Both teams were currently deep in training, pushing themselves to their limits.
It had been a day since the big announcement of Damon vs. Logan.
Since that moment, the atmosphere in the house had shifted drastically.
Even though the tension was apparent, no physical altercations had broken out... yet.
It was like a pressure cooker waiting to explode.
Both Team Whittier and Team Chemasov had kept their focus on the upcoming fight.
Damon stayed quiet, focused on his preparation.
He was more driven now than ever, locking in on the upcoming bout like a laser.
Logan, on the other hand, carried himself with a cocky confidence that was starting to get under the skin of those around him.
He talked a lot, always mentioning how he was going to "smash Damon", courtesy of Belam.
His trash talk didn't sit well with a lot of people, but he was putting in the work during training, and that made his confidence dangerous.
In the training room.
Damon stood in the center, gloves off, ready to drill, while across from him stood one of Whittier's training team members, a seasoned wrestler with years of grappling experience.
He had helped Whittier through learning and avoiding any wrestling moves.
Whittier had made the call to focus on wrestling defense, especially given the unknowns surrounding Logan's fighting style.
But with Balim Chemasov as his coach, they had to assume wrestling would play a major role in Logan's strategy.
Damon's Muay Thai was solid, his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was strong, but there was a gap when it came to defending against takedowns.
That was about to change.
"Alright, Damon, listen up," Whittier's voice cut through the background noise of the gym. "We're gonna drill the basics first, how to sprawl and defend against a single-leg and double-leg takedown. Logan might try to shoot on you, especially if he knows you're a striker. We're not giving him that chance."
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Damon nodded, and as he stood across from the wrestler, sweat was already running down his forehead.
The rest of the team watched from the sides, knowing they'd soon get their own turn in the wrestling defense drill.
"Perfect!" Whittier called out from the side, clapping his hands. "Now, you're getting it."
The rest of the team watched closely, their turn coming up next, but all eyes were on Damon. His focus was laser-sharp, and it showed.
For the next round, Whittier called for something different. "Damon, I want you to try the takedown now. Let's see you shoot in and mix it up."
Damon, more comfortable in striking than wrestling, hesitated for a second but quickly nodded.
He squared up with the wrestler, ready to attempt the takedown.
"Remember, get low and fast," Whittier instructed. "Shoot in and drive with your legs, not just your arms."
Damon moved in, lowering his level and shooting for the legs.
His form was still a bit rough, but he managed to get a grip on the wrestler's legs.
He drove forward, taking the wrestler down onto the mat with a grunt.
"Good! But faster next time. Wrestling is all about speed and timing," Whittier said, his voice encouraging but firm.
They continued the drill, alternating between takedown defense and takedown attempts.
Damon was improving with each round, his instincts kicking in more naturally now.
As the session continued, the rest of the team rotated in, each fighter taking turns defending against takedowns.
It was clear that Whittier wanted his whole team prepared for what might come in their fights.
Whether they were strikers or grapplers, everyone was learning how to defend and initiate takedowns.
For Damon, this was a crucial part of his training.
He knew that Logan's wrestling might be strong, but now, with Whittier's help, he felt more confident in his ability to handle whatever came his way.
With each round, Damon's defense became sharper, his reactions faster.
The sparring wasn't just a lesson in wrestling, it was a test of his adaptability.
Whittier's voice cut through the noise once more. "Alright, let's take a break. Good work, Damon. We'll keep drilling this, but you're getting there. Keep that same focus."
Damon wiped the sweat from his face, feeling the burn in his muscles but also the satisfaction of progress.
He knew there was still a lot to work on, but with each session, he was getting closer to becoming a more well-rounded fighter.