MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Damon sat down on the bench after his final warm-up, his breathing steady as he focused his thoughts.

The show had been running for a few hours now, fight after fight delivering on the hype.

He was dressed in his fighting gear, a plain shirt thrown over it to keep warm while he waited for his turn.

"Man, UFA cooked with these fights," Ty said, his eyes glued to the screen as another match came to a dramatic end.

Damon glanced at the screen, watching the victorious fighter raise their arms in celebration.

Ash leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "Yep, Uncle Ronan had to go all out on this one. For that mula."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He smirked, referring to the UFA president's penchant for stacking cards when it meant bringing in big pay-per-view numbers.

Ty chuckled. "Can't blame him. This card's been fire so far."

Damon didn't say much.

The next match was his. The crowd's energy was building, and he could feel it even from the backstage area.

Ash looked over at Damon. "You ready?"

Damon nodded, his expression calm but determined. "Always."

The room went quiet as they waited for the signal. It was almost time.

The door opened, and Svetlana stepped in.

She'd been out looking for Victor and finally returned, her presence immediately softening the atmosphere in the room.

Damon glanced at her and smiled, though his mind was still laser-focused on the fight ahead.

Even as he looked at Svetlana, the strategies, techniques, and moments of training he'd drilled over and over played in his head like a loop.

He leaned back slightly, his hands resting on his knees, letting his thoughts simmer.

Honestly, he had trained relentlessly, not specifically for this fight, but to broaden his skills overall. Yet, he knew he was ready.

He could feel it in his bones. He was prepared to deliver, especially with thousands of eyes on him in the arena and millions more watching from around the world.

They weren't in the U.S. this time.

The fight was happening in Abu Dhabi, at the Etihad Arena.

Damon hadn't had a chance to really see the city or the venue itself.

He'd been too busy training and keeping himself sharp.

Truth be told, he didn't care much about sightseeing right now.

Maybe after the fight, he'd take the time to explore. For now, his world was the cage and everything inside it.

Svetlana walked over, giving him a reassuring look as she sat down nearby.

Damon didn't say anything, but her presence alone was enough to ground him.

There was a lot of energy in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, which was completely full.

The crowd was so excited that their roaring voices could be heard through the walls.

Among the thousands in attendance were well-known personalities, celebrities, athletes, and influential figures, all gathered to witness the night's spectacle.

The UFA had truly outdone themselves with this card.

The commentators were wrapping up their analysis of the previous match.

They broke down the techniques, moments, and decisions that led to the fight's conclusion, hyping the performances while seamlessly building anticipation for what was next.

As the highlights played on the massive screens above the octagon, the arena seemed to grow even louder.

The fans knew what was coming next, Damon Cross versus Calvin Oland. A fight that had been building for weeks, now just minutes away.

As they talked about the next fight, James Nix and Damien Korvier sat at the commentary table, their sounds cutting through the loud crowd.

Calvin Oland vs. Damon Cross

"This is a fascinating matchup," Nix started, his tone intrigued. "Calvin Oland is Incredible, to say the least. He's got that creative striking we've come to expect, but what people forget is his ability to work off his back. Don't let his trash talk fool you, this guy has legitimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. If the fight goes to the ground, it could be lights out for Damon."

Korvier nodded thoughtfully but then raised a hand to interject. "You're absolutely right about Calvin's ground game, but don't sleep on Damon Cross. Back in The Supreme Fighter, he showed he's not just dangerous standing, he can end fights on the ground too. I'll admit we don't know his exact level right now, but that's what makes him a bigger threat."

"True," Nix agreed, leaning back. "But Calvin has faced some of the best in the game. He's tested, durable, and he's always dangerous with those wild exchanges. Damon's untested at this level."

Korvier smirked, crossing his arms. "That's exactly what makes these fights exciting. When you fight a new guy like Damon, you're walking into the unknown. You've got to prepare for what you've seen, but that's never the full story."

The two commentators continued.

And the commentators were absolutely right, new fighters like Damon Cross were always a mystery.

Damon had fought seven professional bouts, winning all by KO or TKO, an insane record for someone so early in their career.

What made him even more dangerous was the arsenal he had yet to reveal.

Damon was proficient in BJJ, a skill he'd sharpened over time, and though wrestling was a more recent addition to his training, he was blazing through it.

For anyone stepping into the cage with him, unaware of his hidden cards, it was like walking into a storm blindfolded.

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Back in Damon's room, his team was getting together. The mood was tense but focused.

Damon stood in his corner and shadowboxed in silence.

His mind was already in the cage.

Victor entered, he scanned the room, nodding at everyone before locking eyes with Damon. "You're ready. Good. Come on, let's go!"

Damon straightened up, rolling his shoulders and giving Svetlana a quick glance.

She was coming with the team, wearing their unofficial uniform, plain black clothes.

After all, who was going to argue that she wasn't part of the team?

With everyone ready, they began filing out of the room.