Karate Man

Karate Man

by

Gym Dude

My name is Rick.  I’m six foot two and 225 pounds of weight-trained rock-solid muscle.  My 52” chest makes my 31” waist look even leaner than it is but it’s my 18+ guns that get the most attention.  All that has absolutely nothing to do with this story, but I’ve busted my ass working out and I really enjoy describing myself.  Anyhow, a few weeks ago I finally broke down and started taking Karate lessons.  You see, I work at this warehouse and even though I’m one of the biggest and strongest dudes there, this guy named Dave keeps kicking my ass, but that’s another story.

I didn’t want to spend my time just going through the motions, so I kept searching until I found a dojo that specializes in full-contact fighting, in fact, the owner is a 3rd degree black belt and light-heavyweight champion.

Our dojo is just a few minutes from the harbor in the industrial section which pretty much guarantees it is going to be frequented by guys who work for a living and not those preppy uptown kids who just want to put on a show.  This is a place for tough guys who want to get tougher, in short, a perfect place for me!

Rather than locating in some strip-mall, this place is in the front section of a converted warehouse giving us lots of space.  The one thing they did add was a beautiful hardwood floor in the front section and it really sets the place off.  There’s lots of light, pads, and a GREAT workout area with bags, free weights, benches and three Bowflex machines.  Right in the middle of everything is a full-size regulation boxing ring.  The owner has surrounded the ring with a half-dozen video cameras connected to a taping system so students can study their performance from every angle.

Brad owns of the place and this dude is as close to the “Perfect Man” as you can get.  Everyone who meets the guy can’t help but envy him and his life style. The dude is six feet even and 196 very solid pounds.  The guy is handsome enough to be a model and I swear he’s built big enough to compete as a bodybuilder if he ever got the notion.  It makes me wonder what life would be like for someone who has it all; brains enough to run your own very profitable business; a truly exceptional muscular body; great athletic skill and tough enough to be a martial arts champion not to mention  the red Corvette roadster always parked by the curb at the front door.

I train on Tuesday and Thursday nights with a pretty cool bunch of guys.  Wayne is a varsity offensive tackle at State College.  The dude is 6’4” and 265 pounds.  This guy makes a statement just walking in the room!  The fact that Wayne is training to “make himself tougher” is just plain scary.

The rest of the group is made up of three other college guys – average jock types, a couple of normal guys in their mid-20’s that look like they might be able to take care of themselves, two high school seniors that look a lot tougher than I remember high school guys being, and a couple of businessmen who used to practice “white collar boxing” whatever the hell that is.  I guess they got tired of that and want to fight for real.

Brad is a great instructor, easy going at the front desk when he’s Mr. Personality, and no-nonsense in the training area.  It doesn’t take long before you find out that even though we’re paying for instruction, we are also accountable to learn and remember the lessons.  You leave messing around and bull-shit attitudes at the door.  At this dojo training time is serious business.

It was during my second or third lesson as Brad was demonstrating how to control an attacker with a simple twist of the man’s fingers and wrist.  Brad stood calm and controlled while one of the solid looking white-collar guys was squirming on his knees desperately praying for this demonstration to be over.

  Big Wayne let out a snort and laughed “It’s a lot better to just punch the punk’s lights out!  One of these and you’re not bothered with all that whimpering.”  He held up his right fist and examined the weapon.  I remember thinking it looked like a 15-pound sledge hammer and shuddered at the thought of what a fist like that backed by that much muscle would do to someone’s face.  I guess that’s why they train reconstructive surgeons.

Suddenly I was brought back to reality by the stark silence in the room.  Brad had released his hapless victim and stood motionless, his eyes locked on the massive tackle.  I remember thinking at the time that I was so DAMN happy it wasn’t me who was first to make some smart-ass comment since it usually is. After what seemed like an eternity Brad motioned the big athlete to the ring, “OK, Big Man, show me what I’m doing wrong.  Attack me.  Take your best shot!”

I can’t imagine a sober man calling out this mountain of muscle and neither did Wayne.  I suspect the dude has never back down from an invitation like this and was not about to start now.  Wayne moved smoothly for a man of his size and easily hopped up to the ring apron.  With one hand on the ring post he vaulted into the ring as though he had done it a hundred times.

