Damon squeezed with everything he had left, feeling his muscles burn with the effort.
Edward's struggles slowed, his resistance weakening as the choke took effect.
Damon could feel the seconds ticking down, but he held on, refusing to let go.
Edward's hands clawed weakly at Damon's arms, but there was no escape.
Damon could feel the victory within his hands.
He just needed to hold on a little longer. The roar of the crowd was a distraction, but Damon didn't lose his focus.
Damon tightened his grip, forcing every bit of his remaining strength into the choke. His muscles screamed with the effort as he held on tightly.
Edward's struggles continued to weaken, his attempts to escape growing increasingly feeble.
For a moment, he seemed to regain some fight, his arms moving sluggishly in a last, desperate effort.
But as the choke deepened, his movements began to slow again.
The referee moved in to check Edward's condition. He lifted Edward's arm, letting it drop to the mat.
It fell limply, but when he checked again, there was a bit of strength remaining. Edward's arm still had some resistance, though it was weak.
Damon, determined, kept the choke tight, feeling victory was close.
Just as Edward's resistance seemed to be fading completely, the bell rang, signaling the end of the round. The referee stepped in, waving his arms to stop the match.
The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and confusion with some other booing.
Damon, panting heavily, released the choke and sank back onto the mat, convinced he had secured the win.
The referee moved over to Edward, who was still unconscious.
After checking Edward, the referee looked up and spoke quietly to the judges at ringside.
Damon, exhausted and with his hands on his knees, watched intently.
He could see the referee exchanging words with the judges but couldn't make out what was being said, they seem to be looking on a screen of a tablet. Maybe they were confirming the time.
Finally, the referee turned back to Damon. "The match ended before Edward was fully unconscious or could tap," he said. "When I checked Edward's arm the second time, it still had some strength. We can't declare a winner right now. We checked the time and recording, and it shows that Edward went unconscious after the bell rang. The decision will be up to the judges."
Damon's face showed a mix of disappointment and confusion. He slumped against the cage, his head hanging as he tried to process the news.
Michael said, "What a dramatic finish! Damon had Edward in a tight guillotine choke, but the bell rang before Edward could fully go out or tap."
Daniel added, "It's a tough break for Damon. The fight now goes to the judges, as the choke didn't result in a clear finish before the round ended."
As Damon sat on the mat, catching his breath and absorbing the news, the medical team quickly moved in to attend to Edward.
The crowd watched in silence, waiting for the final decision.
Edward slowly began to regain consciousness. His eyes fluttered open, and he groaned, disoriented.
The medical team worked swiftly, checking his vital signs and ensuring he was stable.
They gently placed an oxygen mask over his face and checked his responsiveness.
One of the medical staff asked Edward a few questions to assess his condition, while another team member monitored his heartbeat and breathing.
Edward's responses were slow, but he seemed to be regaining some awareness.
The commentators provided updates as the situation unfolded. Michael said, "The medical team is attending to Edward now. It's good to see him starting to wake up. They're making sure everything is alright before any final decision is made."
Daniel added, "The medical staff is always thorough in their checks, and Edward's condition seems to be stable. It's a crucial moment as the judges prepare to make their decision."
Damon watched with a mixture of relief and frustration.
He had given everything in that final round, but the outcome was now out of his hands.
The medical team finished their checks and gave a thumbs-up to the commentators. Michael said, "It's reassuring to see that Edward seems to be in good condition. The medical team has cleared him, and now we await the final decision."
Daniel added, "Edward appears to be stable, which is great news. Now, the judges will decide the outcome of this intense fight."
As the medical team left the cage, Damon saw the judges gathering with the referee and the announcer.
They handed the announcer a piece of paper. The announcer glanced at the paper and then looked at Damon.
Damon's heart sank as he saw the announcer's gaze shift towards him.
The referee and announcer approached the cage. The referee helped Edward to his feet, and Edward walked over to Damon, extending a hand. They pulled each other into a hug.
Damon whispered, "No matter the results, man, you made me fight hard, and I appreciate and respect that. Thank you."
Edward nodded in agreement. "Thank you as well."
The referee, seeing the sportsmanship between the fighters, cleared his throat. "Okay, come on," he said, taking both fighters' hands and guiding them to the center of the cage.
Mr. Steele's eyes were fixed on the monitor, his expression a mix of surprise and intrigue.
He leaned forward, his hands on the table, and said, "Well, I didn't expect this." He stood, and walked closer to the monitor, his eyes scanning the scene.
"With that fight, I should've made you main event," he muttered to himself, a hint of regret in his voice. He shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the screen.
The monitor showed Damon and Edward embracing, their faces filled with respect and admiration for each other.
The announcer stepped forward, holding the piece of paper. He raised his microphone and addressed the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a decision regarding this match."