MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat - Chapter 809

Chapter 809: Chapter 809: The Final Stare

The crowd surged as Damon and Ivan stepped to the center of the stage.

They squared up, eyes locked, but it wasn’t the kind of face-off that had them pressing foreheads together.

There was no cheap show for the cameras, no fake scuffle for headlines. It was respectful at the very least, two men who understood what the other represented.

The noise built around them, fans from both sides chanting and waving banners.

Damon stood tall, shoulders relaxed, his hands loose at his sides. Ivan mirrored him, chin slightly raised, his stare sharp but steady.

Jim Logan moved in with the mic, his voice booming over the roar of the arena. “Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow night these two undefeated champions meet in one of the most anticipated fights in the history of this sport. Damon Cross. Ivan Novak. The Irish Ronin versus the Interim King.”

The crowd erupted again, the energy vibrating through the stage. Jim raised his hand for quiet, then turned toward Damon first. “Damon, people have been debating this fight for months. I’ll ask you straight, how does this fight end?”

Damon leaned slightly toward the mic, his eyes never leaving Ivan’s. “Second round,” he said, calm and direct. “I’m taking that chin… and I’m taking that zero.”

The crowd exploded, half in cheers, half in boos, the tension crackling instantly. Jim turned quickly to Ivan, holding the mic out. “Ivan, your response. What happens when that cage door closes?”

Ivan finally broke his stare, glancing at the crowd before leaning in. “Simple,” he said in his heavy accent. “Five rounds or less. He breaks before I do. Tomorrow, I take everything.”

The noise doubled, fans from both sides shouting, chanting, and waving their flags.

Security stepped in closer as the two men continued to stare down, their words already written into the story of the fight

Fight week rolled forward, and the weigh-ins became yesterday’s noise.

The chants, the predictions, the face-off, all of it was replayed on screens across every fight outlet.

But now the real spotlight shifted to the final step before fight night: the press conference.

The ballroom had been transformed into a media hub.

Long rows of cameras stood at the back, lights glaring against the stage, and every seat in the crowd was packed with reporters, analysts, and fans lucky enough to slip inside.

UFA banners draped across the walls, the organization branding every inch of the setup.

Backstage, Damon sat with Victor and his team, his tracksuit zipped, his hands clasped on his knees.

A few feet away, Ivan and his camp mirrored the same posture, two champions waiting to be called out.

Security lined the hallways, and staff moved quickly between them, carrying clipboards and radios.

Ronan leaned into the mic, his grin wide as the crowd settled again.

“Before we get to the main event, we’ve got to talk about the finals of The Supreme Fighter. These young men have fought their way through a season of wars, and now they’re here, on the biggest stage in the world, to prove who’s next.”

He gestured toward the curtain. “In the lightweight division, it’s Max Taylor versus Ronny McGregor!”

The two finalists walked out under the lights, both sharp in suits, and took their seats. Max nodded calmly at the crowd, while Ronny raised a fist, drawing cheers from his supporters.

“And in the middleweight bracket,” Ronan continued, “José Alvarez versus Chase Dunham!”

José came out with a measured smile, waving briefly, while Chase carried his usual swagger, slapping his chest as he sat down.

The cameras snapped nonstop, the crowd buzzing as the four finalists filled their seats at the table.

Ronan continued through the rest of the card, introducing fighters from the prelims and main card, though not with the same weight.

Each name earned its round of applause, but it was clear who the spotlight was building toward.

Finally, after running through the lineup, Ronan lifted his notes and leaned back into the mic, his tone rising with anticipation.

“And now, for tomorrow night’s main event… two undefeated champions. The reigning middleweight champion and the reigning interim middleweight champion. Damon Cross versus Ivan Novak!”

The ballroom erupted, the noise nearly shaking the stage. Both men remained seated at opposite ends of the long table, their eyes locked even as the crowd lost control around them.

Ronan stepped back from the mic for a moment as the cheers rolled through the ballroom, letting the crowd burn off their energy.

When the noise finally dipped, he leaned in again, his voice steady but commanding.

“Alright, listen up. Tomorrow night we’ve got one of the biggest cards of the year. Every fight you just heard announced is official. Every fighter you see up here has already made weight, and all that’s left now is to show up and fight.”

He glanced down the long table, nodding toward the finalists, the contenders, and finally the champions at either end.

“This is how it’s gonna go. Reporters, you’ll get your questions, and we’ll move down the line. Keep it about the fights, keep it professional. Fighters, answer what you want, pass what you don’t. But no matter what’s said up here today, remember this: the talking ends tomorrow when that cage door closes.”

The fans roared in approval, a few chants breaking out as Ronan leaned back, letting them have their moment before cutting in again.

“One more thing. This is a big night for everyone sitting at this table. From the guys making their first finals appearance in The Supreme Fighter to the champions who’ve carried this company on their backs, you’ve all earned your spot here. So give the fans what they came for. Energy, honesty, and a little fire.”

The crowd clapped and whistled, the tension in the air growing thicker. Ronan smirked, tapping the mic once.

“Alright. Let’s get this thing started. Reporters, who’s got the first question?”

Damon sat at the far end of the table, shoulders relaxed, his hands folded neatly in front of him.

As Ronan’s words settled over the room, he let his eyes move down the line of fighters.

Max, Ronny, José, and Chase all sat with the same anticipation written on their faces, waiting for the first questions, eager to speak their piece.