MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Monday - 13th February 2027(a year later)

In the gym, the trainees were not training. Instead, half of the place was gathered around an octagon cage, looking with excitement.

Some people were saying, "You think he can defeat him now?" Others were nodding in agreement, while a few were shaking their heads in doubt.

One person said, "I mean, it's a no-brainer. Look at the size of him." They gestured towards the figure standing confidently outside the cage, his muscles rippling beneath his skin.

Despite the impressive physique, someone else chimed in, "I heard he's been so close to defeating his Muay Thai coach." This sparked a flurry of interested glances and whispered comments.

The gym's usual sounds of grunting, punching, and kicking were replaced by the sound of eager chatter and speculation.

Inside the cage, Damon stood tall, his messy hair almost covering his face.

If someone had placed a picture of him from two years ago beside him now, they would be astonished at the transformation.

Gone were the days of his skeletal frame; his body had filled out, and muscles were now visible beneath his skin.

Damon's weight had increased to 180 pounds, but he didn't appear buff or bulky. Instead, he looked athletic, with a lean and toned physique that spoke to his dedication to training.

More importantly, he looked healthy, with a radiant glow that came from within.

A confident smile played on his face as he gazed at Ash, his eyes shining with a sense of self-assurance.

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Damon was convinced he could win in combat, and it was clear to everyone present.

However, that wasn't the reason people had gathered to watch.

The crowd had come to witness a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match, a test of skill, strategy, and endurance.

After all, if this was a combat fight, Damon had already won.

His size alone would prove advantageous, and most importantly, his mastery of Muay Thai.

Damon's main martial art was based on striking(Muay Thai), and Ash had been defeating him using striking.

However, Damon's skills had improved significantly since then.

The only reason Ash had been able to defeat Damon in the past was because of Damon's meager skills at the time.

But now, Damon was a force to be reckoned with. He could beat Ash in a combat fight, but he didn't want it to be that way.

Ash had beaten him in his own environment where he thought he excelled, striking, so Damon wished to beat him in his own environment, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, specifically on the ground.

Damon wanted to prove that he was not only skilled in Muay Thai but also in Ash's own specialty.

He wanted to show that he could adapt and overcome, even in unfamiliar territory.

I mean, it wasn't exactly an unfamiliar territory since he trained in it, with Coach José'.

Svetlana and Ty were standing among the crowd, their eyes glued on the cage.

Ashley was noticeably absent, having left for another city where she had a match scheduled.

She had been in training camp for months, preparing for a UFA match, so she couldn't be here to watch these to finally squash their rivalry.

While Ash would go and support his sister when it was time, Damon wouldn't be able to go.

He had his own match, and he had to fight someone so that he can get the spot on the show.

As the crowd quieted down, Ash stepped forward, his voice ringing out clearly. "Are you ready, DC?" he asked, his eyes locked on Damon.

Damon nodded, his expression confident. "As long as you are," he replied.

Damon and Ash circled each other, eyes locked, each step careful. Their feet lightly bounced, shifting weight, testing distance. Neither wanted to make the first move, waiting for the right moment.

Ash darted in first, grabbing at Damon's collar to set up a takedown.

Damon lowered his stance, gripping Ash's wrist and breaking the grip, shoving him away.

Ash came in again, quicker this time. He shot for a single leg, trying to drive through Damon's hips.

Damon sprawled, his legs shooting back, pressing his chest onto Ash's shoulders to block the takedown.

Ash didn't give up. He adjusted, wrapping his arms tighter around Damon's leg, trying to pull it in. Damon shifted his weight, pushing Ash's head down while working his leg free.

"Not this time," Damon said, his voice low.

Ash grunted, frustrated, but stayed persistent. He switched to a low ankle pick, grabbing Damon's ankle and yanking hard.

Damon lost his balance for a moment but quickly regained it, hopping back, trying to stay upright.

Ash moved faster now, transitioning to a double leg. His shoulder hit Damon's midsection.

Damon's back hit the cage, and Ash drove his weight forward, trying to bring him down.

Damon widened his stance, using the cage to brace himself. His hands pushed on Ash's head and shoulders, stopping him from getting deeper.

"Come on, Ash. You can do better," Damon taunted, smirking.

Ash gritted his teeth and changed tactics. He dropped to his knees, going for a deep single-leg again.

Damon saw it coming and pivoted, circling off the cage and spinning away. Ash scrambled back to his feet, resetting his stance.

They circled again, each taking a few breaths.

Ash moved in once more, and this time Damon let him come closer.

Ash grabbed for his collar again, looking for a grip to control him, but Damon snapped his arms up and over, breaking the hold.

Damon went for a collar tie of his own, pulling Ash's head down while stepping forward, trying to snap him down.

Ash resisted, bending at the waist to stay upright. Damon kept the pressure, then released, pushing Ash back.

Ash stumbled slightly but quickly recovered, staying light on his feet.

"Almost had you there," Damon said, eyes sharp.

Ash didn't respond, focused on his next move. He faked a low takedown, then popped up quickly, grabbing Damon's arm and spinning into an arm drag.

This was the first time Ash had not spoken. Any trash talking in a fight.