Wayne’s handsome face sported the grin of a kid in a candy store as he carefully moved within range of his opponent.  I thought he would take his time and test his instructor, but the big stud lunged.  Brad simply stood his ground and fired a single punch to the center of the big stud’s chest.  The massive tackle stopped dead in his tracks as though he had been shot.  His big arms dropped slightly to his sides as Brad nailed the big man with a front kick to the center of his upper abs. Before the huge muscle stud could even double over, Brad slammed the same foot straight up under the big guy’s jaw.  The tackle’s massive body recoiled off the ropes like so much dead weight.  The big he-man was only a defenseless target for Brad’s spinning back kick to the jaw.  Wayne’s huge physique hit the canvas face-first hard enough to bounce twice.

Brad was on the prone athlete in a heartbeat, pulling one ankle up into the crook of his left arm and wrapping his right arm around the 265-pound stud’s massive neck. Brad flexed his powerful body and pulled mightily until he gripped his hands together.  Big Wayne’s face turned red as he pounded the canvas and screamed his submission over and over.  “Are you ready to pay attention and do what you’re told?” Brad calmly asked.

“Yes.  Yes!  Yes, whatever you want.  Please let me go!”  The big man was in a world of hurt.

Brad stood above the aching athlete and spoke directly to us.  “You might be wondering why we had this little demonstration in the ring instead of the mats. There are a number of reasons, but most importantly to ensure that no matter what happens, our battle is man-to-man and it must remain so.  Just because one participant is falling behind there is no reason for anyone else to jump in and break-it-up or even the odds.  Competition with whatever terms are agreed upon is an honorable thing and must be played out to its natural conclusion.  It is a great dishonor to all participants for any one or any group to alter the outcome.”  For the most part, the rest of training went as usual and the massive college tackle was attentive as hell. 

After hitting the showers, a few of us were up front shooting the shit when Wayne came out from in back.  As he approached the opening between a railing and the front desk Brad stood and blocked his path.  During class Brad was always properly attired in his Karate Gi which always looked perfect, never showing a wrinkle.  When the night was over, he would loosen up and lose the belt and top. 

As Wayne reached the desk, he was greeted by one of the finest classically proportioned physiques I’ve ever seen on a light-heavyweight.  Brad stood before the giant muscle-stud bare-chested with his hands on his hips.  Wayne stopped suddenly and looked up and down the rippling muscles before him. 

Brad stood silently before the behemoth, then reached over and took Wayne’s gym bag with his left hand.  The big tackle towered over Brad by a good four inches and outweighed the man by nearly 70 pounds.  His job on the football field is to intimidate big muscular athletes and flatten any who get in his way.  Brad was small compared to the men Wayne works over on the gridiron yet he stood with total confidence before the giant.

The instructor reached up and placed his right hand on Wayne’s powerful shoulder, gently gripping the man’s thick traps.  I watched as Wayne’s massive hands formed into fists.  Brad’s rippling abdominals were a wide-open target.  One of Wayne’s huge fists would nearly fill Brad’s stomach cavity.  I couldn’t imagine the power that muscular upper-body would pack behind a punch.  Just the thought of it was terrifying!

“You should have learned a few important lessons tonight.  You need to understand and respect your fellow man.  It’s not about how big and how strong you are as there is always a man somewhere who will take you down, just as I did tonight.  There is something you can learn from everyone.  When you are blessed with size and power you must learn to use it wisely.”

 Brad looked the big man in the eyes and continued, “I know you want to punch me right now.  You’d like nothing more than to wind up and pound me with everything you’ve got.  Well, go ahead.  If you think it will make you feel better, be my guest.”  Wayne’s knuckles where turning white from the pressure in his huge fists.  I could see the thick muscles in his arms and shoulders tense like a jungle cat ready for dinner.  Then Brad smiled, “Before you decide, remember that after your first punch I will destroy you.  I can see your nose has been broken a time or two, but how about your jaw, your collar bone, your ribs or your arms?  You already know what it feels like for me to force you into submission.  Do you really want me to take you apart as well?”

