In the mid-90s, tournaments brought an unimaginable peculiarity by the standards of our 21st century: as long as he won, a fighter would make a total of 3 fights in the same night, with just a few minutes of separation between them. This promoted a test of physical and mental resistance that today is considered inhuman. Well, those were different times: each round lasted 10 minutes, which already denotes the level of physical preparation required. 
 
In the semi-final Renzo's opponent was Phil Benedict, a burly Californian weighing 200 pounds whose style was wrestling. 
 
(It's important to point out another difference between tournaments then and now: Before, there was no weight division, and smaller fighters often faced much larger athletes.) 
 
Benedict's physical presence was intimidating: with a bodybuilder's shape, he bore a resemblance to famous Lou Ferrigno, who starred in the CBS TV series "The Incredible Hulk" from 1978 to 1982, playing the protagonist in his monstrous form.
 
But in addition to Benedict's physical bearing, something else caught the eye in the crowded arena: Renzo had the same killer look from the first fight, a laser intensity. "Total concentration, total focus," was what the impressed commentators at the event said. 
 
When the fight started, Renzo received a strong right hook. 
 
He didn't seem to be shaken. 
 
The standing exchange continued for about 1 minute, which startled those present, who were anticipating a fight that would instantly go to the ground. 
 
Renzo even received a knee to the face after an unsuccessful attempt to knock Benedict down by grabbing his left leg.
 
Punches from both sides continued, until Renzo managed to put Benedict down. In the first moments on the ground, Benedict landed a series of blows on the left side of Renzo's head, as well as on his ribs.
 
Renzo took the punches as he sought to advance, inch by inch, toward control of a position of superiority. With less than 2 minutes of combat, Renzo got a full mount.
 
Then it was time for the ground-and-pound: with his legs stabilized around Benedict's body, preventing him from getting up, Renzo raised his torso and started to deliver a sequence of punches, left and right, from top to bottom on Benedict's face, who was struggling to protect himself. In this position, the massacre continued for about 20 seconds, until the referee stopped the fight. 
 
Benedict's face was bleeding from multiple injuries, now a red mess. As he stood up, his arms raised in celebration of the victory, Renzo had a scarlet stain painted with the opponent's blood on his chest.
 
That shocking, fast (2 minutes and 8 seconds), arid and brutal fight had finally been the bridge to the dispute that awaited Renzo a few minutes later: the notorious James Warring, a giant of 6.2 ft and 220 pounds, who had demolished his opponents towards the final, was destined to be his tormentor or his victim.
 
 (to be continued)