The media had grown used to Damon Cross dominating fights, but his complete control and playful dismantling of Shane Brickland had left a mark.
This wasn't just another title defense. it was a public display of gap in class, fight IQ, and poise under pressure.
His record now stood at a flawless 27-0.
Five successful defenses in the UFA.
Two-time undisputed World MMA Tournament Champion.
And while the global tournament wasn't a promotion title, it carried a weight even heavier in some ways, one born of merit, survival, and absolute presence on the world stage.
Damon Cross wasn't just the best middleweight in the world.
He was the middleweight.
Analysts, fighters, and even former champions began comparing resumes, styles, and legacies, trying to place him. Some whispered he was the best in the sport today, pound-for-pound.
Others hesitated, citing the quiet dominance of Eslum in the lower weights, but no one could deny Damon's path was louder, harder, and undeniably more visible.
He had defended against every top name the UFA could find. He had beaten the best international threats from tournament brackets that chewed up legends. And now, with no worthy names left in his division, he prepared to move up.
From now on, people wouldn't just talk about Damon Cross as a great champion.
They would talk about him as a standard.
Comments, memes, edits, everywhere you looked, Damon Cross was the topic. Some praised.
Some mocked Shane. Others debated what would happen next as Damon prepared to leave middleweight.
But one thing was clear, fans were entertained.
Damon really hit a sprawl fake just to laugh at this man. I've never seen bullying done that technically.』
That wasn't a fight. That was Damon Cross clocking in for work and finishing early.』
Shane: "I'm gonna end his career."
Damon: taps forehead "What career?"』
Cross vs Brickland 2 is officially the best comedy of the year.』
Middleweight champ leaves the division undefeated. 27-0. 5 defenses. 2x world tournament champ.
People STILL saying he'll lose at 205. Let's see who stops him.』
Brickland got beat so bad he might start complimenting people now.』
Best part wasn't even the finish—it was Damon whispering to him mid-fight. That man is evil.』
Damon fighting at 205 gonna be different. New monsters, new challenges. But if he moves up there? It's curtains.』
I'm a Shane fan, but after that beating? Respect to Damon. That was pure levels.』
Imagine trolling your opponent WHILE ground-and-pounding them. Damon's different. We eating good tonight, boys.』
A single comment set it off.
"Damon is the best in the world. He's the real P4P. Better than Kamil Murnamadov or Eslum. He's walking close to JJ status."』
That alone sent the MMA world into chaos. At first, most nodded along—few denied that Damon was at the top. But it wasn't long before the back-and-forth began.
『[@LightweightKing93]:
"Casual. Kamil would body Damon if they were in the same weight class. 29–0. Lightweight GOAT."』
But the OP returned, unapologetic and ready.
"Kamil is lightweight GOAT? Cool. But Eslum has done better than him already. Damon? He's better than both. As for 29–0? Damon is 27–0. Two fights away from that same number, and Damon already has 5 title defenses. Where's your GOAT's resume? Damon's the most well-rounded fighter in the sport right now.
Kamil and Eslum might outwrestle him slightly, maybe. But Damon's wrestling is elite enough to shut both down, and let's not even start on the feet. My guy's got those hands.
All three are all-time talents. but Damon is the best fighter today.
If anyone's got GOAT potential right now, it's Damon and Eslum. That's it."』
From there, the floodgates opened.
People brought up everything, records, resumes, finishes, strength of schedule.
Names like Jorge Saints, Joseph Eldaman, Elakzander Zolkanovski, and even old greats like the light heavyweight and heavyweight former double champ and even fighters that were heavyweight predators.
Some held to their era.
Others pushed the new blood.
But through it all, even those defending Damon missed a key point.
And with a division conquered, two world tournament titles, five defenses, and an unbeaten record?
That was the part most forgot.
Damon Cross wasn't just dominating a sport. He was doing it young.
It truly showed how rare Damon was. not just in skill, but in consistency. The sport had always been filled with flashes of brilliance, quick rises, and even quicker falls. But Damon stood outside of that pattern. He was methodical, dominant, and still evolving.
Most of his wins weren't edge-of-your-seat decisions. They were clear, composed, and commanding. From brutal ground control to crisp striking, every victory looked like it had been mapped out in advance.
And that was the unsettling part for many fighters watching.
He hadn't even peaked.
It was easy to talk about talent. About records. About matchups. But what Damon had was different. It was a blend of cold discipline, violent creativity, and terrifying calm.
No one knew where he would end up. No one knew how far he would go.
But every time he stepped into the cage, it became harder to imagine a ceiling.
And that was what separated Damon Cross from the rest.
He didn't just chase greatness.
He looked like he was it.
Another post hit the timeline and quickly gained traction.
It was Jon Dlachovizc:
Good fight to Damon. Amazing win, and entertaining performance.
This is probably the best fighter in that division.
Can't wait to get a go at him again, in my division.
It didn't take long before Damon responded with a repost:』
Fans instantly took notice. The rematch between them had always been anticipated, ever since Damon first beat Jon at middleweight.
But now, in a heavier division, with new stakes and a fresh chapter, it carried even more weight.
With both fighters showing interest publicly, the ball was now in UFA's court.
All it needed was a date.