Wayne stood silently, his mighty fists flexing while he considered his options.  The guy was freaking huge and pounds giant athletes just for fun.  Now he stands face to face with a 196-pound dude who is flat daring him to punch away. 

Both men stood locked in each other’s gaze, neither saying a word.  I saw Wayne’s big hands relax and both men began to smile.  Brad reached over on his desk and retrieved a video tape.  As he dropped it in Wayne’s gym bag he said “Here’s a video of tonight’s lesson.  Watch it until you know what you did wrong then meet me here an hour before Thursday’s class.  We’ll go over it together.”

“You got it, Coach.  Thanks.” He said as Brad returned to his desk and the giant jock walked out into the night, still in one piece.

I’m still processing what happened.  I want so much to learn how to do that.

Classes went along as normal until last week.  We had a new guy join us, he was real quiet but I did learn his name was Mike.  It was hard to tell his age, but I would guess him to be around 20.  He was a tough looking guy around 180-185 pounds, about 5’9” or so.  It was his first class and no one knew much about him. 

We went through our normal pre-workout stretching, weight training workout and warm up practice.  Brad showed the new guy some moves to get him up to speed.  As always, I really get off on the weight training and take every opportunity to intimidate the guys with my power.  While I was pumping iron, the new guy caught my eye as Brad taught him how to fall and some basic blocks.   The dude was coming along fast and picked up the moves as though they were second nature.

Our training is divided into two sections.  First, we do all the strength training, stretching, exercise and such then before our full-contact training we take a break to chat and discuss the night’s workout and anything else that might pop into our minds.  I keep on my toes for any chance I might have to psych out any guy I might face on the mats or in the ring.  It seems to work on some of these guys but Wayne and Brad just laugh at me.  They know what’s going on.

On that night, during the break the conversation worked its way around to Brad’s heavy emphasis on physical training prompting Mike to ask why we waste so much time on exercise when we could be fighting.  Everybody got quiet waiting to see Brad’s reaction.  Wayne knew first-hand how Brad handled any of us who questioned his technique which pretty much assured that we didn’t question him more than once. 

Maybe because the guy was new, but Brad just smiled with his “Take the pebble from my hand, Grasshopper” look and began to explain to the kid.  He talked about Yin and Yang, that being able to take a strike is just as important as knowing how and when to strike.  He explained that proper physical conditioning will not only improve your attack, but you can also build your muscles so strong as to resemble armor plating.  Muscles that will be able to absorb any strikes that you’re not fast enough to block. 

The new guy grew to appreciate the wisdom of the champion with more than a degree of amazement.  “So, let me understand this.  You are saying that your muscles are honed so hard that even your opponents in a championship fight can pound on you and you’re tough enough to just stand there and take it?” 

This guy had obviously not seen Brad without his Gi.  Brad is a stud with a capital ‘S’, the kind that ought to be sewed on his chest!  While not pushing the issue, the new guy thought that was the most incredible thing and was totally amazed that ANY man could be that tough.  The guy was so impressed that he seemed unable to believe Brad’s claim.  The conversation went back and forth for a short while, but it became obvious to all of us that a demonstration was in order. 

Willingly, Brad jumped to his feet and pulled off his Gi.  IT’S SHOWTIME! I am always amazed at this guy’s physique.  Brad has an incredible body but those magnificent muscles were usually covered when he puts that big buff body into action.  Watching the stud fight bare-chested is always a kick, pardon the pun.     Brad stood before us with his muscular arms stretched out to the side, his stomach rippling like a cobblestone road.  I swear this stud’s body fat has to be under 5% in order to carry that much muscle and stay under 200 pounds!

“Alright, you want to see for yourself.  Go ahead and pound away.  Let me show you why I push you guys so hard on physical conditioning.  A body like this is your best defense.  Of course, a body like this can also keep you from getting in a lot of fights in the first place.  Come on, Mike!  Let ‘er rip.  Show me what you’ve learned.”  Brad was always the picture of confidence, and why not?  He’s been in more than enough fighting competitions to know what he’s doing.

