MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 459 Beneath the London Sky

They stood together on the rooftop, the city of London stretching out before them, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights and distant neon signs.

The sky was a deep shade of blue, speckled with stars barely visible through the city's haze.

The air was crisp but comfortable, a gentle breeze brushing against them as they leaned against the glass railing.

Damon turned to Svetlana, her silhouette illuminated by the soft lighting around them. He reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. She looked up at him, her expression calm, her eyes reflecting the city lights.

"I know I've been busy a lot," he began, his voice steady but sincere. "And I know you put your own business on hold just to be here for me." He squeezed her hand gently. "I really appreciate that. I want you to know that."

Svetlana blinked, her lips parting slightly as she processed his words. For all the moments they had shared, it was rare for Damon to openly express himself like this.

"I never needed a thank you," she said softly.

"I know," he admitted, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "But I need to say it."

She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You're not just saying this because you feel guilty, right?"

Damon exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "No. I'm saying it because I mean it. You didn't have to come with me, didn't have to put your life on pause just to stand in my corner. But you did. And I don't take that for granted."

Svetlana's gaze softened, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'd do it again, you know."

Damon smirked. "I don't doubt that."

The city buzzed below them, the faint sound of traffic and distant laughter reaching their ears. But up here, it felt like they were in their own world, separate from everything else.

Svetlana leaned her head against his shoulder, and he instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

"You know," she murmured, "you're really bad at taking breaks."

Damon chuckled. "Yeah. But you make me want to."

She looked up at him again, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. There was something in the air between them, something that didn't need words to be understood.

Then, without another thought, Damon leaned down, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against her lips. Svetlana responded instantly, her fingers curling around his jacket, holding onto him as if grounding herself in the moment.

But that didn't stop him from breaking into the Top 10.

He wasn't the first fighter to do it without a belt, there had been others before him. But each of them had been undeniable forces, fighters who dominated in ways that made titles feel like a formality.

Now, Damon Cross had joined that rare list of names.

Rank #6.

The moment the rankings dropped, the internet went wild.

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Chirper Posts:

@MMAInsider: "Damon Cross just entered the P4P Top 10 at #6, without a title. This man is moving differently."

@FightStatsHQ: "A rare sight in MMA: A fighter in the Top 10 P4P with no belt. Damon Cross is the real deal."

@ChampionsOnly: "It's not unheard of, but it's rare. Damon Cross joins the elite few who've cracked the P4P list without a title. What happens when he actually wins one?"

@TheMMAView: "Cross is #6. If he had a belt right now, he'd probably be Top 3."

@FanPageCross: "Damon Cross is making history before even touching gold. This is different."

Not everyone was celebrating. Some of the fighters ranked below Damon, or even some champions, weren't happy about the decision.

A reigning champion from another division posted: "P4P used to mean something. How you rank above champions without a belt?"

A former title challenger: "I had to win a title just to get close to Top 10. Damon's just knocking off champions and skipping the whole process."

James Jonas: "Nothing new. If you're good enough, you don't need a belt to prove it. Cross has been running through top guys. That's all that matters."

Dale Cole (Influencer boxer & MMA fighter): "Yeah, yeah, rankings are politics, whatever. But let's be real, who's beating him right now?"

RonanBlack: James Jonas to the best in the world, he is P4P #1