MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 41: The Distance Game

Damon stepped back, his eyes fixed intently on his opponent, Johnny Creed. He took in every detail, from Johnny's compact, muscular build to his short stature.

Damon's mind worked quickly, formulating a strategy to exploit Johnny's limitations.

He decided to maintain a safe distance, utilizing his height advantage to keep Johnny at bay.

Damon adopted a traditional Muay Thai stance, his feet shoulder-width apart, with his left foot forward and his right foot back. He kept his knees slightly bent, his weight evenly distributed between both legs.

His hands were up, with his left hand in front of his left ear and his right hand in front of his right ear. His elbows were close to his body, with his forearms parallel to the ground.

Johnny, on the other hand, took on a classic boxing stance, his feet shoulder-width apart, with his left foot forward and his right foot back.

His hands were up, with his left hand in front of his left ear and his right hand in front of his right ear. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

His elbows were close to his body, with his forearms parallel to the ground.

Michael Bosley, the commentator, spoke in a clear, excited voice, "And there they are, folks! Damon Cross, the debutant, taking on Johnny Creed, the experienced boxer."

"It looks like we have a Muay Thai versus Boxing matchup, which should make for an interesting fight."

Daniel Greene, the co-commentator, nodded in agreement, "That's right, Michael. And looking at Damon's stance, it seems he's planning to utilize his height advantage to keep Johnny at a distance."

The referee, a tall, imposing figure, stood between them, his eyes fixed on both fighters.

The referee pointed on the middle, moving back, signaling the start of the fight.

Damon and Johnny circled each other cautiously. Damon kept his stance wide, his long arms extended, ready to jab at any moment.

He knew he had to keep Johnny at a distance; the shorter fighter was powerful and explosive, likely to charge in with a flurry of punches if given the chance.

Johnny feinted a jab, testing Damon's reactions. Damon didn't bite, keeping his composure and maintaining the gap between them.

He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, their energy buzzing in the air. But he blocked it out, focusing solely on Johnny.

Suddenly, Johnny lunged forward with a fast combination—jab, jab, hook. Damon stepped back swiftly, using his reach to his advantage.

Johnny's punches missed by inches, and Damon countered with a sharp teep kick, his long leg driving into Johnny's midsection. The crowd let out a murmur of approval.

Michael Bosley's voice echoed through the venue, "That was a smart move by Damon, keeping Johnny at bay with that teep kick. He's using his height just as we thought."

Daniel Greene added, "Johnny needs to find a way to close the distance. Damon's reach is going to be a problem if Johnny doesn't get inside."

Johnny wasn't discouraged. He kept moving, slipping to the side and trying to find an opening.

Damon could see the gears turning in Johnny's mind, the way he was constantly analyzing, looking for a weak spot.

Damon jabbed again, quick and sharp, trying to keep Johnny on the outside. Johnny bobbed and weaved, slipping under Damon's reach, and then shot in close.

He landed a solid body shot, the impact vibrating through Damon's ribs.

Damon grunted but kept his composure. He quickly clinched Johnny, using his height to pull him into a knee strike.

PAAAAHHH!!

The crowd gasped as Damon's knee connected with Johnny's torso, but Johnny twisted out of the clinch, stepping back to avoid further damage.

Damon's worked like a machine. Johnny was quick, and he clearly knew what he was doing. Damon needed to stay disciplined, stick to the plan, and not let Johnny draw him into a brawl.

Johnny moved in again, faking a jab and then ducking low, aiming for a takedown. Damon reacted instantly, sprawling his legs out to defend.

He shoved Johnny away, creating space, and then followed up with a stiff right cross. It grazed Johnny's cheek, but the shorter fighter slipped most of the impact.

Johnny bounced back on his feet, unfazed. He was relentless, pressing forward, trying to get inside Damon's range again.

"Damon's doing a great job keeping Johnny at a distance, but Johnny's not making it easy," Michael commented. "This is turning into a real chess match."

Daniel replied, "Yeah, and you can see Johnny's experience here. He's patient, waiting for his moment. Damon needs to stay sharp."

Johnny came at him again, this time with a low kick aimed at Damon's lead leg. Damon checked it with his shin, then fired back with a quick jab and a hard cross.

Johnny dodged, but not fast enough. The cross clipped him, sending him stumbling back a step.

Damon pressed the advantage, stepping forward with a knee to the body, but Johnny slipped out of range just in time.

He countered with a fast hook that caught Damon on the jaw. It wasn't a full-powered shot, but it stung, snapping Damon's head to the side.

Damon shook off the hit, his thoughts focused and clear. He couldn't let Johnny get the upper hand.

He had to keep control of the fight, use his reach, and stay disciplined. Johnny was tough, but Damon knew he was just as capable.

They circled each other again, the tension thick in the air. Damon jabbed, then faked a teep kick, trying to keep Johnny guessing. Johnny was cautious, his eyes locked on Damon, waiting for his chance.

As they closed in again, Damon noticed the fight was heating up, and everyone could sense it.

But Damon wasn't thinking about the crowd. He was thinking about Johnny, about the next move, about staying one step ahead.

Just as Damon threw a low kick, Johnny exploded forward with a sudden flurry of punches, trying to overwhelm him.

Damon's instincts kicked in. He leaned back, using his height to avoid most of the shots, then countered with a swift uppercut.

The uppercut connected cleanly, snapping Johnny's head back.

The crowd erupted, the noise deafening. Johnny staggered but didn't go down, his experience keeping him on his feet.

Michael's voice boomed, "What a shot! Damon just landed a solid uppercut, and Johnny felt that one!"

Daniel added, "But Johnny's still standing! This guy's tough, and Damon needs to keep the pressure on."

Damon's mind was racing, but his body moved on autopilot. He saw the opportunity and went for it, stepping in with a powerful right hook.

Johnny ducked just in time, the punch sailing over his head. Johnny countered with a hook of his own, aiming for Damon's ribs.

The shot connected, and Damon felt the wind rush out of him. He clenched his teeth, trying not to show any pain. He couldn't let Johnny see any weakness. Not now.

They separated again, both fighters breathing heavily.

The shot connected, and Damon felt the wind rush out of him. He clenched his teeth, trying not to show any pain. He couldn't let Johnny see any weakness. Not now.

They separated again, both fighters breathing heavily.

Damon could feel the fight slipping into a rhythm, the back-and-forth of two skilled opponents testing each other, trying to find a crack in the other's defense.

But Damon knew he had to do more than just survive. He had to win. And he had to do it in style.

The quest still lingered in the back of his mind, pushing him to go for a dramatic finish.