Being mid spin doesn't really steady your footing, nor does being caught unaware by a snuck in punch to the gut. Brighton couldn't do anything about the punch he was about to take, because he had no idea it was coming. He actually thought it impossible for Tanzo to react in such an inconceivably short window of time, but the kitsune had proven crafty before. Unfortunately for the kitsune, the human body is far more resilient than its weak appearance belies, and being loose while being struck with tremendous force is actually a blessing. With only one foot on the ground, and his body in a rather loose state to facilitate the whipping motion of his spin, he was struck directly in the gut by Ryozan's boulder breaking punch. 

If his footing had've been sturdy, and his body squared away, this would have been a killing punch. His organs would have ruptured, bones broken, and he would have crumpled before Tanzo's blow. However, none of this was the case. Instead, the punch slammed into his midriff and unsettled his already weak footing. Its weight carried him backwards and launched him several feet away, dust was kicked from the ground as he struck the old arena's floor. Brighton sprawled his weight across the ground, the breath knocked entirely from his lungs. His chest heaved with the effort of filling itself with air once more.

Tanzo, so far, had outstripped him in strength. Cunning, maybe not, they seemed to be on even footing in that regard. Brighton had never fought someone so superhuman in ability. Even the strongest men weren't comparable to Tanzo in his ability, and that was exciting. Truly this was his greatest challenge, as every foe he had fought to this point had been human. No matter how strong they were, no matter how great, no matter how swift. They were still human.

Ryozan Tanzo, however, was more than that. And it was very self-evident. 

As he milled these thoughts, he pushed himself up into a seated position. Heaving still with the effort of breathing. His body was still moving, he refused to let himself be stopped. A great bruise was already forming on his torso, and the wound that was cut earlier was still bleeding slowly. The cold was keeping him from bleeding out, a fortunate happenstance. 

His right hand was moving again, but he didn't want to let Tanzo notice yet. 

Whether Tanzo would take advantage of his vulnerable state was to be determined, but as it stood, Brighton slowly inhaled and attempted to push himself to his feet. If Tanzo would attack him now, there wouldn't be much he could do to stop him, but Brighton didn't peg him for the sort to kick a man while he's down.

Though he still doesn't know that much about the kitsune, does he?