MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Damon looked at Joey, who raised an eyebrow, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You gonna accept?" Joey asked, his tone half-serious, half-teasing.

Damon shook his head firmly, the decision already made in his mind. "No. I've got everything planned for Ireland. If I'm right, this tournament is going to take at least a couple of months. That's where my focus needs to be."

Joey chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Man, you just walked away from a stupid amount of money. But I get it."

"Yeah, probably," Damon admitted, a faint smirk on his lips. "But money's not everything. Winning the World MMA Tournament is worth way more to me than fighting some guy who doesn't add anything to my career."

Joey nodded, his respect for Damon's priorities evident. "Makes sense."

Damon shifted the conversation, his tone turning serious. "So about the World MMA Tournament… we're sticking to the plan, right? Announce it after I qualify."

"Yeah, for sure," Joey said. "Build the suspense, let the fans wonder. Once you're in, we drop the news, and it's gonna blow up."

Damon nodded in agreement, the call-out already fading from his mind.

Dale Cole's antics weren't his priority, and the idea of stepping away from his focus for a quick payday didn't sit right with him.

He had bigger goals, and he wasn't about to let distractions pull him away from them.

He understood, though.

Joey's reaction, and even Dale Cole's challenge, hinted at how much money was being dangled in front of him.

But for Damon, it wasn't about the money, not yet, at least. Legacy, growth, and victory were his driving forces.

He had money.

It wasn't that he didn't want more, who wouldn't?but the system had already put him comfortably in the eight-figure range.

Financially, he was secure, and that gave him the freedom to make decisions based on his goals, not desperation.

But beyond all that, Damon knew one thing for sure: winning this tournament would skyrocket his value.

The moment he claimed victory, an instant negotiation with the UFA would be on the table. His earnings would soar, even before he captured a championship belt.

The tournament was a long-term investment in his career.

And whether it was Dale Cole or anyone else trying to feed off his rising momentum, Damon understood the power of leverage.

If they wanted a piece of his spotlight, they'd have to pay big money to convince him

After all, his worth wasn't just in his record, it was in the future he was building, step by step.

Joey switched the topic with a smirk. "Anyway, enough about this. How are you and Svetlana doing?"

Damon smiled, a subtle but unmistakable sign of contentment.

Joey laughed, shaking his head. "Man, look at that smile. You don't even have to say anything, it's written all over your face."

Damon nodded, his voice calm and steady. "Pretty well. Things are good."

Joey leaned forward, his tone suddenly lighter but carrying a hint of playfulness. "Alright, that's good. You two look happy. Actually… I need your advice."

Damon raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Advice? About what?"

Seeing Joey's expression shift to something more serious, Damon leaned in slightly. Whatever Joey was about to ask, it seemed important. "What's on your mind?" he asked, ready to listen.

Joey sighed, his voice lowering as he leaned on the counter. "I've been thinking if this place is a good place to raise my son."

Damon tilted his head slightly, watching Joey carefully.

"I don't know, man," Joey continued. "I want something that's peaceful and homey. I want him to grow up with other kids around, you know? Like… a real neighborhood where he can run around, make friends, and just have a good childhood." Your adventure continues at empire

Damon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I get it," he said simply. "Makes sense to want that kind of environment for your family."

Joey looked up at him, searching for confirmation. "You don't think it's crazy, right? To want to move out somewhere quieter?"

Damon shook his head. "Not at all. It sounds like you're thinking about what's best for him, and for you and Ashley, too."

Joey exhaled, relieved to hear Damon's agreement. "Yeah. I just want him to have a shot at a normal, happy life, you know? Not be stuck in the middle of all this noise and chaos."

Damon offered a small smile. "There's nothing wrong with that, Joey. A peaceful home can make all the difference."

Joey smiled, shaking his head with a chuckle. "I don't even know why I asked that, it was a no-brainer."

Damon returned the smile but leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Understandable. But I've got a question of my own."

Joey turned toward him, intrigued. "Alright, hit me."

Damon hesitated, his hands clasping together briefly before he began. "You know me and Lana have known each other for more than two years now, and we've been dating for over a year."

Joey nodded, sensing there was more coming.

"She's been amazing to me, Joey. I mean, truly. And… I want to take the next step."

Joey's eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face. "Man, are you serious? That's huge!" He paused, leaning closer. "Wait, have you talked to Victor yet?"

Damon shook his head, exhaling deeply. "No, not yet. I've talked to her mom, though."

Joey blinked, surprised. "But Victor?"

Damon shrugged, looking away briefly. "I don't know how to bring it up to him. It's not that I think he'd say no, it's just… it's Victor, you know?"

Joey laughed softly, patting Damon on the shoulder. "Dude, you're overthinking this. Victor loves you, man. Trust me, he'd probably be thrilled. He sees you as family already, and you've proven yourself to him a hundred times over."

Damon smiled and finished up his glass of water, setting it down with a light clink.

"Yeah, just some dumb nerves," he admitted with a chuckle, pushing his chair back to stand up. "Alright, Joey, I think I've gotta head out. Still need to swing by my mom's place. She just got back from her trip, so I want to catch up with her."

Joey nodded, standing as well. "That's cool. Just drop me off at home on the way."

Damon raised an eyebrow, smirking as he looked at his friend. "Why haven't you bought a car yet, Joey? Seriously." His tone was light, but the roast was intentional.

Joey shrugged nonchalantly, grinning. "Don't need one yet," he said jokingly. "Plus, why bother when I've got you to drive me around?"

Damon shook his head, laughing as they headed toward the door. "Cheap."

Joey just laughed, clapping him on the back as they stepped out into the fresh air.