Furuya Uno (2)

"Is your nose alright?"

Yu Jung-ak asked the doctor who was examining Angela's wounds in the waiting room.

"It doesn't seem to be broken."

Angela had her nosebleed treated. There were quite a few wounds on her face. Angela looked at Yu Jung-ak and bowed her head.

"What did I tell you? Don't tackle blindly. I said you could get seriously hurt."

"I'm sorry."

"If that knee kick had landed properly, you'd be in the hospital right now."

Angela couldn't say anything and just bowed her head. Yu Jung-ak looked at Angela and softened his expression before speaking.

"Still, you did well."

Angela raised her head at Yu Jung-ak's words.

"I won't make mistakes in the future!"

"No need to tell me that. It wasn't an easy opponent, but you did well."

"Senior, please make sure to win too!"

"That's the plan. Did you learn anything from this match?"

"Yes. I need to work on my striking more."

"Learn properly from Rumsak Noi. Good job."

Yu Jung-ak left the women's waiting room and headed to his own waiting room.

His match would start right after the co-main event ended.

It was important to start warming up slowly from the beginning of the co-main event. Upon returning to the waiting room, Yu Jung-ak slowly raised his body's sensitivity through stretching.

The co-main event ended in the first round, and Yu Jung-ak's main event match began. Yu Jung-ak was in the red corner for this match.

Although Furuya Uno had more experience, Yu Jung-ak was far more well-known domestically. Furuya Uno entered to upbeat music. There were some boos from the audience.

[In an interview, Furuya Uno said he studied Yu Jung-ak a lot. He also said that although Yu Jung-ak has fewer fights, he's an excellent opponent.]

[Yes, Yu Jung-ak also highly regards Furuya Uno. Anyway, this match is going to be really interesting. Both fighters have undefeated records.]

[Who do you think will win, commentator Kang Du-hwan?]

[I think Yu Jung-ak will win. Yu Jung-ak has better physique. Above all, didn't he recently win a kickboxing tournament? And it wasn't just any tournament, it was the World One tournament. His final opponent was Jang Sung-hyun. Jang Sung-hyun is considered a world-class striker. If he could win against such an opponent, Yu Jung-ak's striking can be considered world-class.]

[Yu Jung-ak got a new nickname because of that match, right? Was it Hellgate?]

[Yes. It means 'the man who opens the gates of hell', and there's an interesting story behind it. Yu Jung-ak once designated an indie song called "Go to Hell" by Kim Sa-wol X Kim Hae-won as his entrance music. The lyrics were so unique that fans gave him the nickname Hellgate.]

[I've listened to that song too, and it was quite good. But it didn't really fit as entrance music.]

[Haha. I also became interested in indie bands because of Yu Jung-ak. Kim Sa-wol X Kim Hae-won's songs are really good.]

[Ah. Yu Jung-ak is entering now. I wonder what entrance music he'll bring today.]

The moment Yu Jung-ak entered, his entrance music started playing. As the music began, the sound of bells could be heard. It was similar to the sound of bells used in shamanic rituals.

Clap!

Then, following the sound of a single clap, the music started. A heavy percussion sound was heard.

[Is that the sound of bells? The entrance music is very unique. Is that percussion instrument called a janggu?]

[It seems so. It actually fits the entrance music quite well, doesn't it?]

The entrance music Yu Jung-ak had chosen was a song called "Yellow Room" by Danpyunsun and the Sailors. At the beginning, the bell sounds and percussion raised the atmosphere together, then the bass came in. And finally, the violin wrapped it up. This song, which sounded almost like war music, had a very unique charm.

Although the music was unfamiliar, the audience listened more intently. It wasn't a cheerful song, but there was something that heavily penetrated the heart.

[It seems to be an instrumental piece. It must be a foreign song, right?]

[At first, I wasn't sure what to make of it, but the more I listen, the more charming it becomes. Oh, it's not just instrumental.]

As the announcer was speaking, the vocalist's singing could be heard. A powerful voice that sounded like a wild animal expressing its anger.

