MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

A sleek black Audi RS7 pulled into the parking lot of a high-end coffee shop, the kind that rich people like to hang out in.

The shop's clean glass exterior and small gold accents gave off an air of luxury that made it clear that this wasn't just any coffee shop, but one of the best.

Damon got out of the car with a smile on his face, happy.

Still, he wasn't ready to let loose and go full speed monster on the road.

Driving had become second nature to him.

He no longer felt nervous, and he felt in confident.

But he wasn't so careful that he didn't leave room for growth when he drove.

Pressing the lock button on his key fob, the car beeped in response as the mirrors folded in.

The gleaming black finish reflected the midday sun, drawing a few admiring glances from passersby.

Damon adjusted his jacket and strode toward the entrance of the coffee shop.

Upon entering, the smell of freshly made coffee welcomed him, with the warm notes of espresso mixing with the light sweetness of pastries.

The inside looked just as nice as the outside, with smooth wooden furniture, soft chairs, and a quiet atmosphere that spoke to the people who came in.

This wasn't Damon's usual type of place, but he liked how quiet and fancy it was.

He looked around the room and saw Victor sitting at a corner table with a cup of coffee and a plate of unsealed croissants next to him.

Damon nodded to himself and made his way over, ready for whatever conversation Victor had called him here for.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Damon walked into the coffee shop, his eyes scanning for Victor.

He spotted him easily in a corner booth, casually scrolling through his phone, a cup of coffee in front of him.

Damon made his way over and slid into the seat across from him.

Victor glanced up, a small smile forming as they exchanged greetings.

Victor leaned back, folding his arms. "So, how's the car treating you?"

Damon smirked. "It's good. Smooth ride, feels powerful. I'm finally getting the hang of driving without looking like a complete rookie."

Victor chuckled, sipping his coffee. "That's good. Don't get too comfortable though. Overconfidence can bite you."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm careful," Damon replied, waving it off. "I'm not speeding or anything."

They both laughed lightly, the mood relaxed, but Damon noticed Victor's tone shifting as he straightened up slightly.

"So," Victor began, setting his coffee down, "how do you feel about handling more media stuff? Like interviews, maybe podcasts, that sort of thing. Talking in front of a camera."

Damon raised an eyebrow. "What, like sitting down and answering questions?"

Victor nodded. "Yeah. You've got the momentum right now. People want to hear from you. But it's a skill, and it's not as simple as just talking. You'd have to be prepared to handle tough questions, stay composed, and keep your answers interesting."

Damon leaned back, thoughtful. "I mean, I'm not the best talker. Never really cared about the spotlight. But if it's part of the game, I guess I'll figure it out."

Victor nodded, studying him. "You've got the personality for it. People like you because you're real, but you need to find a way to channel that on camera without freezing up or sounding too rehearsed."

Damon shrugged. "Alright, so what's the plan? You throwing me in front of a mic tomorrow or what?"

Victor smirked. "Something like that. There's an offer for you to appear on a podcast next week. Low stakes, just fighters talking shop. But it's good exposure. You game?"

Damon paused, his fingers lightly drumming on the table as he mulled it over.

It wasn't like he had an issue with talking about his career or fights, but the idea of saying the wrong thing, something that could be taken out of context and blown up, nagged at him.

He leaned forward slightly, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, I don't see a problem with it. But I also don't want to be one of those guys who says something dumb and ends up in hot water."

Victor smirked, clearly having anticipated Damon's concern. "Relax, Don. I made sure there are questions they can't touch. The whole thing's been vetted. They know what's off-limits, so you don't have to worry about stepping on any landmines."

With that, Damon nodded in agreement. He didn't see any issue with doing the podcast.

"I guess it could be fun," he said, leaning back in his seat. "I'm not fighting right now, so why not?"

Victor smiled approvingly. "Good. You'll do fine. Now," he said, shifting gears, "let's talk about your next fight."

Stay connected through empire

Damon raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Who do you want?"

Damon chuckled, his confidence shining through. "Well, I don't think I have much of a choice in that," he said, his tone casual but thoughtful. "But… anyone just outside the top five would be good."

Victor nodded, listening closely as Damon continued.

"Like you said before," Damon added, "the UFA will probably want to build me up. So, someone in the top ten makes sense. Build the hype, make it big."

Victor leaned forward, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Smart thinking, kid. You're getting it. The bigger the fight, the bigger the buzz. And if they put you in with someone tough but beatable, it sets you up perfectly for a title push."

Victor leaned back in his chair, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. That's why you need to give the UFA something to work with. If they ask you about your next fight on the podcast, or anything about your plans, just give them a solid answer. Nothing vague or dodgy. Keep it confident, but not cocky."

Damon raised an eyebrow, considering Victor's advice. "So, what? Just say I'm ready for whoever's next?"

Victor shook his head slightly. "Not exactly. Be smart about it. You're not just fighting for a paycheck; you're building your brand. If they bring up your next fight, answer it with purpose. Say you're ready to fight anyone in the top ten, someone who will push you. Make it clear you're aiming for bigger challenges, but don't make it sound like you're calling out the entire division."

Damon smirked. "Alright. Confident, but not arrogant. Got it."