MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

In a flash, the world of martial arts media was full of posts and conversations about Damon Cross's performance after the fight and his strong comments.

Every major channel shared clips of his knockout along with captions that made the craze even bigger.

"Damon Cross: The Knockout Artist Strikes Again!"

"Second-Round Shockwave: Damon Cross Dismantles Mikal Pereira!"

The knockouts would have been enough to make the headlines, but Damon's words at the press conference after the fight made it even louder.

It was lively with discussion, analysis, and a bit of drama all over Chirper, FightBook, and The Cage Forum.

@MMAFanatic98:

"Cross isn't just a knockout artist, he's a straight-up savage on the mic too! That Calvin Oland shade was cold.

@Canonstitcg:

"Damon Cross better watch his mouth. Calvin would smoke him in one round. Stay in your lane, rookie.

@FightGuru:

"Damon Cross did what he needed to do, put the middleweight division on notice. Top 10, here he comes!"

Post after post dissected his words. A popular fight analyst wrote a long piece breaking down Damon's comment about Calvin Oland:

"Cross's response was calculated, and he's not wrong. Oland's call-out feels more like an attempt to stay relevant than a legitimate challenge. Damon is focused on moving up the rankings, and his decision to dismiss Calvin's provocation shows his discipline and understanding of the game."

Meanwhile, fans and fighters alike couldn't stop talking about the head-kick knockout. Slow-motion replays were shared alongside captions that called it "the cleanest finish of the year."

But not all of the feedback was positive. Critics questioned Damon's decision to call out the top ten, claiming he might be biting off more than he could chew.

@CasualFightFan:

"He's good, but let's be real. Top 10? Dude's 7-0. Let him fight someone like Calvin before jumping the ladder.

@MikalFan:

"Tereira didn't even take the fight seriously. Let's see Cross handle a real challenge before we start the hype train."

Even though people had different thoughts, Damon's name was everywhere.

His potential was talked about in articles and podcasts, and memes of Mikal getting knocked out were shared online.

One that got a lot of attention showed Mikal's body going stiff and had the caption:

"When you realize you messed with the wrong guy."

Some posts reflected the growing admiration for Damon's meteoric rise:

@MMAChronicles:

"As the year winds down, there's no denying it, this has been Damon Cross's year. Not only did he break the record for most matches fought in one year under UFA, but he also won every single one. While he hasn't secured a title yet, his undefeated streak and dominance in the octagon are undeniable. The future is bright for 'The Ronin.'"

@CombatCorner:

"Damon Cross isn't just climbing the ranks; he's doing it in record-breaking style. 2024 has been his year. No belt yet, but this kind of consistency and skill deserves respect. The middleweight division better be ready."

Fans chimed in with their own praise:

@FightNightFanboy:

"7-0 in one year?! Damon Cross is built different. He's gotta be Fighter of the Year, no question

@MMAHype:

"Damon Cross didn't just show up, he took over. Breaking records and putting on highlight-reel performances. The dude's on fire!

Even casual viewers were impressed, posting memes and comments that celebrated his incredible pace:

@inasboisin:

"Damon Cross fights more in a year than some champs do in three. Respect the grind, my guy. #KnockoutKing"

@AssOverEverything:

"Most fights in a year. Most wins in a year. Most knockouts in a year? Damon Cross is rewriting the record books one kick at a time."

It was clear that Damon wasn't just another fighter in the story.

His record-setting fights made him the fighter to watch, and as the year came to a close, everyone was still talking about him.

Damon raised an eyebrow at the word on the post. "The Ronin?" he repeated aloud, the name rolling off his tongue with curiosity.

Svetlana, seated beside him on the bench under the glowing lights of Eleanor Tinsley Park, glanced up from her own phone. "Hmm?" she asked, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him.

Damon shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just this name someone called me on a post. 'The Ronin.' Never heard it before."

As Svetlana looked at his screen, she leaned in closer and brushed her hair against his arm. "Ronin?" "Is that the way you say it?" She asked with a bit of interest in her voice.

"I think so," Damon replied, still staring at the word.

"What does it mean?" she asked, her gaze shifting from the phone to his face.

Damon looked at her, a teasing grin forming as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I don't know either," he admitted, his tone light. "Let me search it up."

He pulled up his browser and typed "Ronin meaning" into the search bar. The results loaded quickly, and Damon clicked on the first link. Clearing his throat, he read aloud.

"It says here: Ronin were masterless samurai in feudal Japan. Without a lord or master to serve, they wandered independently. They were known for their discipline, skill, and resilience." He paused, absorbing the meaning. "Basically, a samurai without a master."

Svetlana tilted her head thoughtfully, a soft smile forming. "That's actually kind of fitting for you."

Damon raised an eyebrow, amused. "How so?"

She shrugged, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him. "Well, think about it. You've been on your own since the start, making your own way, figuring things out by yourself. You're independent, disciplined, and definitely skilled. It's like they wrote that description for you."

For a moment, Damon was quiet. The soft glow of the park lights cast shadows on his face. With a small smile on his face, he shook his head."Doesn't fit."

Svetlana tilted her head, intrigued. "Mmh? Why not?"

He glanced at her, his expression contemplative. "I mean, you said I've been alone, but I really haven't. Not really. From the moment I left Ireland, I had my mom. She's always been there for me, still is. When I came here, she gave me a foundation, even when things were rough."

He paused, his eyes drifting toward the shimmering reflection of the lights on the water. "Then I met Joey. He's like a brother to me, you know? Always has my back. And Victor… I don't like my dad, but Victor? He's the father I never had. He's there whenever I need advice, guidance, anything."

Svetlana watched him closely, her smile softening as he continued.

"And the group," Damon added, his tone lighter now. "Ash, Ty, Edward, Ashley … they're my people. They've been with me through all of this. I've never really been alone. Sure, life hasn't been perfect, far from it. But it hasn't been terrible either. It's been… good."

He turned back to her, his voice softening. "And not to mention you. I'm not alone. I have you."

Svetlana chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Thought you forgot about me for a second there."

"Never," Damon replied instantly, his voice firm. He reached over, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "But yeah… 'Ronin' is a cool name. It's badass. But it wouldn't fit. Not for me."

Svetlana leaned her head on his shoulder, a content smile spreading across her lips. "Maybe not," she said softly, "but even if it doesn't fit your life, it still describes your fight. You're a warrior, Damon. No matter what name they give you, you'll make it your own."

Damon smiled, the warmth of her words settling into his chest. "Maybe. But I know one thing for sure, I wouldn't be here without everyone who's been with me along the way."