Mike was just as stunned by the sight of Brad’s powerful physique as the rest of us but he was the lucky one with an invitation to test just how tough the big champion was.  The dude jumped to his feet, stepped forward and pulled off his Gi as well.  Mike has been blessed with a lean, hard body and looked like he was in pretty damn good shape himself.  Not big like Brad or some of the buffer guys in our group but strong none-the-less.  Mike looked a little apprehensive as he looked up and down taking in a full view of the massive wall of solid muscle before him.  Brad just smiled confidently, “Go ahead, Little Stud.  I’m not going to hurt you.  This is just a demonstration to show you how tough you can become.  Show the class what you’ve got.  Go ahead and really drill some shots in here.”

The new guy took another step forward and planted his feet.  His solid young body moved in one motion as he twisted back putting everything he had into his first punch.  It was clear that the guy wanted to make a big impression on both his instructor and the class.  His right fist whistled forward and looked like a pretty convincing punch targeted to the champ’s upper abs but part way through his swing he changed direction, delivering all his power into a solid uppercut landing square to the underside of Brad’s jaw!

The super stud’s head snapped back as his big buff body slammed into the brick wall behind him, the back of his head leading the way. Brad never knew what hit him!   I don’t think he really knew where he was as he staggered forward taking a solid left to the jaw followed by another incredibly powerful right!

Our instructor’s mighty frame slumped back against the brick wall.  Brad’s muscular arms were just hanging at his sides; those once-bright green eyes were spinning around unable to focus.  This was something none of us had ever seen before or even imagined.  Three punches and the big stud was out on his feet!

Brad couldn’t find his balance.  He staggered forward putting up no defense at all, only to take another power left to the jaw followed by a stunning right that smashed his skull back into the bricks again!  Not only had this guy’s fists completely devastated the muscular champion, the kid was getting double damage thanks to the brick wall.

Brad had trained us not to interfere in a man-to-man fight and even though we wanted to stop it, deep inside each of us really wanted to see just how tough the big muscular champion really was.  Would he really be able to take a pounding like this then come back and teach this dude a lesson?  THAT I wanted to SEE!   Mike reached up and gripped behind the champ’s head then drove his knee between the big man’s legs.  “UUUUUGH” Brad uttered as his handsome physique doubled over.  The new guy carefully guided the bigger man’s head to his next knee lift and you could hear the cartilage in Brad’s nose give way with a gut wrenching sound just an instant before his big helpless body smashed into the brick wall again, this time with blood draining from his nose and dripping down his sculptured chest.

The big man was out of it but somehow still on his feet.  His muscular body showed no attempt at self-defense, his big muscles were only flexing in reaction to the incredibly powerful fists and knees smashing into his helpless frame.

“Well!”  The kid finally started talking, “The big guy is saying you can build your muscles tough enough to hold off any attacker and he’s been kind enough to give us a demonstration.  Let’s see how true that is!”

Mike stepped forward and pushed the big man back against the brick wall with authority.  With one arm over Brad’s shoulder and another between his legs, the new guy lifted his massive opponent and body-slammed Brad to the hardwood floor, the impact knocked the wind from Brad’s powerfully built body.

“UUUUUUUUgh!   AAAARgh!  OOOOOOOOhhh!”  were the only sounds Brad could make as he slowly writhed at the feet of this tough young stud.

When Brad failed to make it to his feet, Mike just jumped in the air and dropped knee drops to the muscleman’s gut.  After knocking what little air was left from the champion’s body, the kid reinforced his dominance with two quick knee drops to Brad’s balls.   The big guy bounced on the floor, but his eyes were still not tracking each other.  Unsatisfied, Mike began slapping the big guy until he started to come around.  I don’t know if Brad could even hear the young stud as Mike stood above his beaten frame and gave him a full ration of shit.

I could tell Brad was starting to show seeds of consciousness.  I’ve seen him fight many times and I really doubt the wisdom of waking this dude up, but Mike was fighting like a man with a plan.  The new guy gripped one of Brad’s powerful legs then spun around while grabbing the other.  He dropped to the floor as Brad’s heavily muscled legs twisted into the form of the number four.  If the big dude wasn’t awake before he sure as hell was NOW!

“OH, GOD!!!” the muscular champ screamed as he bounced up off the floor and began to slap his hands against his massive thighs.  Mike leaned back out of reach just as the big stud took a swing, the kid’s motion locked the terrible hold on even tighter and once again, brad’s muscular body bounced off the floor as he screamed in agony.

