The Lynx and the Duchess - Alena Stepanova vs. Keiko Yamamura

[CaptainL]

Match Type: Standard Match
Rules: Victory by pinfall, submission, or knockout.

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It was early into her incursion into LAW, but Alena Stepanova was going strong - and she had no regrets whatsoever. The Russian grappler was out to show the world that she was a force to be reckoned with, in the ring or in the octagon, and with the dominant displays she had put forth so far, no one could deny that she was living up to her own hype! She had already attracted plenty of attention, and plenty of fans - and all eyes were on her now, as she was prepared to go into a match against a fellow MMA alum, Keiko Yamamura, the Silver Lynx. Even as she stood backstage waiting for the call to go on, Alena was grinning to herself with anticipation of what the match would bring. From her time in the MMA world, she had heard Keiko's name passed around, and she knew she was a well-accomplished grappler herself. There were doubtlessly many fans who had speculated on who might come out on top if she and Alena butted heads. Alena herself had pondered that question - but never had there been a chance to see that question answered. Not until now!

And as usual, when Alena came out to the ring, she was going to do so in style! She was known for her flair for the dramatic just as much as she was for her fighting talents, and she had generated quite the buzz with the elaborate entrances she made to all of her matches. This would be no exception, as the lights shone down on the entrance ramp to the sounds of rolling drums and blaring trumpets. A group of bodyguards in suits and dark glasses were first to step out from behind the curtain, their heads held high and their arms folded behind their backs as they took point at several stations down the ramp. And at last, in the midst of it all, the curtains fluttered - and out stepped Alena herself, to the sounds of cheers!

Spoiler

Marching to the foot of the ramp, Alena took a microphone from one of the ring workers and held it to her mouth. "Llllladies and gentlemen! Your Grand Duchess has arrived!" she boomed - she didn't even need the ring announcer to do the talking for her! "You know one thing I like the most about LAW? It's that this promotion has brought together some of the biggest names in combat sports under one roof, all so that we might better compare our skills, and determine once and for all who the strongest fighter in the world is! Talents like myself, of course! But also our champions - legendary names like Astrid Arvidsson, Kat Hart, and Alaina Sanders! The mainstays like Yuki Kazikura and Alizeh Midori! And my opponent for the night - Keiko Yamamura!!"

Alena's callout won her a few more cheers. "Hers is a name I've heard before! She may not have the star power of some of us out there - but she's a rising star in the MMA circuit. And when I've been around the MMA world myself, I pick up a thing or two. Don't think that I haven't kept my ear to the ground. Don't think I don't know about who's talked about - who the press has named as the up-and-comers to watch out for! They, just as much as the champions of yesteryear with the proven, tried-and-true records to their names, are every bit worthy of me testing my skills against them. Worthy of being whom I prove my skills against!"

Alena kept the microphone in her hand as she began to climb up the ropes, ascending higher and higher with each step. "Yes, I've heard of Keiko Yamamura before! And yes, I've asked myself if she would prove a worthy opponent in a match against me! But never before have I had the opportunity to answer that - not until now that the two of us have been brought together under one banner!" There, Alena hopped off the turnbuckle to land in the ring. She surveyed the crowd with her gaze, pointing a finger out into the stands to get the attention of all watching. "Not until tonight! But tonight...I'm going to take Keiko Yamamura on! Head to head, woman to woman! And you have my word...I won't hold back!" Finally, she tossed the microphone aside and stepped over to the center of the ring. She cracked her knuckles, getting herself warmed up for the match ahead of her.

[Bare]

Keiko took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves, doing her best to stave off a anxiety attack before it could full set in. It was her second match in LAW, and unlike her first bout where she was significantly more calm this one had MANY more eyes on it and for a big reason. Her opponent. Alena Stepanova. It was a name Keiko knew very well, after all just like her she was very well known in the mixed combat sports scene, although being much more versed in the European circuit as opposed to Keiko in the Asian circuit.

Of course there was still plenty who wondered how the two would fare against the other, both having starting relatively close to one another, being similar in age with the only significant difference being their builds. A verifiable dream match yet it was happening thanks to LAW, just in a wrestling ring. Naturally there were a lot of expectations and it was a bit triggering for Keiko, setting off her nerves and anxiety like crazy and she was just hoping to squash them enough before their match started. Looking up and hearing the theme of her opponent Keiko's jaw would drop as her opponent came out to such a grand entrance, armed guards, a band, and a microphone?

"Is she cutting a promo on her way to the ring?" Keiko asked herself in shock, astounded by the confidence of this girl, and trying to imagine what she could possibly do come close to matching this grand entrance. Even the kind and uplifting words of Alena towards her wasn't quite enough to rise up her confidence. All she could really was take a few deep breaths to settle her nerves before looking up, her own entrance music starting up... which was still the generic rock music that she had been settled with since she was still figuring out her entrance theme.

