MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat - Chapter 803

Chapter 803: Chapter 803: The Empty House

Morning came quietly, the sun spilling across the curtains of a house that had been alive with noise just the night before.

The fighters were slow to rise, their bodies heavy from both the party and the weeks of war inside the cage.

Bags were already packed, lined neatly by the door. Gloves, wraps, and a few leftover clothes were stuffed into duffels, ready for the trip home.

The night before had been a send-off. Music, laughter, a few drinks passed around.

Now, that energy was gone. The house was filled with silence, only the occasional sound of zippers closing and shoes sliding onto the floor.

One by one, the fighters made their way out, hugging each other, promising to stay in touch. There was no bravado left, no fire, just tired smiles and mutual respect.

Back at the UFA office, Damon sat on the edge of the long table with Ronan, the UFA president, seated nearby.

The room carried a professional calm, at least until Ivan walked in. The air shifted almost immediately.

Before now, both men had been occupied with coaching their fighters, their rivalry simmering quietly in the background.

They had exchanged competitive jabs but never let it spill over into open hostility.

Now, with the tournament settled and their duties as coaches complete, there was nothing left to distract them from one another.

Ronan noticed it right away. He leaned back in his chair, smiling to himself.

This was the rivalry he wanted, two men locked in focus on each other.

The tension between Damon and Ivan didn’t need much pushing, it was already strong enough to carry the weight of a future main event.

Still, the promoter in him wished for a little more. Some sparks. A reason for headlines.

He told himself he would pray on it before bed and again in the morning, hoping the universe would deliver the drama he could sell.

Damon stepped out of the gym, sweat still drying on his shirt. At the same moment, Ivan emerged from the opposite hall, both men catching sight of each other near the exit.

For a second, neither spoke. Then Ivan smirked faintly. “Good work tonight. Your boys showed up.”

Damon gave him the same half-smile back, but his eyes stayed sharp. “Yeah, well, that’s what happens when fighters are trained right.”

Ivan’s smirk twitched, almost disappearing. “We’ll see how long that lasts. Talent doesn’t mean much if they crumble under the lights. Finals are a different world.”

Damon tilted his head, arms folding. “Trust me, they’ll be ready. I don’t let my fighters choke when it counts.” He paused, just long enough to let the next part sting. “That’s probably the difference between us.”

Ivan chuckled, low and cold, stepping closer. “Difference? Damon, I’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been headlining. You’ve got your run, your spotlight, but it doesn’t last forever. Everyone wants what you have, and sooner or later, someone takes it. Belts, fame, money, it all slips.”

Damon’s smirk widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Then come take it. Problem is, I don’t lose. Not to my fighters, not to yours, and sure as hell not to you.”

The air tightened, silence stretching for a moment as the façade cracked. Ivan’s jaw flexed, his eyes narrowing, but he finally stepped back and shrugged.

“Well… guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Yeah,” Damon said, voice flat. “We will.”

They walked off in opposite directions, the thin thread of civility barely holding.

Beneath it, both knew this wasn’t just business anymore. For Damon, it was about breaking Ivan completely.

For Ivan, it was about ripping everything Damon had built out from under him.

And soon, only the cage would decide.

Damon left the building and made his way toward the lot, his steps steady as he headed for the drive back to Santa Monica. The day felt long already, but he didn’t let it slow him down.

At the hotel, he moved quickly. Clothes were folded into his bag, gear stuffed into its place.

Within minutes everything was packed and loaded into the trunk of his car. He checked the room one last time, then shut the door behind him.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, he started the engine.

The familiar hum filled the quiet. He connected his phone to the car’s system and scrolled through his contacts.

A moment later, he pressed Svetlana’s name and lifted his hand to the wheel as the call began to ring.

The line clicked, but instead of Svetlana’s voice, a small, high-pitched one filled the car.

“Hey, baby,” Eva said, her words stretched out in the way only a two-year-old could manage.

Damon blinked, a smile tugging at his face as he adjusted his grip on the wheel. “Hey, princess. You answered the phone, huh?”

“Yes,” Eva replied proudly, her tone carrying that unshakable confidence only a child could have.

“That’s good. Daddy’s coming home,” Damon said, keeping his voice calm and gentle. “Can you tell me where Mama is?”

There was a pause, followed by the sound of shuffling. “Mama… um…” Eva’s words trailed off as she searched for an answer. “Mama in… kitchen. With food.”

Damon chuckled under his breath. “Kitchen with food, huh? That sounds right.” He leaned back against the seat as traffic opened in front of him. “Can you tell Mama that Daddy’s driving home?”

Eva giggled, the sound loud against the speaker. “Okay. I tell Mama. Daddy come home.”

“That’s my girl,” Damon said warmly. “I’ll see you soon, baby.”

Eva gave another drawn-out “Okay,” before the background noise shifted, faint footsteps echoing as she ran off to find her mother.

Eva burst into the kitchen, her little feet slapping against the floor as she carried the phone in both hands. “Mamaaa!” she shouted, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Svetlana turned from the counter, a spoon still in her hand. “What is it, my love?” she asked, crouching down to meet her daughter’s height.

“Daddy come home!” Eva announced proudly, the words tumbling out with a giggle. She shoved the phone forward as if the proof was there in her small hands.

Svetlana’s eyes lit up, and she laughed, pulling Eva into a quick hug. “Daddy’s coming home?” she repeated, her voice rising with the same excitement.

“Yes! Daddy come home!” Eva said again, breaking into another round of giggles. Her face was all smiles, her little arms wrapping tight around her mother’s neck.

Svetlana kissed the top of her head, still holding her close. “That’s the best news, baby,” she whispered, her chest warm with joy. “Come, let’s tell Daddy together.” She reached for the phone, her smile not fading as Eva continued to laugh against her shoulder.