It wasn't a beautiful voice, nor was it a deep husky voice. The voice of Yellow Room's vocalist belonged to a third world that didn't fit into either category. By the time the vocal part ended, Yu Jung-ak had completely ascended to the octagon.

The song that had been playing for about half the time faded out. Yu Jung-ak looked at Furuya Uno with a solemn expression that matched the song.

"Follow the plan. Got it?"

Yoon Chang-seon said. Yu Jung-ak nodded at Yoon Chang-seon and Rumsak Noi. After listening to the referee's cautions, they touched gloves.

Furuya Uno stood at 177 centimeters.

The match began. After touching gloves again, Yu Jung-ak took his stance. He raised his guard high, as if he were boxing.

Furuya Uno threw a left hook as if he was about to rush in.

Whoosh

The movement was big but clean. After throwing the left hook, he immediately followed with a high kick, as if he was about to throw a right straight.

It was a flashy combination that looked like something from a kickboxer. Yu Jung-ak stepped back leisurely. Yu Jung-ak had received a lot of training on footwork at Bang Yong-pal's gym this time. There were many differences between MMA footwork and boxing footwork.

First of all, in boxing, to properly execute side steps and back steps, one takes a stance with a moderate distance between the feet. In contrast, MMA fighters take a wider stance. The reason for this was that it was difficult to defend against the opponent's takedowns with a narrow stance.

Nevertheless, Yu Jung-ak had slightly narrowed his stance compared to before. This was because he was confident in his wrestling defense.

It wasn't as close as a boxing stance, but it was definitely narrower than before.

What effect does improving one's stance have?

It becomes easier to step.

Let's think about trying to move forward, backward, left, and right with your legs spread wide apart. If you actually try it, you'll find it's not easy.

But if you narrow that distance by just one step and try to move, you can feel a clear difference.

When the stance widens, the burden on the knees also increases. That's why it was important for MMA fighters to find a stance that suited them.

Yu Jung-ak thought it would be good to narrow his stance a bit more through training with Bang Yong-pal. The effect was immediately apparent.

Yu Jung-ak avoided Furuya's rough attack with a side step and then threw a long jab. The jab landed accurately on the nose.

It was sharp and fast, just like a boxer's jab. Furuya Uno advanced forward, unfazed.

Yu Jung-ak took a stance as if he was about to take a light side step, and Furuya Uno threw a powerful hook in that direction.

However, Yu Jung-ak didn't take a side step. Pretending to step, he instead threw a one-two punch. The one-two landed squarely on Furuya Uno's face. Although it was a solid hit, Furuya Uno advanced forward undeterred. Then he clinched with Yu Jung-ak.

And then came the inside leg attack.

It was an attack also known as a judo-style takedown. Furuya Uno had dug his hands into Yu Jung-ak's armpits and even grabbed his grip. So he boldly threw a takedown with his full weight, but Yu Jung-ak reacted as if he had been waiting for this.

Yu Jung-ak's plan from the beginning wasn't about striking. The goal was to counter Furuya Uno's takedown after the clinch.

It looked like Yu Jung-ak was about to fall backward, but suddenly he twisted his body, and in an instant, Furuya Uno was lying on his back on the floor.

It was a perfect counter.

[Oh. Yu Jung-ak needs to be careful of the takedown! Oh, a counter!]

As Yu Jung-ak countered and put Furuya Uno down, the crowd began to cheer. This was just the beginning. Furuya Uno was also good at moving from the bottom position.

Thud!

Yu Jung-ak's surprise pounding landed, and taking advantage of that moment, Furuya Uno was trying to get up.

Yu Jung-ak applied force to prevent Furuya Uno from getting up.

The crowd's cheers were getting louder and louder.

Thud!

Yu Jung-ak's light pounding hit Furuya Uno's face once again. Yu Jung-ak was about to throw another pounding, but Furuya Uno grabbed Yu Jung-ak's leg.

