Silence stretched across the arena as everyone stared wide-eyed. Even the referee and the people around the ring stood frozen, gaping at the cage.
For a second, no one could process what had just happened. They could only stare at the massive fighter lying motionless in the center of the cage. Meanwhile, his opponent — Chuck — sat on the big man's back, panting.
"Hah…" Chuck breathed heavily, his forearm resting on his thighs. Blood seeped from his split brow. His nose was busted from a punch, though not broken. His mouth bled too, but the pain felt distant, numbed by adrenaline.
When he finally rose to his feet, he looked around the arena before raising his fist.
For a heartbeat, no one reacted.
Then the place erupted.
The roar that followed was the loudest of the night. Even those who had lost their bets shouted in excitement, entertained by the brutal fight. The few who had gambled on Chuck against all odds punched the air in triumph.
