Eric and Greg circled each other. A few students at Chen MMA watched. The center was packed. Some rolled on the mats. Others hit the heavy bags.
“They’re not doing anything,” someone said.
“I know,” another responded. “That’s how Sensei wants it. We’re supposed to roll without getting hurt.”
Eric had thrown a few crosses. That was it.
Greg had shot in. He had tried to take Eric to the mat. Eric had managed to sprawl and stop him. But Greg was having success. He’d moved Eric all over the mat. Eric wasn’t sharp with his striking punches. If this were a real match, he would’ve lost.
Eric knew Sensei Chen was watching them. He was working nearby with other students. What was he thinking?
“You want to go to the ground?” Greg asked.
“No,” Eric said. He was annoyed.
The only person Eric could see was Dan. He couldn’t shake the image. Dan was really skilled on his feet. He could probably outbox Eric. That wasn’t going to happen. He couldn’t let it. Eric couldn’t lose to a girl.
But he wouldn’t be losing to a girl. He’d be losing to a girl becoming a boy.
“You can’t even beat her?” people would say.
Those thoughts were hard to block. Great punches were important. He had to be able to compete against Dan. Getting Dan to the mat should be easy. What if it wasn’t?
Was Dan competitive on the ground? He’d won some trophies.
Eric needed to keep his advantage. He would continue to work on his ground game. And continue to train for a standing contest.
Be prepared. Be prepared, he repeated in his head.