Sophie Percot sighed, as her husband, Alan, massaged her shoulders. She’d always made an effort to stay in shape, running, dieting, even through a pregnancy. The results were a slender, slightly toned frame, ideal for a small run, or a revealing dress. Everyone in her family and friend circle had complimented her on her body, her routine and her discipline, but the reality revealed itself one fine summer day at the extended family reunion. Sophie was playing tug of war with her family, split into 2 teams, and she was worse than useless. Her strength was borderline zero, and at the first pull she was yanked forward, sprawled onto the grass.
She’d managed to play it off, but the truth was visible, and then made apparent when Sophie’s cousin challenged her to an arm wrestle, in which she lost 4 straight rounds, all within 2 seconds.
Since that humiliation 2 years ago, Sophie had repeatedly tried to build muscle, but motivation abandoned her every time. All this led to her and her husband preparing for a meeting with the manager of a local recreational “fight club”. Her husband had been apart of it for a year and 6 months now, before this he had always struggled with maintaining a good physique. His exact words were “I knew I had to stay fit and strong with good cardio, otherwise I’d be getting whooped by every opponent. Plus it’s just good fun”
Sophie and Alan got up as the doorbell rang, and in walked a strapping 6’4 man, with a Scottish accent. “Hey Alan, you must be Sophie” the man eyed Sophie up and down with his hazel eyes, and looked unimpressed.
They sat down around their coffee table, the sounds of their 4 year old son playing upstairs. Sophie started first “so, can you tell me about this fight club? I’ve gotta say, I’m more than a little nervous about joining”
The man nodded “ok, so I run this club, with the main goal to be connecting people, men or women who want to have arranged fights within safe rules and limits. My main job is keeping up the club, and refereeing fights.”
Sophie nodded, “what are the rules? And…I guess, how’s the club facilities”
The man smirked, “ok, so the club’s proper posh, with changing rooms, a doctor’s office, and a good few match rooms. The match rooms are basically matted or padded areas with seating around to house spectators who are there to support their fighters.”
Sophie smiled at her husband, thinking of him cornering her for a fight, the thought turned her on slightly as the man continued
“So the rules are fairly simple, if you pin your opponent for 20 seconds you win, or if your opponent submits, you win.”
Sophie faltered internally, sounded like they preferred making an opponent submit, 20 seconds was a long time to hold another woman down.
“Slaps to the face are allowed, and hair pulling is allowed, though not hard, if you rip someone’s hair out they get to have a free shot or you forfeit the fight.”
Sophie nodded “seems fair, so hair pulling is more for control and leverage than for hurting”
The man smiled, “exactly, you get it! Lastly, punches to the gut are allowed”
Sophie nodded, holding her husband’s hand “ok… so how do fights get arranged, and is it competitive?”
Alan took this question “there is a title, held by whoever is the champ at the moment. That’s typically the best wrestler, obviously, and anyone can challenge anyone. However for those starting out, Jake,” Alan gestures at the big Scotsman “he typically pairs you up for fights when you want, and he’ll give you reasonable fights with other women starting out.”
The man, Jake, nodded. “If you’re interested in signing up, I’ve got 2 new joiners this month and 3 women who are still within their first 3 fights, they joined last month, they’re all like you, adults with adult responsibilities, they’re not coming here to hurt and beat up your face, they just want a nice fight with safety nets so they get the thrill and competition, without the fear of walking into work with a black eye.”
Sophie smiled, “ok…ok I’m in.” Alan smiled, putting his arm around Sophie “So Jake, who’s my wife got first? Someone new as well I hope” Alan had a protective edge in his voice, Sophie hoped he kept that if he saw her lose. As the thought crossed her mind, a pang of dread arrived, what if she lost, in front of her husband, to another woman. The humiliation alone would cripple her, especially if she had to submit to the other woman.
All these thoughts were overshadowed as Jake told her about her first opponent “so, she’s a 23 year old, med student, she’s pretty slim. She’s engaged and joined up because she got into a pub fight and enjoyed it.”
Alan scoffed a little, politely “c’mon man, you want my 34 year old wife, a mum, to go up against a girl who gets into pub fights?”
Jack nods, understandable “I get it, but she’s only been in one pub fight, and she lost quite badly, but still liked it. She’s also pretty slim and is only 5’2.”
Sophie’s spirits lifted a little, 5’2 ? Sophie herself was 5’6, she’d be much bigger than her opponent, and if this girl was slim, she’d probably be able to outmuscle her too, this sounded perfect.
“Ok, when should we meet?” Sophie said
The man smiled, “Well, bring whatever clothes you feel comfortable fighting in to the club on friday night, 8 PM is the time she said worked for her, you 2 will talk first and if you agree, I’ll ref the fight personally.”
Sophie nodded, and the man got up, dusting himself off as Alan told him to charge his club account.
Alan gave Sophie a quick peck, saying softly “you sure about this?” Sophie nodded “yeah! Honestly, this is so fucking exciting, plus, I’ve been bored just being suburban mum and a career woman, I wanna see what this is like.”
