Match of the Millennium

Description: Robert "Bob" Richards reenters the Neo League with a vengeance, going straight for a challenge against the mysterious host, Antonov, in a brawl in the middle of Fremont Street. Will Bob's speed and weight catapult him to the top of the charts, or will Antonov prove exactly why so many points rest in his hands?

[BOB]
The Neo League.

It draws fighters from all over the world. Some are masters of their arts. Others are rising stars. Some? Some are in between, like Robert "Bob" Richards. Bob has done moderately well in the Neo League this year, though some might attribute it to dumb luck. His one bout this season was against last year's runner-up, Fumiko, a formidable swordswoman who pushed the rotund karateka to the absolute limit. Even so, he managed to overcome.

And now he's set his sights on an equally dangerous opponent: the mysterious new Neo League sponsor, Antonov!

Bob walks amidst the neon lights of Fremont street, rolling his shoulder in the socket. He tugs his black glove into place, then tugs at his blue and red Hawaiian shirt to adjust it on his shoulders. As he nears the stage for today's bout, Bob takes one heavy step, then positions his other foot far apart in a wide, weighty stance.

[ANTONOV]
The Neo League season has turned into a success as a whole as far as drawing in competitors and fans. The viewership of replays on television has also brought in good numbers. This pleases Antonov who at the start saw the league having a bit of a struggle. So like any good man he laced up his own boots and held some open challenges to get things rolling. It seemed to be the ticket and more people signed up.

That allowed the Russian to take a bit of a break and watch things from afar, but there was that itch. One that needed to be scratched. he wanted to compete. He NEEDED to compete. When requesting a good challenger it just happened to be Bob that was selected and that is why he finds himself waiting for the eccentric Russian to show himself.

"Hello!" Comes a loud shout as the big man steps forward. Tall and thick with muscle he just regards Bob with a big grin with a cigar resting between his teeth. "I was told you are very skilled so I look forward to this battle." he says while his grin grows bigger. "Come now. Show me your skills, Mister Richards.

[BOB]
"So you're the one in charge of this season, huh, big guy?" Bob says, tapping his foot slightly before raising his fists. He draws his fists up in his typical karate stance. He rocks on his heels, clenching his fists.

"I hope I'm up to your standards, Mr. Antonov," Bob says, "but I have a feeling you'll be impressed." Bob cracks a winning smile. "So let's get started!"

Bob surges forward toward Antonov. For such a massive mug of a guy, Bob moves with deceptive speed. In a just a few seconds he's crossed the street, closing in on the mountainous Russian. He strikes out with equal speed, throwing one sharp right hook.

COMBATSYS: Bob has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Bob              0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Antonov has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Bob              0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0          Antonov

COMBATSYS: Antonov interrupts Medium Punch from Bob with Vertical Macho.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Bob              0/-------/---====|==-----\-------\0          Antonov

[ANTONOV]
Antonov pops the cigar out of his mouth and tosses it aside. "I am. I like the spirit of competition and always enjoy a fun way to make some money. I'll be a bit sad when my time as a host is done." It is coming soon, but it has been a good run. Maybe sometime in the future he will just compete and win it himself to house again, but for now he will just enjoy what time is left.

Antonov unbuttons his shirt and pulls it off to reveal his impressive body. Unlike Bob there is little to no sort of chubbiness to him. He also is no fool to think that just because Bob is a rather rotund lad that this would be an easy fight. "I am sure you will. As long as we both have a good fight and find a way to improve in the end!"

He raises his arms and watches Bob speed in. That strike comes forward and Antonov Just steps forward and perhaps maybe to Bob's surprise he thrusts his chest into it. A big powerful chest that seems to not only deflect the blow but then slam into Bob as Antonov jumps upwards and knocks his opponent upwards with him. He then swings his arms forward and downwards to knock Bob to the ground before landing. "Yes! Good! Keep that up!" Antonov says while giving a big flex.

[BOB]
Bob's fist grazes Antonov's chest as the Russian meets him head on. The tackle is enough to stagger Bob back with surprise, and then Antonov's arms smash him up and back down with enough force that it cracks the pavement.

With a wheeze, Bob plants his palms on the sidewalk and shoves off. For such a big guy, he shows remarkable flexibility by rolling backward like a ball, smoothly somersaulting to tumble. He launches out of this roll with a short leap straight from the ground to standing upright. As his boots impact the ground he staggers, swaying on his feet as he shakes away from the daze from the heavy hit.

