It was simply heavy.
Trent crashed backward onto the foam mats.
THUD.
The crowd went silent.
Even the jukebox suddenly seemed louder.
Trent scrambled back to his feet.
His face was red.
The smirk was gone.
A dirt-poor farmer had just put him on his back.
Big Eli remained exactly where he was.
He wiped his mouth.
Then looked at the smear on his thumb.
He didn't want to be there.
He hated the adrenaline rushing through his body.
It felt like poison.
"You're dead!"
Trent charged again.
His stance changed.
He lowered his hands and prepared to drive into Big Eli's waist.
He wanted to take the old man down.
Big Eli sighed.
He rolled his broad shoulders.
The joints popped.
And something changed.
He stopped trying to look small.
His hips squared.
His feet settled.
His posture became completely grounded.
His hands remained low.
Open.
Relaxed.
Trent charged.
He expected panic.
Instead, Big Eli made one tiny adjustment.
Just one step.
Barely an inch.
But it changed the entire angle.
Trent's shoulder drove toward empty space.
Big Eli was no longer there.
The farmer's large, calloused hand caught the back of Trent's neck.
He redirected the young man's momentum.
Trent lost his balance.
And crashed forward onto the mats.
The crowd exploded.
Before Trent could recover, Big Eli controlled his position.
He didn't strike.
He didn't lash out.
He simply used his weight and leverage to keep the younger man grounded.
Trent thrashed.
He twisted.
He tried to escape.
But Big Eli was like an anvil.
The old farmer's breathing remained slow and steady.
His eyes moved toward the cracked digital clock on the wall.
Forty-five seconds left.
"Get off me!"
Trent's voice was muffled by the mat.
He struggled again.
Big Eli maintained his position without striking.
The crowd began screaming.
Thirty seconds.
Then twenty.
Trent's explosive movements became weaker.
His breathing became heavier.
The young fighter's confidence was disappearing by the second.
Big Eli leaned closer.
"Save your breath, son."
His voice was quiet.
Almost fatherly.
The crowd continued roaring.
Trent had nothing left.
"TIME!"