Not in the Rules

"Not in the Rules" by Mack Reynolds is a science fiction story about a future where planets settle disputes through gladiatorial fights. When Earth's chosen gladiator vanishes, Jak Demsi, an unlikely hero, steps into the arena. He faces tough aliens in battles that decide the fate of entire worlds. Jak uses clever strategies, drawing from old Earth fighting styles, instead of just raw power. This makes him popular and controversial, and questions the whole idea of solving problems with violence and spectacle, sparking change in a bizarre system.