It's a big jump from the undercard to the main event. After my knockout of Leo last month, the UFL viewers were torn. Some were fans, saying it was a dope photo finish. Others were angry, calling it a cheap tactic since I kicked him when he wasn't ready. I was either a karate master or a cheater.

Whatever I actually was, promoters saw money. They called me up and set me up to fight on the main event of a smaller-scale show. My opponent is Jean Gordeu from France. A kickboxer who's a 4-time European champion and 1-time world champion. A lanky out-fighter who uses his long limbs to punish anyone bold enough to get close. He's a confident flashy guy. One of his gimmicks is, he refuses to kick any opponent he deems unworthy. So if knocks you out via punches or elbows, you were nowhere close to him.

He's not the first in the trend of them inviting world circuit-level fighters to compete. It adds an air of legitimacy to the league. More eyes on the event and more money all around.

Not unlike my first fight, I'm being served as a sacrifice for an opponent that had the size advantage. The only difference now is I'm up against someone with real experience. Jean Gordeu won't be a walk in the park. This is a professional who's beaten other professionals. The headlines were typical:

"Is Crimson Legit???"

"Karate Fighter vs MUAY THAI GOD"

"French Champion destroys American Street Fighter"

When the fight actually started, he was just as cocky and comfortable as Leo, but with all the skill to back it up. Every forward attempt I made was dodged or followed up with a jab to punish. Every jab I threw was stuffed with one hand while his other hand would cross. I didn't even bother trying my Mae-Geri kick. It'd leave me open for a massive counterattack.

I went in for a leg sweep, he shuffled back quickly. I rose to a higher position and charged him. My jabs couldn't break past his guard. Honestly, my knuckles hurt from scraping against his elbows.

Even though I've tried to break through and hit him, I'll settle on using my attacks to pressure him back. Once I have him on the fence, I'll have more options.

He could see right through that though. The moment I could throw any bigger shots, he'd cross me with his left, and shuffle to the right. Moving himself away from the fence. Getting him right out of harm's way. This was the difference. An actual fighter has that spacial awareness. His ring control skills are top-notch.

From our brief exchanges, it is very clear I'm losing. Badly. If this goes on too much longer, I'll get worn out from exhaustion.........I'm out-classed.

I take a minute to collect my thoughts before my next attack. He taunted. Fucking asshole taunted me. I thought in that split moment, this is my only chance to attack. I thought I'd cut him off.

I rush in again. Even if I wanted to switch gears or roll out, I can't. Fully committed to this attack. It was the kind of mistake where all I could do is watch as my body completes the motion that I decided to execute. And boldly brace for whatever Jean decides to do to counter.

It happened quickly. The impact was painful, as the premier adrenaline I had was wasted when I overcommitted on my last attack. There was some leftover adrenaline though because it took me a while to realize, my left field of vision was gone.....he used an elbow strike that cleanly landed over my eye. It was bloody and it was swollen shut.

Never took a hit to one of my eyes before, you underestimate how powerful that human instinct to cover your face when confronted with danger is. It's for moments like this.

The fight is still on. If this were an MMA or kickboxing match, an on-site doctor would've called the match off due to my injury. Jean would've won right there. This setting still gives me a shot. These viewers want bloodshed. So they'd never call the fight for something like this. Here the fight continues until someone gets knocked out or the crowd has seen enough.

My next move had to be careful. My vision was impacted heavily. I could only see 50%. And I had yet to cleanly land a hit on Jean. I did notice a consistency though....all his good strikes were counters. Every single one.

I thought being aggressive to start would overwhelm him since he's an out-fighter. But every time I got hit, it was after a punish from a whiffed attack.....so I had my strategy.

I'll throw a feint. A light jab that just barely enters his radius of attack.....tempt him like a fish taking bait.

I swing.....holy shit he actually fell for it.....now it's my turn to punish his mistake.

Rising Dragon Uppercut

Not a technique found in Karate, but something I picked up from some boxing books I've read.

Graced by the heat of flames, my fist rises. The uppercut knocks Jean's head back. He had no way of bracing for my attack. He was still in his own motion. This punch was unexpected. It's the shots that you don't see coming that take you down.

My second win via K.O.

Crimson's underground fight record 2 - 0.

Ranked match results:

Crimson: Rank 114 promoted to 45

Jean: Rank 40 demoted to 50