The next day, the media was in full force.
Headlines flooded the internet. Analysts dissected every second of Damon's fight, breaking down his precision, his dominance, his sheer control over every aspect of the bout. Social media was no different, clips of his performance spread like wildfire, racking up millions of views.
But what stood out the most was the conversation surrounding him.
A fighter who had never won a championship, never held gold around his waist, was now being called a GOAT.
It was rare, maybe even unheard of. Fighters were typically crowned legends after years of title reigns, multiple defenses, and rivalries that spanned eras. Yet here was Damon Cross, shattering that narrative.
Fans debated fiercely. Some claimed his dominance alone was enough to put him in the conversation. Others argued that until he won a belt, he wasn't even close.
But amidst all the noise, one reply stood out.
A simple response from Damon himself, posted under a viral thread debating his status:
[I'm no GOAT, I like having GOAT for dinner though.]
The internet exploded.
Some took it as arrogance, others as cold-blooded confidence.
But even if some didn't like him, especially those who still held onto the controversy of the late stoppage, none of it mattered.
No matter how much they criticized him, no matter how many called him reckless or heartless for not stopping on his own, there was one undeniable fact.
Damon Cross was still undefeated.
The only way to shut him up, to prove he wasn't what people claimed, was for someone to humble him in the cage.
And yet, looking at the competition left in the tournament, even the most die-hard critics struggled to find a name they could pin their hopes on.
Because no matter how much they wanted him to lose, the reality was becoming clear.
Damon wasn't just winning.
He was making it look effortless.
It took a different kind of beast to turn haters into fans.
But an even rarer one to leave them hopeless, filled with hate, yet with nothing to back it up.
Damon's performance last night wasn't just dominant. It was something else entirely. Something that even fighters, analysts, and former champions had to acknowledge.
This man didn't need a title shot.
Not in the future. Not after one more win. Right now.
And that sentiment spread like wildfire across social media, fueling debates, fueling insults, and, most notably, fueling massive disrespect toward the current UFA Middleweight Champion.
The reigning champ, a man who had once been the focal point of his division, was suddenly an afterthought.
Overnight, he had been pushed into the shadows, overshadowed, discredited, and discarded.
It was as if he had never existed.
Like a forgettable champion, lost in history.
People began to wonder if there was even competition left for Damon Cross.
It wasn't just about the fighters he had already beaten, it was about the ones still standing. But despite their experience, their skills, and their reputations, the world had already decided.
Damon Cross was inevitable.
The way he fought, the way he dominated, it made people believe there was no one left who could stop him. Analysts broke down his performances with awe, fighters spoke his name with caution, and fans were already calling him a future all-time great.
And if Damon had to be honest with himself, he felt it too.
It wasn't arrogance, at least, not at first. It was just reality. He was that good. He had walked through everyone the sport had thrown at him, dismantling champions, contenders, and prospects alike. He had humiliated the UFA middleweight champion and barely broke a sweat doing it.
It was impossible not to believe in his own hype when the world seemed to confirm it at every turn.
And that was the danger.
He wasn't just confident. He was sure.
Sure that he was the best. Sure that no one in this tournament could stop him. Sure that it wasn't a matter of if he would win, but how quickly.
For the first time in a long time, Damon wasn't questioning. He wasn't calculating risks. He wasn't thinking about what could go wrong.
He knew he was going to win.
Because who could stop him?
And at the moment, Damon was in a good place.
Healthy. Wealthy. Happy.
For once, there was no immediate struggle, no lingering doubts, no reason to dwell on the past or overthink the future. Everything was exactly as it should be. He had just put on one of the most dominant performances of his career, and the world was watching.
Back at the hotel, he scrolled through his phone, seeing the endless wave of posts dissecting his latest victory. Analysts breaking down his every move, fighters giving their reluctant respect, fans either celebrating him or desperately hoping someone would humble him.
It was a strange thing, knowing that every move he made, every word he said, carried weight. The pressure that came with being the guy didn't feel like pressure at all. If anything, it felt like fuel.
A notification popped up, an article headline.
"Is Damon Cross Already the Best Middleweight in the World?"
He didn't even click on it. He already knew what they were saying.
But beyond the noise, beyond the media, beyond the hype, there was still something real, his life outside the cage. And right now, he had the rare opportunity to enjoy it.
Svetlana was sitting on the hotel couch, scrolling through her own phone, legs tucked beneath her. She had been unusually quiet since they got back. Damon locked his phone and set it aside.
"You good?" he asked.
She glanced up, then gave a small smile. "Yeah. Just reading."
Damon raised an eyebrow. "About me?"
"Obviously," she said, rolling her eyes. "It's all over the place. You're everywhere right now."
Damon smirked, leaning back against the headboard. "And?"
She studied him for a moment before shrugging. "I just hope you don't let all this get to your head."
Damon exhaled, amused. "Too late."
Svetlana tossed a pillow at him, laughing. "Idiot."
The next fight could wait. The tournament could wait.
For now, life was good.