Thanks so much for the reviews last chapter guys. It made this chapter very special as we finally get the match! And it's all from a different POV to get some back story.

Big thanks to Elsee07 for pre-reading this and giving me some helpful advice on this chapter.


As it was customary before an official match, they decided to hold a press conference a few hours before the charity match began. Both fighters, along with their managers and other important people fielding questions from the media and special ticket holders and contest winners, were present.

Zach had done this numerous times before so he was able to spout off answers without even really thinking about it. He could relax in his chair and daydream and would still look like a champion.

Unlike his opponent, who looked down and barely spoke more than five words when prompted.

Daryl Dixon.

The protege of Shawn fucking Greene.

Whoever this guy is, didn't matter. Zach knew he was gonna beat him today and nothing would get in his way. He was number one contender for the heavyweight championship and this guy wouldn't be stopping him in any way.

Daryl was the new guy. And although he had Shawn Greene in his corner, it meant nothing. He wasn't Shawn Greene. And that's who he really wanted to be fighting.

He met the Greene family years ago when he was first introduced to UFC fighting. He idolized Shawn and everything he stood for. Zach knew that Shawn was one of the greatest fighters in the competition and to beat Shawn, would sky rocket Zach' career in a heartbeat. So he followed Shawn's every move and learned everything he could about him.

When Shawn became champion, it felt like everything was falling into place. Zach was moving up in the league, he began to have some smaller level sponsors and he was becoming famous. But when Shawn got into his accident, everything changed.

It became about Shawn and his recovery and would he ever fight again. The spotlight was falling off Zach and he didn't like it one bit. So he started dating Shawn's little sister Beth. Sure she was cute and would fall overself to please him but she was merely a pawn in his game to succeed. He made it seem that he was being there for the family and he started winning fights for the Greene family or Shawn specifically.

The media loved it.

Soon, everyone knew who he was and he was beginning to surpass Shawn's notoriety. He became the up and comer who would be champion and he knew he could finally let go of the Greene family.

He started by dumping Beth and blaming it on them wanting two different things. Truth was, he was glad to have taken her virginity as another notch on his bed post, but frankly, she was dry in the bedroom. She had nothing to her and it was terrible to go through. Hence why he started sleeping with another girl in the meantime.

He had known Amy for awhile and she oozed sexuality. Yeah her boobs were fake but she knew how to work a man and enjoy herself. Once he dumped Beth, Amy wanted more commitment so of course he proposed to her. THe UFC loved the family dynamic of fighters and if you could have the picture perfect family, they were more than willing to help you out with your career.

Beth could have fit the bill as well but he didn't feel like teaching her what sex was all about. Amy knew what she was doing and he could get his rocks off whenever, however and wherever he wanted.

He maintained the facade of being the caring ex-boyfriend and friend of Shawn Greene to make him look like the good guy. He was the one making the large donation to Shawn's charity so he looked like the bigger person.

With Beth keeping out of the media and spotlight, she just seemed like the jealous ex who couldn't handle being replaced by someone more beautiful and vivacious.

Maybe some would call him an asshole but he saw himself as an opportunist. His manager, Phillip Blake had told him from the get-go, you have to take chances to get yourself further and he did just that.

Fighting Dixon was gonna solidify his career. He'd beat him and show them all that he was better than anything Shawn Greene could produce. Then he would get his match against Martinez and he would become the next champion.

Then he would barely have to get out of bed and he would be making money.

Once the questions were over he and Daryl came around the table and stood beside one another as the announcer stated their stats. WIth Daryl being a newcomer, he didn't have many, but Zach grinned large when they announced him. The crowd went wild and he lifted his arms up in the air to really rile up the crowd.

Generally, when you stand across from your opponent in a press conference for everyone to take your pictures, you're sizing up the competition and intimidating them. Zach would take this time to break them down and find their weakness.

Maybe they had a slight limp in their leg or a swivel to their hip. When flexing their arm muscles for their pose, maybe you could see strain on their face.

Zach didn't see a thing wrong with Dixon.

The man was built and he had a few good inches over him. His face was solid and stone, not a single emotion on his face. He stared towards the back of the room and remained a statue while the cameras flashed.

It wasn't until they faced each other that he finally saw a glimmer of something in the man's eyes.

Anger.

But why was he angry? He should be happy to be having his first fight, although it was an off the record fight. Dixon should have zero anger towards him and yet, he could see the fire behind his eyes. The need to hit him was there.

And it left Zach confused and worried.


The rest of the afternoon went by quickly but Zach barely noticed. His mind was reeling from the press conference and from what he saw in Dixon. The fire was burning bright in his eyes, like he had something to fight for.

Which, he guessed was his reputation at this point, with all eyes on Dixon tonight with his first match. But there was something else. It was the way his body tensed as he looked over Zach. His hands clenching and unclenching.

Zach had gotten his manager to pull up a video of that moment from online and Zach studied the body language of Daryl. His body seemed to stiffen and his feet were swaying. Like he wanted to give him a punch.

It was confusing and frustrating at the same time.

