NOVEL WEB Chapter 681: Champion Vs. Champion I
It didn't take long for Alex Tereira to make his way to the cage.
The moment his walkout ended and he stepped through the gate, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd noise faded under the weight of anticipation.
Now both men stood inside the octagon, facing each other across the center.
Alex didn't blink. He didn't fidget or shift his weight. He looked like a carved statue, still and silent.
His eyes stayed fixed on Damon with a stare that carried the weight of something personal. Like Damon had taken something from him. Like this wasn't just a fight, it was a reckoning.
Damon crouched slightly, hands loose near his knees, eyes steady. He returned the stare but without the same hostility. His expression was calm, almost curious.
He activated his ability. It wasn't just about power or control, it was about pressure, projection. One that cracked lesser men before a punch was even thrown.
But Alex didn't flinch.
There was no change in his posture, no flicker in his eyes. Damon couldn't feel a crack, not even a tremor.
And that didn't surprise him.
Tereira had a reputation for being unbreakable. Not just as a striker, but as a man. No trash talk ever got to him. No staredown had ever shifted his focus. He lived in his own storm, and no one else could reach him.
Still, Damon didn't look away. If Alex was a mountain, he'd meet it head-on.
The cage was quiet now, almost reverent, as both fighters waited for the final voice to enter.
Deuce Baffer walked in with the mic in hand, dressed sharp and serious. The crowd stirred again, and the moment built toward something bigger than just a title bout.
It was time.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING!"
The Crowd Erupted, their cheers echoing through the arena.
"SANCTIONED BY THE NEVADA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION. OUR THREE JUDGES SCORING THIS CONTEST AT OCTAGON SIDE ARE SIKE HELL, JERK EARY, AND DEM B'EMETO. AND WHEN THE ACTION BEGINS, OUR REFEREE IN CHARGE OF THE OCTAGON, MAXWELL COLE
"THIS CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CRIME HYDRATION, TORSOPROTECTION SPORTS DRINK, AND BEASTIAL ENERGY."
"AND NOW, FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AND UFC FANS WATCHING AROUND THE WORLD,
THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
LIVE FROM THE SOLD‑OUT STOCKTON ARENA IN STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA…"
He paused, letting the anticipation build.
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT'S
TIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!"
"FIVE ROUNDS FOR THE UNDISPUTED UFA LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD!"
"INTRODUCING CHALLENGER, FIGHTING OUT OF THE BLUE CORNER.
THIS MAN IS A MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST HOLDING AN PERFECT UNDEFEATED PROFESSIONAL RECORD, 29 WINS, NO LOSSES
HE STANDS SIX FEET TWO INCHES TALL, WEIGHING IN AT 205 POUNDS EVEN.
FIGHTING OUT OF LIMERICK, IRELAND, PRESENTING, THE 202* and 202* WORLD MMA TOURNAMENT CHAMPION.
HE IS THE REIGNING UNDEFEATED UFA MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION OF WOOORLD!!!!!!
DAMON!!!
'THE RONIN!!!'
CROSS!"
.
.
.
"Now INTRODUCING THE champion! FIGHTING OUT OF THE RED CORNER.
A MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST HOLDING A PROFESSIONAL RECORD OF 14 WINS AND 2 LOSSES,
HE STANDS SIX FEET FOUR INCHES TALL, WEIGHING IN AT 205 POUNDS EVEN.
FIGHTING OUT OF SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL …
HE IS THE REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OFFFFF THE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRLLLLLLD!!!
ALEEEEEXX
'POOOATAAN'
TEREEEEIRA!!!"
"CHAMA!!!! CHAMA!!! CHAMA!!!! CHAMA!!!! CHAMA!! CHAMA!!!!!
The commentary team was locked in, voices steady but alive with energy as the camera circled the cage.
Jon Goodman spoke first, his tone clear. "Two champions stand in front of each other tonight. Both at the top of their divisions. Both with something to prove. This is one of the biggest moments in UFA history."
Rich Alvarez leaned forward slightly, watching the fighters closely. "It's rare to get this. Two active champions, both with highlight-reel wins, both undefeated in their current divisions, standing across from each other with nothing held back. Damon Cross, 29 and 0. A world tournament winner, a dominant middleweight king. And now? Looking to carve his name into the light heavyweight throne."
Marvin Duke added, "And across from him, a monster. Alex Tereira. People forget how fast he rose to the top. Former kickboxing world champion, now defending the UFA light heavyweight belt like a man possessed. He doesn't smile. He doesn't talk. He just knocks people out."
Rich glanced toward the screen again. "And you have to think about what this means. If Damon wins, he becomes a two-division world champion. Not many have done that. If he loses, it's his first defeat, and it comes in a weight class above."
Marvin leaned back slightly, letting the moment breathe. "Poatan's got that terrifying knockout ability, that left hook from hell. But Damon's one of the smartest fighters alive. He knows how to adjust mid-fight. He knows how to adapt."
The commentary went quiet for a second as the cage locked behind them. The arena settled, holding its breath for what was about to come. Two champions. One cage. And no room for mistakes.
In the center of the cage, referee Maxwell Cole called both fighters forward with a sharp gesture.
Damon stepped out of his corner without breaking eye contact.
Alex moved with the same calm stillness he'd shown all night.
Deuce Baffer tucked the mic under his arm and stepped out of the way.
Maxwell looked between them, his voice firm and even. "Alright, gentlemen. You've both been over the rules. I expect a clean fight. Obey my commands at all times. Protect yourselves at all times. If I tell you to stop, you stop. If you want to touch gloves, do it now."
Damon didn't hesitate. He raised his right hand halfway. Alex responded with a slow nod and met the gesture.
Then they turned and stepped back to their corners.
Maxwell glanced at both corners, then raised his hand.
"Ready?"
He looked at Damon. Damon gave a short nod, eyes locked forward.
"Ready?"
He turned to Alex. Alex didn't move, but his eyes never left Damon. His chin dipped once.
"Fight!"
The horn sounded. The cage exploded with noise. And the war began.