Chapter 27 - Fighting for Money!

"You're going to win for sure, Vernon!" Colin clapped and cheered, encouraging Vernon, who looked uncertain.

Vernon had no other choice because he desperately needed the money, and Colin kept pressuring him. He entered the ring, wearing his blue boxing gloves.

The spectators immediately burst into laughter as Vernon stepped into the ring.

"Who's that skinny guy?!" One of Owen's loyal supporters sneered. "How dare he challenge our MMA King!"

"He looks more like a walking skeleton than a fighter!" Another spectator jeered.

Laughter and insults filled the warehouse, packed with 500 spectators from all walks of life. The wealthy watched from the VIP rooms on the second floor.

Vernon tried to stay calm and ignore the insults, even though they really annoyed him.

Owen, standing in the left corner of the ring, smirked mockingly. "Are you tired of living, boy? Is that why you joined this fight?"

Vernon swallowed hard as he looked at Owen's bulging muscles—his arms, abs, and legs all looked solid and defined.

Owen's body was covered in muscles and tattoos. He stood about 6'2" inches tall, making him look twice Vernon's size.

He seemed more like a monster than a man, completely different from Vernon. Even though Owen was old, maybe around 40, Vernon couldn't underestimate him because Owen was still very fit and strong.

Could Vernon defeat him without relying on the system?

Vernon shook his head slightly, trying to push the thought aside. He had to stay optimistic and fight hard to win this match.

The referee entered and said, "There are no special rules in this fight. Both fighters can use any martial art. If one fighter dies or can't get up within ten seconds, he's declared the loser. Got it?!"

Vernon nodded.

The referee stepped back as the bell rang loudly, signaling the start of the fight.

"Who did you bring here, Colin?" A beautiful woman stood next to him, blowing smoke into the air.

"He looks like a loser," added the woman, who was wearing black shorts and a tank top, showing off her cleavage.

Colin laughed at that. "Don't judge someone by their looks, babe. He's stronger than you think."

"Stop calling me that disgusting word, idiot." Stella tossed her cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. "Before I crush you like that cigarette butt."

"You're terrifying. No wonder you once won the UFC Woman's Strawweight Champion."

"You haven't answered my question."

"He's my friend and a fighter at Vagon BootCamp."

"What's his rank?" Stella cracked open a beer can, the sound hissing out. She took a casual sip, waiting for Colin's answer.

"F."

Stella spit out her drink, coughing when she heard that. "F?! Are you crazy?! He could die fighting Owen! Have you forgotten who—"

"I told you before, 'Vernon's stronger than you think.' You'll see for yourself."

Stella watched the fight with little interest. Vernon was just dodging as Owen threw his punches.

From his body language, Vernon looked panicked and hesitant.

'I don't think he can beat him.'

A goofy-looking man yelled as he circled the ring. "Who's rooting for Owen?!"

The crowd roared so loud that the ground seemed to shake with their enthusiastic cheers.

"Who's supporting Vernon?!" Leo shouted.

The entire audience booed and cursed at the mention of his name.

"I am!" Colin raised his hand confidently, making everyone laugh at him.

"Who is this guy? Is he new to boxing? Anyone can guess the winner just by looking at their bodies," one spectator sneered.

"Did you bring the money?" Leo grinned slyly.

"Of course. I wouldn't come empty-handed." Colin pulled out a wad of cash, totaling $50,000.

Leo took it and placed it in a clear box, setting it in front of the crowd.

"Colin, today's challenger is betting $50,000 against my boss's fighter!"

The crowd laughed even harder at Colin, calling him a fool.

'Damn! Why did Colin give him that much money?!' Vernon cursed, his focus slipping, just as Owen's punch landed on his face. He didn't see it coming, and the blow sent him flying into the ropes.

Cheers echoed through the warehouse as Owen knocked Vernon down. He raised both his fists in arrogance.

'Fu*k! His punches are stronger than Oliver's!' Vernon struggled to his feet, stretching the injured muscles in his neck.

"Are you sure your fighter can beat Jonny's?" Leo sneered, mocking him.

"You have no idea who he is. I'm sure I'll be going home with my money and your boss," Colin shot back.

"I've never seen you this confident."

"That's because you don't know anything about Vernon."

Stella quietly glanced at the two men whispering beside her, curious. But the noise of the crowd drowned out their conversation, so she couldn't hear them clearly.

'Is he trying to go broke again?'

Vernon focused on observing Owen's movements as he kept throwing combinations—jab, hook, cross. But Vernon chose to dodge instead of blocking, knowing his guard wouldn't hold up. His bones would break if he tried to block Owen's punches.

"Hit him, you idiot! We didn't pay big money to watch this boring fight!" The crowd protested as Vernon didn't throw any punches.

He was looking for an opening, a chance to hit Owen's vital points. He knew his punches wouldn't hurt Owen much because his skin was thick as a rhino's and his bones were like steel.

Sweat dripped from Vernon's chin as panic and tension gripped him. This fight was scarier than any of his previous ones—against Mico, Oliver, Colin, even Ronald and Carlos.

He had to defeat a former MMA champion with minimal skills.

The spotlight made the arena feel hot. The crowd's cheers made it hard to focus.

'What technique and strategy should I use to beat him? Owen must have mastered all the Muay Thai and boxing techniques because he's more experienced than I am.'

'I feel like I have no choice but to let him kill me.'

Vernon kept jumping, ducking, or deflecting as Owen unleashed his kicks and punches.

After watching Owen's movements, Vernon finally saw his weakness.

Owen wasn't agile or fast like most MMA fighters, but he had deadly kicks and punches.

If Vernon got hit by one of those blows, his bones would shatter, and he wouldn't get back up. Maybe that was why Owen once held the MMA championship.

His hands were bigger than a normal adult's, even though his height was average.

It was like he had deadly weapons built into his body.