MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat - Chapter 812

Chapter 812: Chapter 812: Backstage Calm

Soon enough, the table began to clear. Fighters filed out with their teams, cameras trailed after them, and the buzz of the press slowly shifted toward the endless cycle of headlines and highlight reels.

Damon left the room through the side exit, stepping into the quieter hallways of the arena.

Waiting for him just past security was Victor, seated in a chair with Ava perched on his lap.

The little girl’s eyes lit up the moment she saw her father, her tiny arms stretching out toward him.

“Daddy!” she squealed.

Damon’s expression softened instantly. He reached forward, scooping her into his arms, her little hands clinging tight to his neck.

Victor stood, brushing off his jacket, a smile tugging at his lips. “Great talk out there,” he said. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Damon chuckled, adjusting Ava on his hip. “He kind of made it easy, digging his own grave with half the things he said.”

Victor laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “Yeah, well… keep that same energy tomorrow. Words don’t win fights.”

Damon nodded, his smirk fading into a steadier look of focus as Ava rested her head against his shoulder. The press conference was over. Now, the only thing left was fight night.

Svetlana returned from the restroom, her steps quick as she joined them in the hallway.

She leaned in, kissing Damon half on the lip, half on the cheek, before wrapping her arms around her father in a brief hug.

Damon smiled, adjusting Ava in his arms. “We’re done. We can go back to the hotel.”

Svetlana nodded, slipping her hand into his as they began to walk. The tension of the press room felt distant now, replaced by the quiet relief of leaving it behind.

Victor paused before following. He looked at Damon, then at his granddaughter clinging to her father’s shoulder. “You guys go on,” he said. “Damon, don’t be late tomorrow.”

Damon gave a simple nod, steady and certain.

Victor leaned toward Ava, his expression softening. “Goodbye, sweetheart. Be good for Mama and Papa.”

Ava waved at him with her tiny hand, her head resting on Damon’s shoulder. Victor watched them head down the corridor together, the noise of the arena fading as the family stepped out toward the night.

The drive back to the hotel didn’t take long.

By the time Damon pulled into the lot, Ava had already dozed off in her seat, her small head tilted against the side.

Svetlana glanced back and smiled, reaching over to adjust her daughter gently.

They stepped out into the evening air, moving quickly through the side entrance the UFA staff had arranged for them.

Even here, fans had gathered outside, some shouting Damon’s name, others raising their phones for a glimpse.

Damon gave a small wave, but kept his pace steady, his arm around Svetlana as they made their way inside.

The hotel lobby glowed with polished marble and soft lights.

Staff guided them past the front desk, straight to the elevator that would take them up to their suite.

Inside, Damon shifted Ava into his arms, her tiny hands curling into his shirt even in sleep.

The elevator ride was quiet, broken only by the hum of machinery and the steady rhythm of Damon’s breathing.

They all got home safe, settling into the quiet of the suite. For Damon, Svetlana, and Ava, the night was still and calm, a sharp contrast to the storm outside.

The fans had their own thing going on.

Clips from the press conference were flooding every platform.

The exchange between Damon and Ivan, where he cut him off and shut him down, was replayed endlessly.

Headlines popped up within minutes: “Damon Cross Silences Ivan Novak in Heated Conference” — “The Irish Ronin Calls Out Ivan’s Legacy” — “Cross vs. Novak Face-Off Explodes Before Fight Night.”

Chirper was chaos. Fans clipped the exact moment Damon leaned forward and asked Ivan, “Am I wrong?” turning it into a meme within hours. The shot of Damon telling Chase to “shut it, kid” went viral, with side-by-side edits comparing their ages and career stats, driving home how much higher Damon had climbed in the same amount of time.

@FightFanatic88: Damon cooked Ivan so bad the man looked like he wanted to disappear off stage 💀 #RoninEra

@MMAQueen: “Am I wrong?” might be the coldest line of the year. Ivan had NOTHING. #CrossVsNovak

@JustBleedBro: Chase really said Damon’s overrated then got son’d in front of the whole world 😂😭 kid got told to shut up by a 24 year old double champ. #Levels

@IrishLion23: Imagine being 27, talking down to Max, then Damon walks in and calls you a child. Pain. #ChaseExposed

@CombatCorner: Ivan saying Damon hasn’t fought anyone notable is WILD when Damon literally cleaned two divisions. Man’s clutching at straws. #ClownTake

@BetMMA247: Odds just swung harder after that presser. Damon now sitting -275, Ivan +210. Chase’s stock dropped, people hammering José.

@KnockoutKing: Ivan brought a knife to a gunfight. Damon’s mic work was sharper than his elbows 🤣 #PressConferenceMurder

@RoninNation: “I gave you your first title shot, handed it to you in a golden platter.” Broooo Damon was talking like a mob boss 😳🔥 #CrossEra

@MMAHistoryNerd: The difference in aura is insane. Damon looked like the star, Ivan looked like the challenger who just showed up. #NotTheSame

@UFAInside: Chase Dunham caught more strays than José did punches this season. Might be time to stop saying Damon’s shadow, because that’s exactly what he’s stuck in.

@VegasBetter: Easy money tomorrow. Damon ITD. José by decision. Put it in. Thank me later.

@CageTalk: Funniest part is Ivan’s whole “all talk” exit line. Buddy, that’s what they ALL say right before they get folded.

All in all, everyone was ready for tomorrow night. The hype, the debates, the memes, the trash talk, it all built to a single point. The fans wanted answers, and the only place they could be found was inside the cage.

Tomorrow, Damon Cross and Ivan Novak would finally clash.