"Watch out for the lower body!"

Yoon Chang-seon shouted. Furuya Uno was wrapping his legs around Yu Jung-ak's leg and trying to get a grip. However, Yu Jung-ak had already pulled his leg out before that. Yu Jung-ak, who had thoroughly trained in defensive techniques even if he couldn't successfully execute submissions, wouldn't fall for such an easy joint lock.

Furuya Uno was skilled. From the beginning, he wasn't aiming for a lower body joint lock, but rather using it as a feint to transition positions. After grabbing the lower body and twisting his body, Furuya Uno quickly escaped from the bottom position. And he created distance.

'I can't clinch right away. Then I'll drain his stamina first.'

Furuya Uno judged that he shouldn't rush in recklessly. It was a judgment befitting an experienced fighter.

Inexperienced fighters often choose one of two options when their prepared plan is blocked. One is to forget the plan and fight spontaneously, and the other is to keep trying until the plan works.

Furuya Uno chose neither. His goal was to drag Yu Jung-ak to the ground, but if that was difficult at the moment, there was no need to insist on it. Hadn't he just been countered when he rashly attempted a leg trip after getting the clinch?

Furuya Uno pretended to throw a left jab and then threw a low kick.

'Huh?'

Thwack!

Yu Jung-ak's concentration was at its peak. As soon as he sensed Furuya Uno was about to throw a low kick, he immediately lifted his front leg and threw a middle kick. It was a middle kick that used the body's elasticity to strike lightly.

Although it didn't have much power, it was a counter middle kick that came at a timing the opponent didn't expect, so Furuya Uno couldn't help but falter.

And then came Yu Jung-ak's powerful right high kick.

It was so powerful that Furuya Uno's head swayed even though he blocked it with his guard. Yu Jung-ak's kicks had become much sharper and heavier than before. This was thanks to Rumsak Noi's training. Although he had honed his boxing skills more in preparation for this fight with Furuya Uno, there was no need to rely solely on boxing.

[Yu Jung-ak is doing well in the standing situation. Furuya Uno seems a bit flustered.]

[Yu Jung-ak always impresses me with how well he utilizes his reach. Actually, there are quite a few fighters who simply have long reach but don't know how to use it properly, but Yu Jung-ak uses it very well.]

There was a reason for commentator Kang Du-hwan's praise. Furuya Uno, who had momentarily faltered, was now advancing towards Yu Jung-ak, throwing sharp kicks. As Yu Jung-ak threw a sharp jab while taking a back step, Furuya Uno slightly shook his head to avoid it. It was a light head movement that you'd expect to see in a boxing match.

The larger the evasive movement, the more the opportunity for a counter-attack disappears. Furuya Uno was showing excellent skills befitting an undefeated fighter.

However, Yu Jung-ak's attack didn't end there. He smoothly took a back step and threw consecutive jabs.

Yu Jung-ak threw a total of three jabs while stepping back two steps. The reason he didn't throw a straight punch was because Furuya Uno was advancing while shaking his head. When an opponent shakes their head like that, throwing a weighted straight punch could easily lead to getting countered, or the movement could get tangled. Furuya Uno's striking skills were not low. While he didn't have the clean precision of Yu Jung-ak, he had heavy power. Yu Jung-ak was saving his right hand, wary of a potential counter-attack if he used it carelessly.

What effect does saving this right hand have?

It had the effect of preventing Furuya Uno from attacking recklessly as he approached. When Yu Jung-ak threw only left jabs while stepping back, Furuya Uno couldn't carelessly attack while advancing with forward steps.

The reason was that if he attacked recklessly in that moment, he would first enter the range of Yu Jung-ak's straight punch.

The word 'first' was important here.

As explained earlier, Yu Jung-ak had longer reach and was taller. When a tall fighter with long reach throws jabs while stepping back, the opposing fighter can't carelessly rush in. Because the moment they take a forward step, if Yu Jung-ak takes one more back step and throws a straight punch, it would land eight times out of ten.