Friday came faster than Sophie thought, as she walked into the club. Her pale skin was covered by black leggings and a purple short sleeved shirt. Her brown hair already in a ponytail. Her gym bag carried a change of clothes, and Alan carried confidence, he’s been her hype man in the days leading up to this. She spotted a youthful looking couple, the man in jeans and a shirt, and a young blonde looking nervous, dressed in navy blue scrubs.
“Oh hiii!” The woman said excitedly, though her nerves were apparent. She approached Sophie and wrapped her in a quick hug. This woman was certainly slim, and at only 5’2 she didn’t look like much.
“Sorry for my clothes, I have a change, but I just arrived from the hospital” she gestured to her scrubs
“Oh that’s alright” Sophie said quickly, happy to see her opponent as outwardly nervous as she was feeling internally.
“So…I guess you and I are fighting?” The woman said, “I’m Lavinia by the way,” she brushed her blonde hair out of her green eyes before offering a hand, which Sophie took with no hesitation.
Sophie said “so, you got the rules?” Lavinia nodded “and you’ve got your attire?” Another nod from the small blonde med student. “Ok…well, I don’t see any reason to not fight you, what room are we in babe?” Sophie asked, turning to Alan
Alan responded quickly “room 4, I guess you’re her cornerman?” Alan offered a hand to the other man, who shook firmly “Joseph, and her fiancé…the winner’s fiancé” Lavinia swatted at Joseph’s arm, “oh stop it, I’ll try my best but I don’t know how this is going to go.”
Sophie loved hearing that, even though she knew her opponent had been in a fight, was probably ever so slightly more experience than her.
“Ok! So I guess I’ll go get changed, Jake is already in there.”
The next few moments were a blur, Sophie warming up alone on the mat, with Jake standing their, stoic. Alan had given her a quick peck before letting her on the mat. Now Lavinia approached, receiving a kiss and a hug from her fiancé before she stepped onto the mat. She was dressed in a black sports bra and white leggings, her stomach was toned, and she was wearing a nervous smile. She nodded to Jake as she and Sophie squared up, separated by Jake.
Jake said sharply “women, are you ready?” Lavinia nodded, “yep!” Sophie nodded. And waited for Jake to begin the fight. She kept waiting, staring at Lavinia, glancing up and down before realising, Jake was still looking at her expectantly.
“Sophie, you need to say if you’re ready, nodding isn’t enough.”
“Oh,” Sophie flushed, already a bit embarrassed “yeah I’m ready”. Jake nodded, and said “ok, 3! 2! 1! Fight!”
It started quick, as Sophie immediately tangled 2 hands into Lavinia’s hair, trying to pull her head backwards and push her back. Lavinia whimpered and yelped, and swatted at Sophie’s hands, as she began being forced back by the bigger woman.
Lavinia planted herself, now forcing a stalemate. Her hands were clasped firmly around Sophie’s wrists as they stayed there, tensing and testing each other’s strength.
“Fuck” Sophie thought, “she’s stronger than she looks” Sophie thought about it, both Lavinia’s hands were occupied, but she couldn’t take advantage because they were occupied with holding onto her hands. She could kick Lavinia in the gut, but that wasn’t in the rules, or she could headbutt Lavinia, also not in the rules, and she’d probably hurt herself before anything else.
All this deliberation came to an end when Lavinia’s hands left Sophie’s wrists, and instead rounded her face. First the left slap came, stinging sophie’s cheek, before the right came to swing her head to the side. Lavinia went for another slap, landing it and Sophie let out a big “OH!” as she stumbled backwards.
Lavinia approached, chasing down Sophie. Sophie sprang her hands out and caught Lavinia in the face, halting her momentum. Sophie backtracked, creating some distance between the 2. “Fuck” Sophie whispered, and Alan was heard clapping “c’mon, reset Sophie!”
Lavinia pressed again,this time grabbing Sophie’s brown ponytail. Sophie rang 2 swift slaps across Lavinia’s face with her right hand, drawing small cries of pain but Lavinia yanked Sophie by the hair all the same. Lavinia dragged Sophie once to her right, sending her stumbling and squealing.
Sophie flailed her arms, hoping to slap Lavinia again, but missed. Lavinia then yanked Sophie’s ponytail again and sent Sophie crashing to the mat on her back.
Sophie, a bit dazed heard Alan exclaim “Shit!” And Lavinia’s fiancée, Joseph yell “get her Lavinia! C’mon!”
Lavinia appeared in Sophie’s vision and panic filled her up, ‘fuck,fuck,fuck,fuck’ Sophie thought, as she tried to use her hips to guard again Lavinia straddling her.
Lavinia passed Sophie’s hips easily, still on her knees, and was moving towards her head with god knows what intent, but Sophie finally had some luck with her slaps.