“You’re right!”  The new guy yelled.  “You are one tough bastard.  Look at how well your muscles protect you from a little guy like me!  How about I break these big muscle-bound legs of yours?  What do you think, Big Man?”  Mike leaned back again cranking more devastating pressure on the heavily muscled man in his grasp.

“NO!  NO!  God, NO!” the big stud screamed.

“You want to give up?” Mike asked in amazement.  We all stared at Brad.  Here was one of the toughest men we knew, the guy we hired to make us tougher.  “Give it up, Muscleman!” Mike instructed as he turned up the heat.

“AAAAARGH!” Brad screamed.  The vicious little bastard was ready to break his damn legs.  “AAAARGH! Damn it!  I give! I give!” the champ screamed.

Mike just smiled at his captive, “Beg me for it.” He said in a soft controlled tone, adding more pressure just to make his point.

“AAAARGH!  You Bastard!”  Brad moaned in agony.  “Never!  I won’t beg!  Snap my goddamn legs if you have to, but you won’t make me beg!  AAAARGH”  Brad screamed helplessly as the pressure mounted again.

I was never more impressed with the big stud.  Shit he is tough as nails after all!

The kid seemed to relish the bigger man’s agonizing screams yet remained amazingly calm as be began to explain his plan, “I’m a reasonable man.” The kid smiled.  Mike was in control and Brad’s tough-guy bravado didn’t change things.  “I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  I want to see just how strong those big arms of yours are.  With all this weight gear you’ve got to have a tape measure around here somewhere.”  Mike looked me straight in the eye and said, “If you want to take any more lessons from the big man here, go to his desk and find a tape measure.”  I didn’t know what was up, but did as I was told.  Sure enough, in the left-hand drawer was a trusty tape.  I grabbed it and returned as fast as I could, not wanting to miss a thing.

“Here’s the deal, Champ.  You flex those big guns of yours and if you can stretch the tape to 19” I’ll let you go.  Sound fair?”  The kid was in the drivers’ seat and there wasn’t much Brad could do.  “Whatever you want.” He muttered. 

Brad finally had a way out. He didn’t have to beg, he could EARN his freedom. 

“Come on, Big Guy!” I encouraged him.  “You can do this.  Show this punk what you got!” I said as I wrapped the tape around Brad’s buff right arm.  I rarely get much of a glimpse of the dude’s guns.  I’m damn proud of mine, and now is my chance to see what he’s packing. 

Brad curled his big forearm up and his mighty biceps began to leap to attention.  Nearly 18’ cold! Shit! I’m impressed, I thought to myself.  “Crank it up, Stud!”  I shouted.  “Make it happen, Brad!”

Our instructor showed his toughness as he pumped and strained to stretch the tape as far as possible.  “18 and a half” I proudly announced as the big stud strained.  Brad began pumping his guns to force the tape higher and higher.  “18 and three quarters!” I proclaimed to the cheers of Brad’s students. 

Brad’s muscles strained and his massive arm grew harder and harder.  The peak on this stud’s arm was just plain incredible!  I really admire the big guy and I could have easily let the tape slide, but deep inside I just had to see what this power-stud was made of. 

Brad’s face was turning red and his rock-solid arm was shaking with force, “18 and 7/8ths”.  Damn, the muscle dude might actually pull this off!  “AAAAAARRRRRRR” The champ let out a mighty growl as he pumped his super-charged arm one more time.  My hero’s powerful body vibrated as he flexed with incredible force.  The tape stretched a tiny bit.  I could have let it slide.  I could have called it a day and let my man off the hook but I just HAD to see what this rugged fighter had in store for the big man.

“18 and 7/8ths it is!”  I shouted for all to hear as Brad’s big arm dropped and he slumped to the floor.  “Sorry, Big Man.  Not enough.” He said as Mike locked his legs again and again, cranking on the big screaming stud until he passed out in sheer agony. 

Most of us wondered if we should step in and break it up, but Wayne reminded us of our lesson: “No matter what happens, a battle is man-to-man and it must remain so”.  I wasn’t sure, but I’d swear I detected a hint of a smile on the face of the massive tackle.

