A week and a half had passed since that historic night. Since Damon stood at the center of the cage with the World MMA Middleweight Championship wrapped around his waist
Since his name was shouted across the globe, and the world recognized what many had already known, he was that fighter.
In those days after, his phone had barely been silent. Calls, messages, and endless notifications lit it up from morning until night.
Some were the expected congratulations from sponsors and people who suddenly wanted to align with his name. Others came from fellow fighters, some who had been in the trenches with him, and others who had just earned his respect from afar.
But the ones that mattered? Those were different.
His mother's call came the day after the fight. Aoife.
It was one of the most emotional conversations he'd had in years.
She was happy, so happy, but there was guilt in her voice, and Damon heard it immediately.
She apologized more than she congratulated.
