MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

The rest of the night went smoothly, and there was a happy vibe in the backroom area.

When Damon got back to his team, everyone cheered and slapped him on the back.

Even though the mood was happy and light, there was an unsaid recognition of how hard they had worked to get here.

Damon went to the changing room after taking a moment to catch his breath and enjoy the moment.

He took a shower to get rid of the fight's sweat and energy, and then he put on some clean clothes.

He could think about the fight, his growth, and how he had put an end to any questions that were still there while the cool water felt against his skin.

The next event was the conference after the fight, which felt different this time. Because Damon had been here before, he knew how to sit at the table and answer questions.

But tonight was different. It was clear that the press knew it was his night because he had main evented tonight's show.

As the conference started, the room was full of life. Reporters asked a lot of questions of Damon, which was very different from the times he had been an aside.

"What did you think of your performance tonight?"

"How did you prepare for someone as skilled as Emarn Petrosin on just four weeks?"

"Do you feel this fight positions you as a serious contender in your division?"

When Damon answered each question, he did so with an equal degree of modesty and confidence.

He used measured but honest words.

He appreciated the attention, not for the sake of his ego, but because it showed that his hard work was paying off.

He was being recognized not just as a fighter but as someone who could headline events.

As the night went on, Damon sat back in his chair and let out a happy sigh. The journey wasn't over; there were still bigger goals to reach.

But for tonight, he let himself enjoy the moment and be proud of what he had done.

After some time, the reporters spread out, and Damon left the conference room.

So far, the night had been perfect, and Damon couldn't ask for more.

Just as Damon was about to leave the conference room, he heard a familiar voice calling his name.

Turning around, he saw none other than Ronan Black approaching him. Damon's heart skipped a beat, this had to be good news.

He straightened up and walked toward Ronan, his expression composed but his excitement bubbling beneath the surface. Ronan greeted him with a wide grin and a firm handshake.

"Nice match, kid. That was amazing," Ronan said, his tone carrying the weight of genuine praise.

Damon smiled, nodding humbly. "Thanks, Ronan. I appreciate that."

Ronan's smile lingered, but his tone turned more businesslike. "Alright, let's get down to it. With everything you've been doing, taking tough fights on short notice, building momentum with dominant wins, I think it's time we move you up."

Damon tilted his head slightly, curious about what that meant. Ronan continued, "Unfortunately, we couldn't move you up the rankings after beating Cellan.

He was overweight, and there was too much noise around that fight. And Emarn, well, he's not ranked either. But here's the thing, you've got a lot of hype right now. People are noticing. And I've been talking with the team."

Ronan leaned in slightly, his voice steady but filled with excitement. "We're thinking about putting you on the next big pay-per-view. You'll open the main card. Big stage, big audience, and" he paused for effect, "a ranked opponent."

Damon's eyes widened slightly, but he kept his composure, nodding as he absorbed the news. "That sounds amazing," he said, his voice calm but laced with excitement. "I appreciate the opportunity."

Ronan smirked. "You've earned it. Look, if you want to take a fight before then, we can figure it out. But just know, on that pay-per-view card, you're going to be facing a ranked guy. No more easy fights."

Damon chuckled, shaking his head. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Ronan slapped him on the shoulder, his grin returning. "Good. You keep putting on performances like tonight, and the sky's the limit, kid."

"Thanks, Ronan," Damon said, his gratitude genuine. "I won't let you down."

"You do the fighting, Damon. I'll take care of the rest," Ronan replied before walking off, leaving Damon standing there, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

Damon watched Ronan walk away, his imposing figure blending into the bustling backstage chaos. A sly grin tugged at Damon's lips as he cocked his head slightly, speaking just loud enough for his team nearby to hear.

"Did I just get Ronan Black privileges?" he quipped, the humor evident in his tone.

His coaches, still riding the high of the night's success, chuckled. Victor shook his head, crossing his arms. "Careful, kid. Next thing you know, you'll be asking for a private jet."

Damon laughed, shrugging playfully. "Hey, can't hurt to ask, right?"

Privileges or not, he knew he'd earned every bit of it.

With that, Damon's media obligations were finally wrapped up.

While his body ached from being tired, he felt calm pleasure in knowing that he had handled everything professionally.

He had an early flight the next morning, leaving little time to rest, and unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to see his friends or family before heading out again.

It was a sacrifice, but one he was willing to make.

His focus was razor-sharp, finish his training, improve, and then return stronger.

There would be time for personal moments later; for now, the grind continued.

While Damon's night was winding down, the media frenzy was just heating up.

The sports world never slept, and Chirper, a battleground of opinions and hot takes, was ablaze with reactions to his performance.

Posts flooded in, ranging from professional analysts to casual fans, all dissecting Damon's emphatic victory.

@Cultmaster: "Damon Cross just put Emarn Petrosin through the meat grinder. Those knees, man… brutal.

@YourDad: "3 fights in, Damon Cross is already looking like a contender. Who's next for this guy? 👀

@Miyamotomiyoki: "Emarn's kicks are dangerous, but Damon made him look average. That cage pressure was a masterclass.

@Goodboy: "TKO/KO master"

@spencergondales: "Fight IQ of a veteran, power of a lion. Damon Cross is the real deal. Calling it now: future champ. 🏆

Damon was already lost in lala land, but when he would fight again, the pressure would be very high with all the expectations.