As any sign of resistance faded, Mike released his devastating hold and jumped to his feet as if he was ready to take us all on.  The new guy began pointing and shouting directions like a Marine drill sergeant.  We looked in amazement, dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events.  “Do what you’re told or I’ll really trash this guy!” he shouted convincingly enough that we never questioned him again.

With one yank Mike pulled off Brad’s pants as one of the college studs returned with Brad’s wrestling shorts and his competitive fighting gloves.  The handsome hunk was no more than dead weight as the guys struggled to get him outfitted, not knowing for what.

On command the guys lifted Brad’s unconscious frame and tossed him under the bottom ropes of the practice ring while the new guy slipped out of his Karate pants, already wearing wrestling shorts joining the bigger stud in the ring.

Solidly gripping Brad’s muscular right arm, Mike unceremoniously pulled him to his feet and tossed our champion into the cross-buckle.  The new guy began slapping the big stud around to wake him up.  After a short time, Brad started staggering around, but it was clear he really had no idea where he was. 

Mike propped up the semi-conscious athlete in the corner with his massive arms over the ropes for support then ordered one of the guys to start the tape equipment.

As his plan started to become clear a couple of us jumped on the apron attempting to get Brad to the point he might be able to defend himself.  I massaged his shoulders while Wayne slapped him around in a desperate attempt to bring him around, at least I think that’s what he was doing.  It looked to me like he was enjoying himself a little too much.

“Come on big guy.” I urged.  “Get it together, Man!  I don’t know what this guy has planned but if you don’t want a royal ass kicking, you better get your shit together and do it NOW!”

“Clear the way, Kiddies!  It’s SHOWTIME!” Mike exclaimed.  By now in his own fighting gloves, the kid made his best effort to look like the fight had been in progress for some time.  Dumping a little water on his head, he shook it off creating the appearance of a man covered in sweat and ready to make a comeback.

With tape rolling, Mike moved in on his prey firing a few playful punches to Brad’s chest, shoulders and abs.  The big man tried desperately to get it together but could barely maintain his footing.  Brad barely got off a handful of worthless punches but his handsome physique was taking a ton of punishment. 

The rugged little dude took his time as he worked around the bigger stud.  For a time, it almost looked like Brad was making a comeback of sorts, but there was no way Mike would allow that.  Each time we thought Brad was getting it together the kid would corner the bigger man and press him back while working-over Brad’s picture perfect abdominals until the stud could hardly breathe!

Mike walked the helpless hunk along the ropes halfway between the ring posts Brad started to fall.  Mike pulled him up with the top rope in front of him and the middle rope behind, then pulled down on the big man’s head he spun him over the rope causing the ring ropes to twist tightly around the muscle stud’s waist his arms hanging uselessly behind the ropes.  Mike grinned as he began hammering away on Brad’s washboard stomach.  It didn’t take many of the kid’s power punches before the big dude doubled over.  Still the perfect target, Mike started hammering away with fists to the head until Brad’s big body stretched back with the ropes keeping him locked in position. 

With his man right where he wanted him, Mike again powered his fists into the abs of the stretched out defenseless athlete before him until once again the magnificent fighter doubled over becoming the perfect target for Mike to unload his canons with head shots.  And so, it went, time and time again, the big man’s abs stretched and destroyed preparing him for another series of head shots.

We thought the kid had lost all control as his unanswered punches smashed repeatedly into the muscleman’s undefended physique.  Brad was clearly helpless.  Even though we were instructed to NEVER interfere it was time to pull the kid off before some serious damage was done, but before we made a move the rugged young stud stepped back.

Brad was hanging motionless, the ropes being the only thing keeping him up.  His handsome face was puffy with swelling from the barrage of punches.  Blood from his nose, mouth and cuts around the eyes had been collected on the smaller fighter’s gloves and stamped up and down his rippling muscular body like some kind of surreal printing press.

The kid smiled for the cameras and wiping sweat from his forehead with his arm he began removing his gloves like a workman after a hard day on the job.  The so-called fight seemed to be over.

Our big buff trainer was hanging in the ropes trying desperately to catch his breath as the kid approached.  It was clear that Brad would not be launching an attack of his own in fact at this point defense was not even an option.  Mike reached his left hand forward to lift Brad’s head allowing the men to look eye to eye.  Well, about as much as you can with one eye swollen shut.