'Oh this is embarrassing.' Keiko thought to herself knowing this would be nowhere near as good as Alena's entrance and came out, doing her best to smile and pose for the audience who admittedly still cheered and whooped for Keiko despite her own entrance being significantly more subdued compared to Alena's own as Keiko came down, high fiving fans and doing her best to look confident as she rather quickly made her way to the ring and entered without much flair. Turning to her opponent and taking another breath Keiko would force another, smaller smile on her face as she approached and offered a hand towards the Russian girl.

"Hello, I'm sorry I couldn't quite match the precedent you set, but I appreciate the words you said on you're way down, I can only hope that I provide the challenge you're looking for." Keiko said with a kind smile on her face, looking at Alena with a smile that became a bit more warm and genuine from looking at the radiance in front of her that was Alena Stepanova.

Spoiler

[CaptainL]

Though they were both rising stars in the MMA world, and both of them had garnered considerable buzz on the announcement they were coming to LAW, when it came to their personalities, Alena and Keiko couldn't be further apart. Faced with the weight of everyone's expectations, Keiko was practically crumbling under the pressure - she knew this was a dream match for several in the audience right now, and she could hardly imagine how she was going to measure up, let alone to confront all the eyes on her. Alena, on the other hand, was as confident and enthusiastic as ever. Every time she entered the ring, it was another opportunity for her to showcase her strength and her talents to the world; even if she was faced with a challenge, it would only serve as a greater accomplishment if she overcame it in spite of the odds! Alena knew that many people were waiting for this moment - but rather than shy away from it, she was getting caught up in the hype herself! If enough people had shown this much excitement over the notion of her taking on Keiko Yamamura, she was sure the Silver Lynx could only match her skills!

Even though Keiko's entrance was nowhere near as bombastic as Alena's, it didn't temper the Russian fighter's hype one bit. As soon as Keiko entered the ring, Alena stepped right up to her, the grin on her face beaming brightly as ever as she went to take her hand for a firm shake - regardless of whether or not Keiko was ready for it. "Don't sweat it one bit!" she chirped. "Theatrics are one thing...but what really matters is how well you can back yourself up when the bell rings. And that's what I'm excited for most of all!~"

[Bare]

Feelings of failure over her entrance aside Keiko was just glad to be in the ring and across from her opponent. Granted Alena was technically the cause of said feelings of failure, but only indirectly and it was clear she certainly wasn't looking to amplify said feelings. Smiling slightly at the Russian woman's energy and positive attitude it was just what Keiko needed to be put at ease a bit. That along with the match getting closer and closer to starting which was when Keiko was most at ease in a somewhat ironic way.

Smiling and nodding at her opponent Keiko would step forward and grip the woman's hand, surprised a little at the force of it but doing her best to meet it as she nodded. "I couldn't agree more, I can't wait to fight you." Keiko said with a nod before letting go of Alena's hand and backing up, raising her fists up in preparation and bending her knees, her face soon becoming near unrecognizable as she took a breath, a look of focus and competitiveness coming over her as she ignored the crowd, and focused on the fight ahead, on Alena, and readied herself for when the bell rang, aiming to circle and watch her opponent at first to counter, rather than go on the attack out of the gate.

[CaptainL]

Any hesitation Keiko might've held leading into this match was either completely lost on Alena, or else she just didn't care. For as bombastic as her entrance had been, the Russian grappler didn't think any less of her opponent for taking a more sedate approach by comparison. She was just eager to put her skills to the test against an opponent just as capable as she was - she'd heard Keiko's name before, and she couldn't wait to see how well she lived up to the hype! When Keiko stepped away from her, the confident grin on Alena's face would only grow wider as she balled a fist and pounded it against her palm. She was ready to put her best foot forward! "Let's do this!"

*DING DING DING*

With the sound of the bell, Alena's eyes fixed on Keiko, carefully watching every move she made. The two of them strafed around each other, tracing the perimeter of a circle in the middle of the ring. When it became apparent that Keiko wouldn't make the first move, however, Alena took it upon herself to kick off the action! She suddenly came running toward Keiko, raising a forearm and aiming it for her face. But that was just a feint - if Keiko took the bait and went to protect herself, Alena would instead attempt to hook her leg with her own, pulling forward on it to try and trip up her balance!

[Bare]

Despite her failure to match the intensity and splendor of Alena's entrance Keiko would not allow the same to happen for her match. Not if she could help it at least. Taking her final calming breath and bracing herself Keiko watched as the bell rang, circling around the Duchess and preparing to defend or counter against whatever the smaller woman would try first. Which evidently would appear to be a forearm strike. Simple, too simple if Keiko had to say but regardless she prepared for the strike just in case.

However just as she had initially thought the forearm strike was a ruse, something meant to distract her as Alena's leg instead came up, intertwining around her own leg and pulling forward to knock her down! 'Clever. but not enough!' Keiko though to herself as she pulled legs back and turned herself midair, extending her arms down beneath her to catch herself as she fell. If successful with the catch then Keiko would extend her arms up while swinging her leg out in order to try and connect it with Alena's own to try and catch her with a leg sweep and knock her down to her back!

