[ The Semi-Final Begins ]

[ The Semi-Final Begins ]

Next Day,

The air in the underground arena was electric, a chaotic mix of cheers, boos, and chants echoing off the concrete walls. Every seat was filled, and the crowd leaned forward, eager for the spectacle about to unfold. This wasn't just a fight—it was a clash of emotions, a battle layered with personal history and stakes that went far beyond the cage.

Jack Hayes stepped through the curtain, his face calm but his body tense. His knuckles were taped tight, the faint sting from his previous fights a constant reminder of how much he'd endured. He glanced up at the roaring crowd, then quickly down again, focusing on his breathing. The semi-final. Only two fights left, but it might as well have been a thousand miles.

Victor walked beside him, his voice steady but firm. "Stay smart in there. She's quick. She's precise. You give her even an inch, she's taking it. Stick to the plan. Control the distance. Chop her legs early."