Fisticuffs!

Just read through the rules and some of the cards for a better understanding. It sounds fun. I like the 'pool' a lot. It reminds me of Seasons in a way, so I'd suggest making them as chunky as possible.

Truthfully, as I read it, it sounds more like a resource management game than a game about fighting, which is fine because I think it's better to craft strong mechanics then apply theme than the other way around. I just want to let you know, at least from reading through, that very little feels like a fighting match. I think that might also stem from some of the defensive options, which seem static and obvious. Aside from the Dirty Trick cards in players' hands, you know what the opponent can do offensively and defensively. Is the pool there to limit these actions? You want to avoid gameplay that can lead to things like: "I shouldn't do X because my opponent will 100% of the time respond with Y."

It's very well that I don't fully understand everything here, but those were the areas I found of worry.

Yes, it does. And skimming your cards again, defensive options really are quite slim.

I also wouldn't worry about theme. Hell, look at Seasons. I mean, what is that game about other than weird art and a clock-like meter? It doesn't prevent the game from being fun.

Have you thought about adding in some negative feedback loops that prevent the fighters from being mis-balanced?

Understanding feedback loops is really important for game design.

Monopoly has a brutal POSITIVE feedback loop: the more money you have, the more things you can build/buy, which in turn gets you more money. More money = even more money. That's why an early lead is so good.

Mario Kart has a very obvious NEGATIVE feedback loop: the further ahead you are, you receive worse power-ups AND you move slower relative to your opponents. The further behind you are, you receive better power-ups AND you move faster relative to your opponents. This helps keep the action more centralized, allowing for chances to upset winner.

Both of these cases are EXTREME examples of feedback loops and how they affect games. When they are this extreme, it creates for frustrating experiences where either victory is hopeless or victory is more random.

Your game has a negative feedback loop where the winner of the previous fight goes second, allowing the other player a slight advantage. All I'm saying is that maybe you could incorporate something so that the two players aren't too disparate in strength.