[CaptainL]

Alena's boundless energy was certainly on display when she came running toward Keiko, throwing a forearm in the Silver Lynx's direction. But underlying that fire was the keen mind of a seasoned tactician. Alena might have been hotheaded, and perhaps her confidence was over-inflated, but she wasn't stupid. She knew that Keiko was just as much a veteran of the MMA circuit as she was, and she couldn't expect her to take such a simple opening head-on. Instead, Alena was hoping that Keiko would fall for the bait and leave her lower body unprotected, allowing her to sweep her off her feet. However, Keiko herself was thinking one step ahead! She had anticipated Alena might try and throw her for a loop - and just as the Russian girl took her off her feet, she brought her arms down to catch herself and brace herself against the impact!

Seeing her opponent touch down harmlessly, for a brief moment, Alena's brow furrowed in frustration. But it was only a second later that a smile broke across her face. Maybe Keiko was making this harder than she perhaps had anticipated...but that would only stoke Alena's excitement all the more, if it meant she had a worthy challenge to put herself up to! "You know, I could say the same about you!"

Alena wouldn't let herself be blindsided by Keiko's tactics, either! She had been in the octagon many times against many opponents, and she knew to anticipate what maneuvers her foes would make to set up advantageous positions. When Keiko swung her legs out behind her, Alena swerved backward, looking to dodge the blow! And if that worked, she would try to grab onto Keiko's outstretched leg, where she would twist at her ankle to apply some pressure with an ankle lock!

[Bare]

In a way unlike any other match this didn't feel like any other traditional MMA bout that Keiko had participated in, in fact it almost felt like a high stakes chess game. Perhaps it was because unlike any other match she was against someone held in as high a regard as herself with a brilliant mind, in a way it was as if they were a perfect match for each other, if not for their difference in confidence levels at least.

Regardless from a tactics stand point they were certainly close as while Alena had dropped Keiko early on she wasn't going to be made vulnerable so easily, the Eastern heiress managing to catch herself and swing her leg around in a effort to kick at Alena's own legs. Sure enough however Alena presented her own quick reflexes, moving back just in time to avoid the kick while managing to catch her foot!

'Damn!' Keiko thought to herself before wincing as she felt her foot start to twist, but she had a split second to turn things around, literally. Pushing up on her hands and twisting her hips Keiko would swing her free leg around while using the leg that Alena had a grip on to pull the Russian woman in, aiming to try and drive her heel directly into her opponent's jaw, knowing that she wouldn't be able to defend herself while her hands were busy holding her other foot!

[CaptainL]

Alena was always on the lookout for new and greater challenges, wanting to put herself up to the task against some of the most daunting foes combat sports had to offer. It wasn't enough for her to merely dominate in the lightweight division. She wanted to take on heavyweights, she wanted to take on men - she wanted to prove herself the greatest grappler in the world, regardless of category. But even though Keiko wasn't all that bigger than her, Alena already felt like she was being put to the test against a more than capable adversary. She was just as much an icon as Alena was - and now that they had met head to head, Keiko was proving that all the praise she'd received over the years was well warranted!

Even when she was on the ground, Keiko was proving herself to be no less capable. Alena had caught her incoming kick, but the Silver Lynx was undeterred, bracing herself against the mat and reeling her leg inward! With Keiko holding the size advantage, Alena struggled to hold her position against the force she exerted, and she went stumbling inward, right into the path of a kick with her other leg! With a crack, the Russian's chin was turned to the sky as she reeled backward with a cry. Her balance teetered before it finally gave out, and she dropped backward, her fingers slipping from around Keiko's other ankle.

But Alena wasn't about to concede any ground now - and she herself was still in this fight, a fact she was about to prove! Just as her back hit the mat, Alena would raise her hips in an attempt to roll with the force of the impact and avoid taking the brunt of the blow. Then, she'd kick her legs out in front of her, trying to throw them around the leg she had been holding onto, hopefully before Keiko could draw it back. She wouldn't let her out of her clutches!

[Bare]

Despite being on the mat from Alena's efforts Keiko wasn't about to allow herself to suffer a disadvantage so early on. Thankfully she was successful in pulling Alena in before pushing her back out, finally succeeding in getting her down to the mat in the process!

Unfortunately however it wasn't without its own risks for the Japanese woman as despite getting Alena down the woman was like a octopus, wrapping her legs around Keiko's own caught limb in what would surely be another devastating hold if Keiko didn't react in time.

Pushing her hands against the mat and twisting her hips Keiko would try and roll the two over so that Alena was on her stomach pushing off the mat once again to try and fling herself on top of the Russian's back! Given their legs were already wrapped around each other Keiko would just aim to wrap her arms around Alena's face to pull back and go for a STF submission!