The first slap caught Lavinia right on the cheek, the second jerked her head to the side. Sophie grabbed Lavinia’s hair, which was loose, not in a ponytail, not tied back, ‘not smart’ Sophie thought happily. Sophie yanked Lavinia’s head to the side, and rang 1,2,3,4,5,6, more slaps with her other hand.
Lavinia groaned in pain, and shoved Sophie, already on her back, getting some separation. Lavinia stood upright and walked away. Sophie heard her exclaiming “god damn it!” But didn’t waste any time on her back,
Sophie sprang up, adrenaline surging as she saw Lavinia nursing her cheek, her back turned on her. Joseph had barely cried out “behind you!” When Sophie pounced onto the smaller woman’s back, wrapping her arms around her neck like she’d seen in action movies.
Lavinia couldn’t handle the weight of the woman who had 4 inches on her, and crumpled to the floor, struggling and kicking her legs out. Sophie used her forearms to find Lavinia’s windpipe, but before she could apply any pressure Lavinia rolled the pair of them, now on her back, with Sophie on the bottom, on her own back. It was awkward, but the weight from Lavinia was a lot to bear.
Lavinia gripped Sophie’s arms, prying them away from her throat with gritted teeth. Sophie felt the fight slipping away from her, as now Lavinia threw Sophie’s hands away from their bodies, twisting in a fluid motion, and firmly straddling Sophie.
Lavinia had a bit of anger in her face as she began slapping Sophie across the face, repeatedly and unrelentingly.
Sophie yelped and screamed a little, trying her best to block the onslaught from Lavinia. 6,7,8,9 slaps got through, stinging and dazing Sophie each time. She remembered what she’d seen when watching her brothers fight. She used her forearms to block the blows, gritting her teeth, and waiting to get knocked unconscious, but it never came.
Sophie took a moment, and looked and realised all of Lavinia’s slaps were glancing off her forearms. Sophie, in the middle of a fight, while on the bottom and being smacked around by another woman, let out an amazed smile, Lavinia was tiring!
Slowly, over what felt like minutes, but must have been seconds, Lavinia slowed, the gaps between her slaps lengthened and the med student was gasping for air.
Sophie wasted no time, once again taking advantage and grabbing the younger woman’s loose hair, yanking her face first down into the mat next to her sophie’s head.
A loud thud resonated off the mat, followed by a “OOF!” And a small groan of effort as Sophie did it again, this time with more vicious intent. The thud was louder, this time followed by a “UGH!”
Lavinia’s body was rocking, she was visibly struggling to stay straddled on top of Sophie, and probably struggling to not slump over. Sophie knew it, Alan knew it, Jake knew it, Joseph, now quiet knew it, the fight was nearing it’s end.
Sophie held onto Lavinia’s hair, and slowly pulled her close on top of her, she was still fully straddled, but the momentum was with her. Sophie gripped the back of Lavinia’s head, fist closing on her hair and pulling Lavinia down, as she slowly pushed her elbow into Lavinia’s throat.
Choking sounds escaped Lavinia’s throat as the young woman struggled to breath. Sophie whispered into her ear “tap out, now!” Commanding, Sophie was feeling amazing as she relished dominating her opponent. Sophie saw Lavinia’s hand raise to her arm, and felt 3 taps on her forearm. Jake’s hands were immediately around her, and Sophie released Lavinia without hesitation. Lavinia fell to the side, coughing and gasping for air, and still visibly rocked from getting her head slammed into the mat.
Sophie barely believed it, she’d won this fight, holy shit! She’d won her first fight! She’d actually gone one on one against another woman, and won! Not just that, she’d made the other woman give up!
Sophie got to her feet and was enveloped in applause from Alan, even Joseph was clapping, although begrudging.
Jake stood, as Lavinia was still on her back, covering her eyes and breathing heavy. She was alright, clearly, but visibly frustrated at how she’d lost that fight. Jake walked up to her, and raised her arm in victory “your winner, making Lavinia tap out, Sophie!”
Jake gestured to Lavinia and Sophie gently planted a foot on her toned stomach. Sophie could feel the shame radiating off of the woman who’d just been defeated in front of her fiancé, but she couldn’t care less.
Jake then gently pulled her off and Alan hugged Sophie, whispering congratulations into her ear,
Sophie barely remembered the next few minutes. She’d had a shower, and was munching on a protein bar in the club lounge, still giddy off of her win. She saw Joseph and Lavinia walking out. Lavinia had also showered, but her eyes were red and puffy, as she hugged herself, with Joseph’s arm around her. Sophie got up but a shake of the head from Joseph told her Lavinia was in no mood for consoling.
All Sophie could think about on the ride home were the 3 taps. How it felt making another woman submit, dominating her to the point she admitted defeat. She didn’t hear a word Alan said until they were in bed.
“Alan…I loved it…it was amazing…” Sophie gripped Alan’s shoulder, and kissed him, “thank you for getting me to do it…” Sophie mumbled against his lips, “I can’t wait till next time!” She said sleepily as she drifted into sleep.
