ONE ON ON FT. 2FACE RODRIGUEZ
[The video feed goes live from the Kratos Combat facility in Boston, Massachusetts. In the background the sounds of your every day training can be heard, with grunts, some cursing and most notably the sound of gloves popping sporadically here and there. The camera pans to find Isaac Cohen on the left with Lightweight challenger 2Face Rodriguez to the left, Delaney Donovan flanking him off to the side slightly.]
ISAAC COHEN: “We’re here, ladies and gentlemen, for the very first episode of one on one at Kratos Combat with Lightweight challenger 2Face Rodriguez. I’ve got to ask, where did you pick up the moniker of 2Face? That can’t be your real name, right?”
[There’s a pause where the challenger glances over his shoulder at the looming man behind him. Donovan nods his head and Rodriguez turns back to answer.]
2FACE RODRIGUEZ: “It is the name my abuela gave me. She would say I am a man of two faces. Angry on the outside. Calm on the inside. Everyone says this about me. So, I stick with it. This is my name now.”
ISAAC COHEN: “That’s very interesting. Well, 2Face, the other divisions in Union Grand Prix have seen a number of different challengers and champions, with the titles changing hands rather frequently. But the Lightweight division has been one of steady consistency. First with the man behind you clearing the division out twice, setting and breaking records and generally being heavily discussed in conversations of the greatest pound for pound fighter of all time. That reign was brought to a close by the woman you will be facing soon enough and her own reign has been a dominant one. What makes you believe that you can upset the apple cart, so to speak?
[The challenger grits his teeth at the mention of Holloway’s dominance. He clearly isn’t a fan.]
2FACE RODRIGUEZ: “There is no dominance shown. She could not finish fight against Delaney when everyone knew he wanted to retire. And knocking out Alistair McKay? Heh. I am no pussy bitch like that man. She will not do this to me. I will break her, simple as that. No more fairy tale. 2Face say fuck the happy ending.”
[Cohen shifts in his seat, perhaps a bit uncomfortable with the rage that seems to be radiating off of the man sitting across from him. Almost as though he senses this, Delaney reaches his hand down and gently pats Rodriguez on the shoulder, causing the challenger, who had leaned forward and drawn himself closer to the interviewer, to take a deep breath and lean back in his chair, opening his arms wide in a gesture that he apparently assumed seemed welcoming and friendly.]
ISAAC COHEN: “Critics might note that you have only finished one of your three fights after coming out of Dante Reeds endeavor to find and provide opportunities for young fighters such as yourself. Speaking of, Paige Holloway has over 30 fights to her name. That is a massive discrepancy in experience. How do you plan to overcome this?”
[2Face shrugs as though he is unconcerned.]
2FACE RODRIGUEZ: “It is no problem. I have best corner in the world. I have best camp in the world. I am not worried. She may have thirty fights but she has zero fights against 2Face.”
ISAAC COHEN: “So no fear of disappointing the home crowd?”
[The challenger doesn’t respond with any words, just a snort of derision and a smirk.]
ISAAC COHEN: “Then will it bear any special significance to you if you happen to become the Lightweight Champion in the city of Angels, the city you call home?”
2FACE RODRIGUEZ: “Of course it will be special. I will fight to honor my abuela, and all of my family who came before me. Those who have come from Mexico to America to allow me to have this sort of opportunity. I will fight for them. I will fight for Kratos. But most of all I fight for me. But it is not that it is in Los Angeles that will make it special. It will be because the world will be forced to acknowledge what I already know that I am. The best fighter in this company. Better than anyone else here, in Ryojin, in Everest or any other company. As I said. This is the end of a short fairy tale, and the beginning of a nightmare for all of the Lightweight Division.”
[Standing up, 2Face strips the lapel mic and tosses it onto the chair before him. He looks at Isaac Cohen in annoyance before speaking.]
2FACE RODRIGUEZ: “No more question. Watch fight. There you will see only answer you need.”
[Without saying anything further, Rodriguez exits from camera shot.]
DELANEY DONOVAN: “Well, you heard the man. No more questions. Good to see you as always, Isaac.”
[The former Lightweight champion shakes Isaac Cohens hand before the camera zooms in to focus solely on the reporter.]
ISAAC COHEN: “Well, there you have it ladies and gentlemen. We’ve got a red hot challenger coming for the throat of Ram-Paige herself. Can he make good on his promises? You’ll have to tune in and find out for yourself live on the Battleground Network.”
[Cohen nods, and the scene fades to its conclusion.]