Then, when a tall fighter with long reach throws jabs, should the opposing fighter just stand there watching?

No. The opposing fighter also has ways to break down tall fighters. Among them, the most effective was to prevent the tall fighter from taking back steps.

The octagon was wide, but not infinite. There was definitely a fence, and if you kept taking back steps, your back would eventually touch the fence.

That's why fighters who take back steps needed to take side steps at appropriate timings to change direction. If not, they would end up backing themselves against the fence.

Furuya Uno was waiting for the moment when Yu Jung-ak would take a side step. And he immediately rushed in, throwing a one-two straight punch.

It was a one-two straight aimed slightly upward since Yu Jung-ak's head was higher than Furuya Uno's.

Usually, when an opponent rushes in like this, fighters either throw a counter, retreat further, or raise their guard tight.

But Yu Jung-ak didn't do any of those things.

Instead, he lowered his head and rushed forward. It was a perfect timing takedown.

[Ah. Yu Jung-ak initiates the takedown first. Furuya Uno put too much power into his one-two. His weight shifted too far forward.]

[The timing was exquisite.]

From a half-guard position, Yu Jung-ak threw an elbow pounding at Furuya Uno. Furuya Uno tried to avoid the elbow by pushing Yu Jung-ak's upper body with his hands and stretching his neck out. The elbow barely grazed Furuya Uno's cheek as it passed.

Elbow strikes are the technique most likely to cause cuts among all MMA techniques. It's said that elbows cause cuts whether they land cleanly or just graze, to the extent that there's a saying that elbows call for blood.

As if to prove this, blood was slightly flowing from Furuya Uno's cheek. The damage Furuya Uno had taken was minimal. Nevertheless, Yu Jung-ak's elbow was effective. When Furuya Uno moved his legs to try to secure a guard position from the bottom, Yu Jung-ak didn't offer much resistance.

Instead, he struck Furuya Uno's nose with a light hammering, as if hammering a nail. Furuya Uno was trying to establish guard position at the cost of exposing his face. That was the priority. But then something interesting happened.

After hitting Furuya Uno once with the hammering, Yu Jung-ak suddenly stood up. Furuya Uno's expression momentarily hardened. Yu Jung-ak stood up, kept his distance, and kicked Furuya Uno's leg.

[Yu Jung-ak doesn't want to stay on the ground for long. It's a bit disappointing since he got the takedown.]

[That takedown was good. It completely shut down Furuya Uno's one-two. From now on, Furuya Uno will likely start to feel confused. He now knows that Yu Jung-ak isn't just a striker.]

In fact, Yu Jung-ak hadn't shown any flashy wrestling techniques. The takedown he just executed on Furuya Uno was a technique that even an MMA beginner could use if the timing was right.

'What strategy did he come out with?'

Yu Jung-ak's strategy was firm. From the beginning, his plan was to slowly accumulate points without using too much stamina, making his opponent anxious. Following this strategy, Yu Jung-ak was unfolding the match like a cunning snake.

On the other hand, Furuya Uno was a bit surprised by the continuous coincidences. The takedown he just suffered was a perfect timing that even a wrestling novice could use to take down a veteran wrestler. It was a timing takedown that didn't require any special technique.

When the opponent comes forward, you just need to lower your head, go in, and push. However, if the timing of this simple takedown is off, it's just a useless struggle.

So it was understandable that Furuya Uno was confused. The takedown timing Yu Jung-ak just showed was almost perfect.

'Is it a coincidence? Or is he hiding something?'

Furuya Uno stood up and slowly approached. If punches didn't work, it was better to slowly work with kicks.

But thinking about it, he didn't feel good.

'Why am I dealing with these tricks...' Furuya Uno was about to throw a powerful low kick with his right foot but suddenly changed his mind. He quickly transformed the low kick into a high kick.

A kick that started low and changed direction like a whip.

It was a Brazilian kick.

Thud!

Yu Jung-ak's head swayed from Furuya Uno's unexpected kick.