his opponent with a smirk on his face.

Announcer: And now... fighting out of the red corner... he is a striker, with a record of four wins, and one loss, standing at 196 centimeters and weighing in at 125 kilograms. Ladies and gentlemen... GUTTER RATTTTTTTT!!

Rat immediately attacks with a high knee to the groin but Jackson grabs hold and shoves him back. Jackson drops for a speedy takedown, but Rat sprawls out immediately. Jackson keeps the pressure on against the railing. There is little action as the two jockey for position, ending with Jackson's forearm choking Gutter Rat against the railing as he drives his thumb into the gash above Gutter Rat's eye. He levels a kick into Gutter Rat's torso and then the railing gives way, spilling both men to the deck below. Surprisingly, Rat recovers first and grabs a body lock but it's short-lived as Jackson gets to his knees and circles away as he staggers upright. Rat throws a few deadly punches that stagger Jackson, but he still ducks under for the clinch.  Rat's against the wall, his face inches from a porthole window. Jackson digs his thumbs into Gutter Rat's eyes and then smashes the back of his head through the thick glass.

Jackson works with a sense of urgency and throws kicks and punches from all angles, clearly tossing everything in his power-striking arsenal at The Rat Bastard. Jackson with a couple low kicks that hit their mark. Jackson connects with a nice right-left combo that backs up Rat. Rat has slowed a bit, and Jackson gets to throw some more shots. A right-left combo lands for Jackson. Jackson is starting to pick apart Rat while moving in and out with punches. Rat shoots, but Jackson stuffs it and Rat retreats. Jackson connects with a low kick. Jackson is working more punches through Rat's defenses. Rat isn't hurt, but he's got no answer right now. Jackson with a nice right-punch, knee strike combo. Jackson goes high and partially connects on a kick to the head. Rat eats another kick but is still standing.

Rat pop up, but Jackson controls the head and delivers two knees into his body. Jackson grabs a Thai clinch, but he can't get space. Rat misses on an uppercut, and Jackson moves back into the clinch. Jackson catches a shot to the eye and a low blow in the same combo. Rat throws a knee to the face, but Jackson rushes in for the restart. Both men are looking worse for wear, Jackson is spitting blood from his busted up lip, breathing through his mouth to avoid his mashed nose as blood drips down Gutter Rat's back. Jackson shoots in with a body lock, looking for a trip. Rat circles off and delivers a few quick jabs to the face but Jackson reverses and returns to the familiar position. More boos as Jackson sneaks in a few short left hands. Rat lands a knee to the body that leaves Jackson gasping for air. He staggers away and Rat leaps in. A few shots land, but Jackson grabs full guard and hangs on. They stand again, and Rat lands a few more bombs to Jackson's face, breaking through his guard. Jackson pushes in and looks for a trip, but Rat sprawls well and keeps his balance. Jackson sneaks in a few punches against the wall before Rat covers up, and Jackson returns to the clinch.  Brief stall, then Jackson throws three punches. Knees inside from Jackson. Jackson drops lower, but Rat shakes off the takedown attempt. Jackson lands an elbow inside. Jackson working inside as Rat connects with an elbow to the throat that sends Jackson reeling. Rat lands a nice kick to the ribs, and a left high kick follows. A third is nearly caught, but Rat pulls it down. Rat lands a right hand.  Jackson throws punches as the clinch breaks. Rat blocks most of them. Less than a minute remains, and the two work from the clinch. Rat earns a takedown and moves on top, dropping bombs that Jackson is too slow to block. Jackson holds tight, but he's mounted. Rat misses with an elbow and Jackson pulls away, only to be met with a knee to the back of the head that rebounds his face off the wall. Jackson slides down to the floor, leaving a streak of blood as the fight ends.

Gutter Rat defeats Jackson via knockout at 21:45 to move on to the final round of the Heavyweight Title Tournament.