What did Daryl have against him? Shawn was a professional and would never let him personal feelings get in the way of a match. The only thing that family had to be angry about was Beth and frankly, she wasn't the type of person who would open up to them about their relationship. She was quiet and reserved and she didn't need to bring that shit up.

What was it then?

His manager Philip Blake saw the struggle and commented about Dixon as well.

"Man looks ready to tear you apart," he spoke in his southern drawl. Zach agreed. Phillip understood and said he would find out whatever he could from the other camp. If there was one thing this man was worth, was finding out his opponent's weaknesses.

About a half hour before the fight, Phillip came into the room with the official so that he would initial the tape and check the equipment before it was placed on. It was standard protocol and it was something Zach took seriously. He would never do anything like physically cheat in a match, he had seen too many people lose with that. Instead, he played with them mentally and it worked every time.

Once the official was happy with how things were, he left and Phillip asked for a few minutes alone with Zach. His medical team left, and Amy kissed him before going to find her seat. Phillip took a seat on the bench and patted the spot next to him. Zach took a seat and waited for Phillip to talk.

"Think I found your golden ticket with Dixon," Philip proclaimed, grabbing his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. He pushed a few buttons and a video came up on the screen.

The sound was terrible, as it was recorded on another cell phone and there was a lot of noise going on in the background, but he saw both Dixons and the Greene family huddled in a circle, at the beginning of a prayer.

Hershel was a Christian man and believed that having God in your corner was what protected them in the ring from serious injury or harm. Zach had been a part of these prayer circles before but while they were speaking the words of the Lord, he was too busy picturing what sex position he could try with Amy that night.

Zach watched the screen, paying close attention to Dixon and waiting for something to happen. Like, a big neon sign pointing at exactly he was supposed to be looking at. He saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Beside Dixon was his brother Merle, and on the other side was Beth. She was holding hands with her father as he spoke. But it was the body language between Beth and Daryl that soon piqued his interest and it caught the cameraman's interest too. The video started to zoom in on Beth and Daryl and their close proximity.

They were also pressed closely up to one another, shielding their hands from everyone else. He could even see Daryl's thumb, rubbing up against Beth's dainty hand. When the prayer was finished, and everyone started to let go, you could see her squeeze Daryl's hand in reassurance and then they did let go.

Shawn ushered his sisters away for them to find their seats, and as they walked, the camera pointed directly to Daryl who kept his eyes trained on Beth the entire time.

The video ended and Zach looked up to Phillip with the biggest smile on his face.

"Gotcha."


With the lights on the center ring, and the announcer going over the rules, Zach stared down Daryl with an intense gaze and a smirk on his face.

Daryl on the other hand was staring right back with aggression and hostility. Which only fueled Zach even more.

He knew exactly what was going to happen and he couldn't wait.

The second the bell rang, starting the first round, Daryl pounced and got in a few good punches on Zach. He was expecting them and managed to cover his face from getting the brunt of the hit but it still hurt.

Man could throw a punch.

He managed to gather himself and pulled back into a fighting stance. He glared at Daryl who looked ready to get back into it.

"Gotta say, I'm impressed, Dixon," Zach spoke through his mouth guard. "Was expecting you to fumble around a bit with nerves."

"I'm full of surprises," he replied as they danced around each other, waiting to make their move.

"That's true. In fact I was surprised to hear about you and Beth," Zach said and waited for Daryl to freeze up at the mention of the girl. He got what he was hoping for and got a few kicks on Daryl before he backed off.

It took a few moments for Daryl to get back into his stance and he looked even angrier than before.

"You don't talk about Beth!" he huffed, his breath becoming hard and labored.

"I'm surprised you'd want to be with someone like her. Girl was the worst lay I've ever had. But at least I can say that I tapped her first." Zach said, giving a giant grin.

Daryl flew into a fit of rage and threw himself into Zach. They scrabbled on the floor for a minute, Daryl punching as hard as he could but Zach was waiting for this burst of energy and managed to reverse their positions.

Holding Daryl's head between his arms, he wrapped his legs around his waist and held on tight. It was the guillotine move that Zach was most well known for and as he felt Daryl start to tire and panic from the pressure on his throat, Zach couldn't help but get a few more words out to him.

"You're nothing but a piece of shit, Dixon, you can't beat me," Zach spoke directly to Daryl. "I know it, the fans know it and now your team knows it."

He felt Daryl tap his leg in submission and Zach let go. He spit out his mouth guard towards his corner, and turned back towards Daryl, who was panting on the mat.

"Guys like me get girls like Beth. Not redneck trash like you," he grinned, walking back to his corner to get congratulated by his team.

The crowd was cheering loudly over his win and Zach lifted his arms in victory. He looked back at Daryl who was being helped up by Shawn and the team medic.

He was proud.

He wanted to make an example of Dixon and he accomplished that. They didn't even go a full round; showing what a newbie he truly was to the octagon.

He had brought Shawn down a couple pegs and he embarrassed the new guy. Life couldn't get any better for Zach Smith.


Yeah, don't kill me. He had to lose against Zach, I've always planned for this to happen. Next, we're gonna see what's running through Daryl's mind after this loss.

Thanks for reading and please leave a review.