MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Victor went into the cage with the rest of the team and nodded as he walked up to Damon. "Great win, beautiful choke," he said simply.

Damon smiled. "Thanks, coach."

The team celebrated briefly, offering their congratulations before Victor stepped closer. "Alright," he began.

"This interview is big. Call out one of the top three, but not Brickland or Chemasov, they're locked in. Make it smart, make it count."

Damon nodded, already considering his options. Find more chapters on empire

Victor gave him a quick pat on the shoulder. "You've got this. You've proven yourself over and over."

Damon already knew how far he had come, but the act still meant a lot.

Victor could see that Damon didn't need regular help anymore; his skills were good enough on their own.

Victor didn't want to miss the chance to be there and see how far Damon will go.

Every Decision Matters

Every decision Damon made in this moment would ripple through the division, shaping his path and his standing in the eyes of the fans.

The options were clear: Ismael Desayen, Donald Whittier, or the former champion, DPP.

Each represented a unique challenge and carried its own implications.

But one name loomed above them all: Balim Chemasov.

Calling out Chemasov or even Shawn Brickland, the reigning champion, would have been bold.

Too bold, perhaps.

While Damon was undeniably a rising star and had reached Chemasov's record of 14-0 in just two years, a feat that had taken Chemasov more than years, this wasn't just about numbers.

Fans adored Damon, respected his meteoric rise, and were eager to see him crowned champion.

But in their eyes, there was already an inevitable king waiting to claim the throne, Balim Chemasov.

Chemasov wasn't just undefeated; he was a force of nature, an unstoppable machine of aggression and dominance.

His fights weren't just victories; they were statements.

And the fans, for all their love of Damon, were firmly behind Chemasov when it came to the championship picture.

The matchup between Brickland and Chemasov wasn't just a title fight, it was a foregone conclusion in the minds of many.

Fans analyzed styles, and it wasn't hard to see why.

Chemasov's relentless pressure and superior wrestling were tailor-made to overwhelm a striker like Brickland.

The idea of Damon leaping ahead, bypassing Chemasov or Brickland, would have drawn the ire of fans.

Not because they doubted Damon's potential, but because they saw the Chemasov era as inevitable.

In this moment, Damon's choice had to be calculated.

He had to position himself as a legitimate contender, not just for the belt, but as the fighter who could step up when the inevitable clash between Chemasov and Brickland resolved itself.

For now, Damon's name would have to be linked to someone else in the top echelon, someone who could solidify his claim without alienating the fans.

Every word he spoke would carry weight. Every move he made now would define his future.

The crowd went silent as Deuce Baffer walked into the middle of the cage with a microphone in his hand.

His words carried the weight of the moment.

As the crowd leaned forward to watch, the referee stood between Damon Cross and Ciao Doralhi and held their wrists.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Deuce began, his voice booming through the speakers, "referee Hank Binn has called a stop to this contest at 4 minutes, 21 seconds of the very first round, declaring the winner by technical submission due to a standing guillotine choke…"

He paused, letting the tension build, before delivering the name the crowd was waiting for.

"…and STILL UNDEFEATED… DAAAMOOON CROSS!"

There was a loud wave of applause and excitement from the crowd that shook the building.

And as the referee raised his hand to signal win.

The crowd's chants of his name filled the arena, a reminder of the rising force he had become in the sport.

Damon approached Ciao Doralhi, extending his hand with a genuine nod of respect. "Great match," he said, his voice steady but sincere.

Ciao, still slightly dazed from the choke, smiled weakly and began speaking in rapid Portuguese.

Damon didn't catch a single word but maintained a polite demeanor, nodding and smiling as if he understood.

After a few seconds, he gave Ciao's shoulder a pat and stepped back.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Turning away, Damon noticed Jim Logan stepping into the cage with a microphone in hand.

The commentator made his way toward Damon, his expression a mix of excitement and curiosity.

People in the crowd were excited because they knew this was the moment they'd been waiting for, Damon's chance to talk after his big win.

Jim Logan approached Damon, microphone in hand, his excitement palpable.

"Damon, what an incredible finish! A standing choke against a dangerous opponent like Ciao Doralhi, it's not something we see every day. How are you feeling right now?"

Damon gave a small smile, catching his breath as he spoke. "I feel good, man. You know, every fight's different, and this one was about testing myself. I saw the opportunity, and I just took it."

Jim nodded, clearly impressed. "You've shown incredible versatility in your fights. We've seen knockouts, submissions, and tonight was no different. Was that standing choke something you had planned, or did it just come to you in the moment?"

Damon shrugged, his tone casual but thoughtful. "Honestly, it's not something I drilled specifically for this fight. But we train for every situation, right? I felt him leaning into the clinch, and I knew if I got the right position, I could end it right there. The cage just helped seal the deal."

Jim grinned. "Well, it was a thing of beauty. You're now 14-0, tying the record for most wins without a loss in this division. Fans are already talking about who's next for you. What's your take? Do you want someone in the top 5, or is there a specific name on your mind?"

Damon glanced at the crowd for a moment before looking back at Jim.

"You know, I've got a target in sight," Damon began, his voice steady but filled with intent. "Some of you might say part of me being here is because of him. I trained with him, he gave me advice, and together, we won The Supreme Fighter. The man was my coach, and I've got nothing but respect for him."

Jim nodded, the crowd cheering loudly at Damon's words. "One last question before I let you go. Seven fights this year, and you're still fighting like you've got unlimited gas in the tank. How do you keep this pace up?"

Damon chuckled lightly. "I just love what I do, Jim. Fighting keeps me sharp, keeps me focused. As long as I feel good, I'll keep stepping into this cage. I've got a great team behind me, and that makes all the difference."

Jim smiled, clearly impressed. "Well, Damon, congratulations again on an incredible performance. We can't wait to see what's next for you."

Damon gave a small nod, raising a hand toward the crowd as they erupted in cheers.

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