The second semifinal fight officially started when the bell rang, piercing the tense atmosphere.
The winner would go on to face Brian Walker in the finals.
He got into his usual Muay Thai stance and bounced on the balls of his feet, his chest going up and down with controlled breathes.
His eyes locked onto Kofi, reading every slight movement.
Kofi's physique exuded energy, akin to a coiled spring, as he moved with the promise to burst at any given time.
They circled each other, taking calculated steps, each man trying to measure distance, feel out their opponent's rhythm.
Kofi huffed, his patience already wearing thin.
He wasn't the type to wait.
His strategy had always been clear, come in hard and fast, overwhelm his opponent with sheer power.
The idea of a slow start clearly didn't sit well with him.
He felt Damon was already in control.
So, without warning, Kofi charged in.
His big body moved surprisingly quickly for someone his size, and he came at Damon like an animal.
When Kofi unleashed a vicious overhand right punch that was about to hit Damon with incredible force, his eyes grew wide.
Damon ducked just in time, feeling the air shift as Kofi's punch whizzed over his head.
Kofi followed up with a left hook, this time aimed at Damon's ribs.
However, Damon anticipated it and shifted to avoid it, moving with cautious and flowing steps.
Kofi's strikes were heavy, and each time he swung, it was like he was trying to take Damon's head off.
And maybe he was.
Damon stayed patient, letting Kofi's aggression play into his own strategy.
He knew that Kofi, while explosive, tended to overcommit, and every time he missed, there was an opportunity to strike back.
Kofi threw a barrage of wild punches, jab, cross, hook, all with raw power, but little finesse.
Damon slipped the punches, moving just enough to avoid the blows, his eyes never leaving Kofi's.
Each time Kofi missed, it took just a little more out of him.
Damon waited for his moment.
Finally, Kofi overextended, throwing a heavy uppercut that whizzed past Damon's chin.
Seizing the opportunity, Damon stepped in with a sharp elbow aimed at Kofi's jaw.
Kofi threw a wild hook, and this time, Damon saw his chance.
He fired a quick teep kick aimed at Kofi's midsection.
The kick was fast and accurate, but Kofi managed to catch it with his hands.
For a moment, it looked like Kofi had Damon trapped.
But just as Kofi was about to capitalize on the situation, his grip slipped.
Damon pulled his leg free and escaped, resetting his stance as Kofi stumbled forward.
The crowd murmured as the fighters reset, both men breathing heavily.
Kofi, clearly frustrated now, charged in again, swinging with wild abandon.
Damon, staying composed, ducked and weaved through the storm of punches.
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When the opening presented itself, Damon countered with a sharp elbow that grazed Kofi's temple, followed by a swift kick to the body.
The kick landed hard, and for the first time in the fight, Kofi visibly slowed down.
Damon smirked slightly, knowing he was getting under Kofi's skin.
But he also knew that Kofi was still dangerous, even when he was tired.
One mistake could still cost Damon the fight.
Kofi, breathing heavily, stepped back and reset his stance, his chest heaving as sweat dripped down his face.
Damon kept his eyes locked on him, ready for whatever came next.
The two men circled again.
Kofi huffed and charged in again, but this time, Damon was ready.
He sidestepped Kofi's attack and landed a vicious leg kick that buckled Kofi's knee.
Kofi stumbled, and Damon capitalized with a sharp elbow to the jaw.
Kofi staggered back, his legs wobbling, but he refused to go down.
He swung wildly again, but Damon slipped the punch and landed a brutal knee to the body.
Kofi grunted in pain, but still, he didn't fall.
Damon knew he had to be patient.
One wrong move, and Kofi could still turn the tide.
But for now, Damon was in control, dictating the pace of the fight.
The two men circled again, both knowing that the next exchange could be the one that decides it all.