MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat-Chapter 853: Wait is over

The next few weeks passed smoother than Damon expected. Training was still part of his routine, but most of the days were spent exploring the city with his family. Singapore turned out to be the perfect place for a short break before the intensity of fight week.

Ava took full control of the schedule.

Every morning, she woke up pointing at a new place on the hotel pamphlets or signs she saw downstairs.

"Daddy, I want to go there."

"Daddy, what is that shiny building?"

"Daddy, take me to the place with the big trees and the lights."

Damon and Svetlana followed along, and the driver adjusted without complaint.

Ava also took longer naps than usual. The excitement seemed to drain her faster, and every afternoon she would crash on Damon's shoulder or Svetlana's lap, knocked out like someone had pressed a switch. When she woke up, it was with the same burst of energy she always had.

"Where we going now?" she would ask the moment her eyes opened.

They visited parks, malls, gardens, aquariums, and even a small children's museum. Ava tried everything, buttons, toys, displays, even things she wasn't supposed to touch.

Svetlana kept apologizing to workers. Damon kept picking Ava up before she sprinted off into another section.

But she loved every moment.

Svetlana did too. The walks, the scenery, the food, the quiet corners by the waterfront, it was all new to her. She looked calmer after each trip, even though the pregnancy made her tire easily.

Damon enjoyed seeing them happy. Even with training sessions in the mornings and the weight of the event on his shoulders, he found himself relaxing more than he expected. The country was clean, safe, and quiet yet bright with activity.

Throughout the stay, Damon kept a balanced routine. While he spent most days exploring with his family, he still attended the required media shoots for the event.

UNO and UFA had prepared a long list of promotional ads, short interviews, and quick photo sessions. Every champion had to show up for them, and Damon was no different.

Some shoots were easy, just a few poses under strong lights. Others took longer, with retakes and different angles, but Damon handled them without complaint. It was part of the job.

Training continued as well.

His team flew in a few days after they arrived in Singapore. Once they settled, they found a local gym where Damon could run light sessions. Nothing heavy yet.

The best part was that he didn't have to cut weight.

His last fight with Blake Cole kept him within the right range, so his diet remained normal. He could eat comfortably, enjoy meals with his family, and stay healthy without stress.

Victor kept an eye on everything, adjusting training times around the heat and the travel fatigue. Joey brought snacks and joked the whole time. The rest of the team handled logistics.

Damon focused on movement, defense, and conditioning.

It made the days easier, and the nights calmer.

He felt ready, even with the event getting closer. The combination of family time, controlled training, and the change in environment helped him stay sharp without burning out.

The next major step was the pre-event press conference.

UNO and UFA gathered every champion on one long stage, with media from all over the world filling the hall. Cameras flashed nonstop, and the noise barely settled even when the moderators tried to start.

Damon sat near the center with the other headliners. Svetlana watched from the side seats, calm but focused.

The early questions went to the lighter divisions. Each champion talked about respect, preparation, and excitement. It was the usual pre-fight talk.

But the energy shifted when the mic finally turned to Damon.

A reporter in the front raised his hand. "Damon Cross," he said loudly, "your opponent Shenil Ardigon is undefeated with all knockout wins. How do you see this match going?"

The room quieted. Everyone waited.

Damon adjusted the mic and leaned forward slightly. "I'm going to win," he said plainly.

A few laughs slipped from the crowd, but the reporter pushed, "Any prediction on when or how?"

Damon didn't hesitate. "First round."

The room exploded with noise.

Some fans cheered. Some roared. Some reporters turned to each other with wide eyes. Cameras clicked nonstop as the statement replayed across every livestream.

Shenil stared ahead, expression stiff. His coaches whispered behind him, already annoyed.

Another reporter raised a mic quickly. "You're confident you can stop an aggressive pressure fighter that fast?"

Damon nodded. "Yeah. I've seen what I need to see. He's strong, he's dangerous, but he's not at my level. First round. I'm not dragging it out."

The fans in the hall reacted again, louder this time.

Some shouted Damon's name. Others laughed in disbelief. The energy rose so fast that even the moderator had to step in.

"Alright, alright, let's keep moving, next question."

But the moment stuck.

It became the headline of the conference.

Clips hit social media within minutes.

"DAMON CROSS GUARANTEES FIRST-ROUND FINISH."

"CROSSFIGHT: THE CONFIDENCE OF A TWO-DIVISION CHAMP."

"SHENIL VS DAMON JUST GOT SERIOUS."

Even Ronan, sitting a few seats down, smirked as if he expected nothing less.

Damon knew he had to sell the fight, but he also believed every word he said. Shenil was good. Strong, aggressive, and explosive. But Damon had seen everything a fighter could show.

He had dealt with pressure fighters, knockout artists, wrestlers, specialists, and veterans with decades of experience. Shenil wasn't bringing anything new.

A part of Damon even felt bad for him.

If Damon beat him, and he was sure he would, Shenil's undefeated aura would break. His title contention hype would take a hit. People would say he wasn't ready, that he shouldn't have been matched with Damon this early in his career.

But at the same time, Damon knew how this sport worked.

If Shenil somehow pulled off an upset, he would skyrocket to the top. And if Damon beat him clean, Shenil could still bounce back by beating the champion after. The opportunity was still there for him. Losing to a double champion didn't end anyone's career.

Even so, Damon understood the pressure he was putting on the man.

It wasn't personal. It was how the sport went.

And now, the waiting was over.