"Whoof," Bob says, rubbing his knuckles across his mouth. "Those muscles aren't just for show, huh?" But Bob doesn't hesitate, instead rushing forward again. He springs forward, ducks low, then swipes toward Antonov to try and grab him by the hand. If he takes hold, Bob pulls Antonov forward with a sharp pull. He plants his boot and twists, torquing into a powerful bodyslam.

COMBATSYS: Antonov blocks Bob's Sparkling Death.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Bob              0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0          Antonov

[ANTONOV]
With a laugh Antonov nods. "My friend, I would not have wasted your time if that is all I used them for. I am getting older and I need challenges like this to keep in shape and improve myself. I'll leave the ten cent tan muscle bodies on the California coast."

He is in good spirits, but he is also not letting himself be distracted. Bob is well trained and Antonov realizes even a small slip up would give the big man plenty of an opening to take advantage. It is an advantage his rotund opponent has. Antonov has mostly trained himself and his sheer power helps make him a tough competitor, but a well trained fighter will always give him trouble.

But for now he is holding his own and Bob grabs him by the hand and yanks. Antonov comes forward, but that is about the extent of what gets to happen. He isn't easy to move at all and in fact he is just looking to hook his arm up under the arm that is grasping him and twist about to hip toss Bob up and over onto the ground.

COMBATSYS: Antonov successfully hits Bob with Quick Throw.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Bob              1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0          Antonov

[BOB]
"Heh, good one," Bob says, "and it's a great way to stay in shape." This may seem a bit ironic coming from Bob, but he doesn't seem to be kidding. When the tug doesn't actually have Bob's desired impact, and soon Antonov is on the offensive again.

When Antonov hooks Bob, the big karate fighter tries to plant himself against it, to dig his heels in and use his weight and strength to overcome Antonov's manuever.

It is not enough. Bob goes completely airborne, soaring head over heels before coming down hard once more. It takes him a bit longer to get to his feet this time as Bob climbs to one knee, then pushes himself on up to his feet with a shake. Even so, Bob doesn't stop. He takes deep breathes, clenches his fist, and goes in again.

This time Bob guards himself, stepping into a series of rapid fire punches. One, two, and then three. Keeping the pressure up, Bob shifts into a swift hook to the chin.

COMBATSYS: Antonov endures Bob's Apicius Special.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Bob              0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0          Antonov

[ANTONOV]
It seems the host is no slouch and there is a reason why he has put a bit of a target on himself that promises bonus points for those that could take him down. So far four people have tried and only one has been successful so far. That man hasn't been seen since.

Bob also continues to find this fight a bit problematic. He starts to unload those punches and it is almost like slamming against a well made punching bag or even a wall as they impact on the torso of Antonov. The Russian is more than fine in keeping in close even if it means taking that big puncho to the jaw that staggers him back for only a moment. "More of that!"

Of course Bob would oblige. The only problem is it is hard to oblige when Antonov is grip and heft Bob over his head and show his strength by tossing the big man like a lawn dart across the street.

COMBATSYS: Bob just-defends Antonov's President Toss!

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Bob              0/-------/------=|=======\-------\0          Antonov

[BOB]
Bob keeps up his momentum like a boxer going at a speed bag. Even when met with Antonov's immense durability, Bob doesn't back down. He keeps up the pressure, striking over and over even if the Russian remains unmoved.

Or at least, unmoved until he shifts into the heft and toss. Bob goes flying through the air like an oversized football. He seems primed to crash into some of the bystanders that are starting to gather until suddenly something changes about Bob's momentum.

The obese fighter twists, curling into a ball and spinning over the crowd. His boots plant against the awning of a nearby booth, the shop straining under his weight as he balances precariously for a moment. Right at the moment when it seems like it'd collapse on itself, Bob vaults off with a sproing and flies back over Antonov's head to land in a three-point stance.

"How was that?" Bob asks with a smirk, brushing his hair out of his face. But in the next moment, Bob is back on the offensive. He spins his arms in a sweeping, circular kata, focusing himself. He shifts into a twist, leaping into a horiztonal spin and delivering a powerful tornado kick!

But Bob doesn't stop there, instead sticking his landing by landing in a crouch. He draws back both hands and thrusts forward in a sharp, two-handed palm strike.

COMBATSYS: Bob blitzes into action and acts again!

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Bob              0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0          Antonov

COMBATSYS: Antonov endures Bob's Sucre Tile.

