(continued) Grappling, standup fighting and strength training have been his preparation. He spends four nights a week at the Unified Training Center in Gainesville, working to hone his skills, sharpen his reflexes and increase his knowledge of the submissions that are staples of NHB competition. Despite all of this, he still has room for self-criticism.

"I should have trained more with the cage," he says. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to use it to my advantage. My first fight was in a regular boxing ring with ropes."

Braswell won his first fight by submitting his opponent, a mixed-martial-arts competitor, with an arm lock. The victory came shortly after the first minute of the second round. He expects this match to go just as smoothly.

"I've heard that my opponent is a good standup fighter. Hopefully I'll win," he says. "I'm sure some of my students who don't like me hope I get knocked out."

As part of Braswell's math program, he works as a teaching assistant. His pre-calculus students often inquire about the bruises he gets from his weeknights of NHB training.

"I train almost every night, so occasionally I come into class with a mark or two. A lot of the students ask why I do it. I guess there are a couple of reasons why. The primal desire to fight and be the meanest guy in the jungle is one. The other is the mental challenge. As scared as I am before a fight, when it's over, I'm happy I was able to push myself to do it."

As Braswell takes a last look at the cage, he hopes that the bruises and strict training regiment have prepared him. It's time to get ready. He follows Lee and several other members of the F2 Arena team, two of whom will also fight tonight, up a flight of stairs to their ready room.

Trash litters the rough wooden floor, and more than one person complains about not having a mat on which to warm up. Predictions and jokes fill the tense air of the room.

"Did you see the fat bastard I'm fighting," one fighter says. "I'll be surprised if he lasts through the first round."

Hands and wrists are taped, gloves are examined, paperwork is filled out… All of the pre-fight details are worked through. The fight officials decide to use F2 Arena's ready room to go over the rules. All of the fighters, their coaches, three referees and the fight promoter cram into the space. Tom Sauer, a referee and international NHB competitor, gives a quick lecture.

No groin shots.
No head butts.
No strikes to the knees.
No biting.
No fishhooks.
No strikes to the throat.
No strikes to the spine.

The list is extensive but is meant to make this sport, which already has a bad reputation, as safe as possible. As it stands, cuts, bruises, and dislocated and broken bones are all fairly common at these events.

After the rules are explained, Sauer goes through the fight card. Thirteen fights are scheduled for the Dixie Rumble. Braswell's name isn't listed; his opponent hasn't arrived. Everyone expects that he'll show, but the uncertainty is an unwelcome distraction.

The meeting breaks up and everyone moves downstairs where a crowd of more than 500 has gathered to watch the action. Limp Bizkit's "Rollin'" pours from the loudspeakers adding a feel of urgency to an already anxious group of fighters and spectators.

Fifteen minutes pass before the officials are ready to start. Fight promoter Chris Cordeiro enters the ring with a microphone.