MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 378: Anticipation Rising



Many fans on social media sites had their eyes on Damon Cross.

They were hungry for more after seeing how well he fought recently, and now rumors were flying about who he would fight next.

The hashtags were everywhere #DamonCross, #NextFight, and #MiddleweightKing.

Conversations ranged from fan theories to detailed analyses of potential matchups.

"Who do you think is next for Damon?" one fan posted, accompanied by a clip of his stunning submission victory.

"It's gotta be Donald Whittier again. Run it back!" another wrote, though the idea was quickly shot down by others.

"Forget Whittier. Damon needs to go up against DPP. That would be fireworks!"

"But what about Ivan Novak? That guy is climbing the ranks like a monster. Cross vs. Novak would be insane."

Even prominent MMA journalists chimed in, publishing articles dissecting Damon's options.

Some focused on his growing skill set, while others speculated about how soon he might challenge for the title.
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People outside of fans and the media were also paying attention to Damon because they knew that his rise wasn't a fluke.

Each of his wins made a bigger statement than the last, and the push to fight him only grew.

Backstage at the UFA headquarters, matchmakers and executives were reportedly in heated discussions.

Damon's name was at the center of every conversation, and the stakes for his next fight were higher than ever.

Who would stand across the cage from him next?

Fans already had a lot to say about Damon Cross, but what he said at the press conference after the fight shocked everyone in the MMA world and started debates and conversations all over social media.

The middleweight division, once a predictable landscape dominated by established names, was now entering a new era, and Damon's confident statement only fueled the fire.

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[[[Video]]]

Damon sat at the long table, calm and composed as reporters fired off questions.

A reporter raised his hand, catching the moderator's attention. "I have a question for Damon Cross."

Damon nodded, leaning slightly toward the microphone. "Go ahead."

The reporter cleared his throat before asking, "Damon, since you've been signed to the UFA, you've been on a nonstop rampage, 14 fights in just two years, and now your 15th win tonight. You're undefeated, well-rounded, and yet, you haven't been given a title shot, nor have there been serious talks about one. Meanwhile, Balim Chemasov, who has been far less active, is already lined up for his shot. Do you feel overlooked?"

Damon tilted his head, appearing thoughtful for a moment.

He picked up the mic, his voice steady and firm. "Look," he began, "I don't talk much, and I don't complain. But yeah, I do feel like I deserve it. I've defeated everyone they've put in front of me."

The room went silent, reporters hanging on his every word.

"Fifteen fights in two years," Damon continued, "and I'm still undefeated. I'm not just showing up, I'm finishing fights, dominating every aspect of this game. I do feel like I've earned my shot."

Damon's eyes scanned the room, his tone shifting slightly, carrying an edge of conviction. "I'll say this, I don't see anyone giving me trouble on the ground where I'm helpless. And I don't see anyone outstriking me. I firmly believe I'm the best middleweight in the world. The best striker, the best grappler. I know it sounds arrogant, but I believe it. I know it."

The room was full of murmurs after Damon's bold speech, and fans and fighters alike quickly uploaded and broke down the video.

Some praised his confidence, while others viewed it as arrogance.

Across social media, the reactions poured in.

@Mannygo: "Damon's not wrong. Who else in the division has done what he's done in two years? #FutureChamp

@FinnLin65: "He's good, no doubt. But calling yourself the best middleweight in the world without a title? That's pushing it. Let's see him fight Chemasov first. #HumblePie"

@TheRealKing: "Balim's a beast, but Damon's streak is unmatched. I'd love to see these two go at it. #TitleFightNow"

It was split.

Many believed Damon.

They believed he truly had no competition, a sentiment that showcased just how large and loyal his fan base had grown.

The confidence he exuded resonated with countless fans, who saw him as the next big thing, unstoppable and destined for greatness.

On the other side, a vocal group couldn't ignore Balim Chemasov.

Damon's statement had sparked comparisons, especially since the reporter had drawn parallels between the two.

Chemasov's reputation as a relentless, undefeated force loomed over the division, and his fan base was quick to defend him.

"You can't call yourself the best until you've fought Chemasov," some argued online.

The debate raged on, but just as it seemed to settle into a two-sided rivalry between Damon and Chemasov supporters, another name entered the fray: Ismael Desayen.

Desayen's fan base was as fervent as it was massive, and they weren't about to let him be overlooked.

Ismael, widely considered one of the best middleweight fighters of all time, was known for his precision striking and unmatched technique.

Even those who disliked him begrudgingly admitted his greatness.

The fact that Damon had seemingly dismissed Desayen without even mentioning his name didn't sit right with his fans.

The rivalry began to take shape in real-time, with three distinct camps vying for dominance online, Team Damon, Team Chemasov, and Team Desayen.

Fans debated everything from fight records to striking statistics, each side claiming their favorite as the true king of the middleweight division.

It wasn't just the fans.

Fighters and analysts joined the conversation, adding fuel to the fire.

The division, already heating up with Damon's meteoric rise, was now ablaze with speculation and tension.

At the end of the night, the UFA show concluded with a sense of closure and lingering anticipation.

As expected, Alek Tereira had successfully defended his title, solidifying his position as one of the most dominant light heavyweight champions in recent history.

But as the post-fight interviews rolled out, speculation swirled about his future.

Many fans had anticipated a retirement announcement, given his long reign and the wear of his career.

However, Alek made it clear that he wasn't done yet.

The champion stated he still had fire left in him, but what wasn't clear was where he'd choose to channel it.

Alek Tereira now stood at a crossroads in his career.

In the light heavyweight division, he had effectively cleared out most of the competition.

The lack of immediate matchups left questions about whether he would remain at 205 pounds or venture into uncharted territory.

The possibilities were tantalizing.

Alek could move up to heavyweight, where fresh challenges awaited, testing his durability and skill against the biggest fighters in the sport.

He could stay in light heavyweight, awaiting the emergence of new contenders to reignite the division.

Or, the most talked-about possibility: Alek could cut back down to middleweight.

The middleweight division, once considered a settled landscape, was now on the verge of a historic transformation.

With the emergence of fresh talent and also existing fighters, the division was shaping up to be the most exciting weight class in the UFA, rivaling even the lightweight division's explosiveness.

Fans and analysts alike buzzed with excitement at the thought of Alek returning to middleweight, potentially facing the new breed of talent redefining the division.

If he chose to return, it could lead to dream matchups that would make waves across the MMA world.

But it still didn't leave the question, of how would he keep up, these fighters were still fresh.


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