[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Bob              0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1          Antonov

COMBATSYS: Antonov interrupts Granchi Cannon from Bob with Kamchatka Collapse.
*KNOCKED AWAY*

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Bob              1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0          Antonov

[ANTONOV]
Keep hitting and eventually things will give way, right? That isn't a bad tactic in a fight because no matter how tough someone seems they will eventually get worn down. The trick is to wear them down without getting destroyed in the process. Antonov is tough, but Bob has enough skill to know his strikes are putting a dent in the Russian.

And he gets his moment too where the throw doesn't quite turn out the way that Antonov expected. Bob explodes forward to go right back at the Neo League host and Antonov is caught a bit flat footed. All he can do is step forward to try and grasp for the fighter and stop Bob's forward momentum.

Instead the kick connects enough to stagger Antonov and allows Bob to come in with that follow up. But Antonov's feet are planted and one swings back and comes forward around the same time Bob trusts forward with both hands. They connect, but he doesn't fully register he did because he is hit with a kick that sends him up and away. Probably a good thing Antonov never played soccer. There might be several dead goalies at this point.

[BOB]
Bob's nonstop assault continues as the oversized karateka transitions between different tactics. The first power strike hits home, but the second is too slow. It lacks the power to match the overwhelming might of Antonov once he gets going. The two meet, and Bob comes out on bottom.

His arms are drawn back for the palm strike when Antonov when launches into the soccer kick. The boot catches Bob in the stomach, doubling him over before launching like...well, a soccer ball. The heavyweight fighter goes flying until he crashes into a parked car with enough force that it slides across the pavement. Bob himself drops from the indention to land on his seat with a groan.

"I can see why you were willing to wager so many points on winning," Bob says, wrapping his hand around the rear view mirror to lift himself up with a creak. He stumbles forward, taking two steps before he gets his footing.

Everything hurts. His breathing is heavy. He doesn't immediately go back on the offensive, instead taking a moment to plan his next move.

COMBATSYS: Bob focuses on his next action.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////           ]
Bob              1/----===/=======|=------\-------\0          Antonov

[ANTONOV]
"It is nice to be the wildcard. Admittedly through all this not many have actually outright requested a fight. Brave souls came forward during an open challenge, but this. You are the first to give me an outright challenge. I like that." Maybe there is a reason why he hasn't gotten those challenges. People aren't so much cowards, but getting into a tussle with Antonov could perhaps result in injury and less fights as a whole to climb upwards.

No real time to think about that though as Antonov's focus is very much still on Bob. For the first time this fight Bob isn't bouncing back and coming right back at him and so Antonov pauses for a moment. He considers options and he decides to come forward and bring the fight to Bob this time around.

It only takes a few big bounds forward to close the distance and he pushes off his feet as he turns about. Arms raise and he flexes as he sails through the air. His exposed back approaching Bob at a high speed at the same time to possibly further crush him into that car he already damaged.

COMBATSYS: Bob interrupts Gigantic Back Press from Antonov with Spiral Rocky.

[                        \\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Bob              0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0          Antonov

[BOB]
"I bet," Bob says between heavy breaths. "But glad to be of service," he manages a chuckle--even if it's a pained one. His feet slide across the pavement as he takes on a grounded, wide karate stance. His fists and teeth clench as Antonov closes the gap and bears down on him light a freight train.

The back press bears down on him, threatening to smash Bob into the car. He could try to dodge, or guard, but instead he goes low. His knees bend as he positions himself to gather power. There's a brief window between the start and the impact, and for a precious few seconds Bob waits for the opening.

And then he launches upward, powering into a spiraling, double-handed uppercut that smashes into Antonov's back. Even with the power of the uppercut Bob is slammed into the car with bone-rattling force, launching him over the roof of the car in a roll.

[ANTONOV]
Antonov never saw it coming. Perhaps he was overconfident or it was the fact once more he was a man that learned to fight on his own against someone who had more proper training and has mastered his art.

He gets an impact, but not exactly the way he had expected it because Bob strikes hard with that double-handed uppercut. While Bob is launched back over the roof of the car, Antonov is sent forward face down into the concrete as he tumbles across the road.

He is a bit slow to get up and he has a rather big grin on his face despite looking like he is in pain. "A man that never gives up. Good!" he stomps forward slowly. His momentum picks up a bit more bit by bit and he lowers a shoulder to ram into Bob to throw him off guard before twirling about and delivering a discus style forearm to the side of his head.

COMBATSYS: Bob just-defends Antonov's Aggressive Strike!