Mike slowly smiled and gave a knowing nod then stepped forward scooping his right arm between the big man’s legs and his left over Brad’s broad shoulder the kid demonstrated his considerable strength by ripping the big Karate champion from the ropes, spinning toward the center of the ring and dropping down smashing Brad’s back across the kid’s outstretched knee.

“UUUUUGGGGHH” was all Brad could get out before Mike let him fall to the canvas in a heap.  Catching a new wind, the kid lifted Brad’s right leg then powered his knee deep into the man’s once powerful thigh as they crashed back to the canvas.  “AAAAARRRRRRGGGHH” Brad moaned as his thick muscles were crushed.

With a solid grip on the weakened warrior’s big left arm, Mike lifted the big man and flung him into the ropes.  Brad helplessly ricocheted back toward the center of the ring as the kid slipped behind his man locking the big stud in his full nelson!  Mike maneuvered the muscular stud toward one of the cameras and began to slowly tighten his fearsome grip.  Unable to resist, Brad’s submission was not long in coming.  The more he begged the kid to stop the tighter the vicious hold became.  Mike crushed down harder and harder while Brad’s big muscular body disintegrated from his strength.

I had never seen a guy fall victim to such total manhandling.  Our buff trainer looked as though his powerful muscles were about to be wrenched from his very body.  I swear it looked like tears flowing from Brad’s battered face.  Finally, at long last, Mike released our badly defeated hero allowing the big stud to fall helplessly to the canvas.  I didn’t think it possible but Brad had been completely destroyed by the tough young stud!

Mike grabbed one of the big man’s guns, twisted it around behind his back, laced his leg underneath and dropped to the mat.  Brad’s scream was deafening but not enough to prevent the kid from cranking down again and again.  I couldn’t believe any man could take such a beating, or that any man would dish it out for that matter.

After rendering the big man’s arms useless, Mike again pulled his man to his feet.  Brad could no longer stand and slumped ready to fall before this rugged young stud.   Mike guided the muscleman’s head between his legs and gripping around Brad’s solid waist, he lifted the hunk in the air.  The kid held his man for a good ten seconds while we all knew what was coming.  Finally, with a jump they smashed to the canvas with Brad’s head taking the full force.

Our hero was completely out.  It was over.

Mike stood above the totally devastated athlete, planted a foot on Brad’s once magnificent chest then flexed his arms in a double-biceps pose for the cameras.  It’s funny, I didn’t think the stud looked very buff until that moment.

“Alright!” Mike shouted, “Funs over.  Move along.  Nothing to see here.” Like a traffic cop after a bad accident, but this was no accident.   As we packed our gear, we tried to make sense of what had happened here.  Was this planned?  And if so, for how long?  And WHY?

Thursday night we all showed up for training, not knowing what to expect but who could miss this?  The door was locked.  There was no sign of anyone inside and most of all, the parking space was empty.  We were about to call it a night when a bright red Corvette roadster squealed around the corner.  That was odd because Brad was never late.  As the mighty car pulled to the curb, we were shocked again …. Mike was alone in the car.

WHAT?  The kid jumped over the door and stood before us.  “Nice wheels, huh?”  We were all dumbfounded.  “Brad said they went with the place and I think he’s right.”   Mike reached out and unlocked the door.  “Let’s get started!” he ordered as we entered.  “Oh, by the way, Brad sold me the place last week.  I guess you guys left before that.  See, I make good money selling fight videos on the internet.  I think some of you guys could become stars.  What would you think of that?”  We were speechless.

“Well, get your gear ready.  We’ll be doing a lot more fighting from now on.  You guys wanted to get tough?  I’ll put you though drills you never imagined.”  All of a sudden, Mike was a completely different guy.

With just barely enough time for stretching, we were all in combat right off the bat.  We fought long and hard and as soon as your opponent was defeated there was another in his place.  Hour after grueling hour it was as though we were fighting for our very life.  Only after all of us were totally exhausted did we break for weightlifting.  Mike unloaded on us like we were fresh.  None of us had the energy to help clean up like the last class of the day would usually do.