Damon smiled faintly as the referee lifted his arm high. The crowd roared so loud it drowned out everything else. Camera flashes burst around the ring while the announcer's voice thundered through the speakers.
"THE RONINNNN… DAMON CROOOOSSSSS!"
The sound rolled across the arena like a wave. Fans stood, chanting his name, some screaming, some still in disbelief at how quickly it ended.
"Now that match was faster than anyone expected!" the commentator said over the replay. "Blake Cole has defeated multiple MMA fighters before, but he couldn't stop this one. Damon Cross made it look effortless tonight."
The referee held Damon's wrist a second longer before letting go. Damon stepped back, lowering his gloves as the cheers continued.
He gave a small nod to the crowd, acknowledging them without showboating, then turned to check again on Blake, who was sitting up now with the doctors beside him.
It was done. Damon had said everything he needed to say the moment his glove landed.