[                      \\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Bob              0/-------/---====|=======\-------\0          Antonov

[BOB]
His heart pounds and his bones ache, but Bob presses on. Years ago, Bob was a rising star of the martial arts world. He was a young karate prodigy who was expected to go to the top...until he ran into a wall facing larger opponents. Opponents like Antonov.

But Bob engineered himself for this. He changed his body to overcome, and a test like this one is exactly what he needed.

Unfortunately, things aren't going quite in his favor. Even so, Bob refuses to surrender. He comes off of the roof in a roll, tumbling into a scramble back onto his feet. He drops back into his stance as Antonov descends on him again. As Antonov goes for the shoulder charge, Bob counter charges. The two collide but Bob rolls with the blow, rolling across Antonov's back to avoid the brunt of the damage. He steps around and into a kick in the crossing, aiming to accelerate Antonov's momentum and send him into a nearby wall.

COMBATSYS: Bob successfully hits Antonov with Medium Kick.

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Bob              0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1          Antonov

[ANTONOV]
There is impact, but given Bob's girthy nature he literally just rolls with it and it leaves Antonov wide open. The bigger man realizes his error and tries to adjust to reduce the power of the blow, but it is a bit too little too late and that kick just carries Antonov forward where he manages to stop himself from going through the wall he impacts against.

"Heh....." He is starting to see the reason for Bob's transformation into a less than svelte fighter. Many would see it as insanity and it may be, but sometimes there is a method to madness and Bob is proof of that.

Antonov takes a moment to pop open the rather gaudy belt he wears to produce a cigar. The belt snaps back closed while putting the cigar between his teeth and chomps down. "Very well. Once more!" Forward he carries himself, his dash perhaps not as full of vim and vigor due to the beating he is taken, but still fast enough to quickly close in on Bob as he brings foward a very powerful punch right at the gut of the rotund opponent.

COMBATSYS: Antonov issues a challenge!!

[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Bob              0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1          Antonov

COMBATSYS: Antonov successfully hits Bob with Whale Stream.

[                           \\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Bob              1/----===/=======|=======\==-----\1          Antonov

[BOB]
Bob's boot comes with a heavy tap as he steps out of the kick and turns to face Antonov. The host of the Neo League certainly has earned his spot without a doubt, at least in Bob's mind. That sort of recovery from the brink is what it takes to be a champion.

But Bob isn't ready to up yet himself. "I'd say those are bad for you," Bob says, "but you've probably heard that line before." He smiles. "And it doesn't seem to be slowing you down one bit." This becomes abundantly clear when Antonov comes in with the punch. Bob raises his guard, bringing his arm around to try and intercept, but the fist goes through his guard, skirting across his forearm to hit him in the midsection with enough force to double him over. Spittle and a bit of blood flies from his mouth as it knocks the wind right out of his lungs.

But Bob doesn't give up. Not yet. He grips Antonov's arm, using to keep himself from falling over right away. Pulling tight, Bob swings up over Antonov's arm, hurling himself into a spin toward the massive Russian as his boot whips around for the man's jaw.

And then, whether it connects or not, Bob will likely crash out, landing unceremoniously out of his flying spin kick since he lacks the stamina to keep going.

COMBATSYS: Bob can no longer fight.

[                    \\\\\\\\\\  <
Antonov          1/---====/=======|

COMBATSYS: Antonov blocks Bob's Grater Langouste.

[                      \\\\\\\\  <
Antonov          1/-======/=======|

[ANTONOV]
That punch lands solidly and with quite a bit of force. Antonov is more impressed by the fact Bob has enough in him to grip his arm and go for an attack. The movements are quick, but the Russian seems to have his wits about him enough to bring his free arm about to help deflect the blow from nailing him in the jaw. It looks like he is rather used to people trying to knock that cigar from his mouth.

It seems to be the last bit of fight left in Bob and the portly fighter remains grounded after that one last attack. "If the cigars don't get me something else will." he says with a bit of a chuckle. He is sore and worn out. Bob made him work for this win and he wouldn't have it any other way. "I hope to see more from you in this league. Maybe if you win we can have a little rematch."

He raises his arms in victory as he turns about for the camera. His grin widens as he gives a flex. Another one in the books and hopefully more viewers gained. A shame things are coming to an end soon, but he suppose the saying is true. All good things must come to an end.

COMBATSYS: Antonov has ended the fight here.

Log created on 21:33:32 01/20/2019 by Bob, and last modified on 10:23:04 01/28/2019.