MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Grappling with Uncertainty

Damon's eyes scanned the screen, his gaze lingering on the recommended martial arts for grappling and groundwork. He was stuck.

He looked at wrestling, his brow furrowed in skepticism. "Wasn't wrestling fake?" he wondered, his voice barely above a whisper.

He clamped his hand over his mouth, remembering that his mother was sleeping just a few feet away.

Damon's stomach growled, a gentle protest against the meager meal they had shared earlier.

He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs.

Wrestling being fake, he wondered, but he was sure the System wouldn't recommend something useless.

They wouldn't give him a fake martial art. He looked at Sambo, his eyes narrowing as he considered the option.

It seemed intriguing, but something inside him told him to pick the first one, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Maybe it was his gut feeling. He didn't know why. Maybe because he chose the first martial art for striking on the list, he should do the same with grappling and groundwork. The thought echoed in his mind like a mantra, urging him to make a decision.

Damon's fingers hovered over the screen, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath.

Damon made his choice with some worry in his heart. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu A new message showed up after the screen flickered.

He got very excited when he read the confirmation.

He had made up his mind.

He could no longer do anything but wait and see what would happen.

Damon's head throbbed again, the familiar ache spreading through his skull like a dull hum. He gritted his teeth, bracing himself against the discomfort.

Though it was slightly less intense than before, the sensation still made his eyes water.

He closed them, taking slow, deep breaths as the memories poured into his brain like a steady stream.

The basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu imprinted on his mind, each technique and concept etching itself into his consciousness.

He felt like a sponge, soaking up the knowledge, but struggling to retain it all.

The pain subsided, leaving behind a dull, fuzzy feeling, like the echoes of a distant bell.

Damon leaned back, his head hitting the bin with a soft thud.

He winced, the sound echoing through the alley like a small crack.

A small, subtle smile played on his mouth.

He didn't know how to execute these moves, but he was determined to learn.

The knowledge was there, locked in his mind like a book of moves, but he lacked the physical ability to perform them.

It was like having a recipe without the ingredients or a map without a destination.

But Damon was undeterred. He knew that with practice, he could master these techniques and start winning those backyard tournaments.

The thought sent a surge of excitement through him, followed by a wave of exhaustion.

He looked at his mom, her peaceful face illuminated by the faint light of the alley. He mumbled, his voice barely audible, "I'll do it for mum." These words, a promise to both himself and her.

Damon took a deep breath and felt the weight of his choice fall on his shoulders.

Responsibility.

As he was about to relax and rest his eyes, another message appeared on the screen.

Damon's gaze snapped back to the display, his mind racing with the new information.

[Martial arts have been chosen, host is free to learn any additional martial arts themselves, and the system will focus on the two chosen, which are Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]

He nodded, understanding, feeling gratitude towards the system.

He was already grateful enough to have a "cheat" that could help him learn faster, and now he had the freedom to explore other martial arts on his own.

[Information has been processed, and martial arts have been synchronized with the training]

Damon's eyes narrowed, his mind foggy with fatigue. What training? He was already tired and wanted to sleep, his body craving rest after the intense mental upload.

But before he could even process the thought, another message flashed on the screen.

[Daily Challenge has been issued]

Damon's heart skipped a beat as he read the words.

[4 hours left before midnight, complete today's exercise challenge, failure to complete - Electronic death shock]

His eyes widened in shock, the words slamming into him like a physical blow. What the hell? Electronic death shock? That sounded like something out of a sci-fi horror movie.

Damon's mind reeled as he tried to process the information, his heart racing with fear. He was already tired, and now he had to complete some kind of exercise challenge or face...what? Death?

He thought about the training, his mind still reeling from the previous message. When the screen flickered to life again, he was ready.

[Focusing on one martial art per week is more beneficial, which martial art do you want to start with]

Damon didn't hesitate, his mind already made up.

[Muay Thai / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]

He chose Muay Thai, his fingers flying across the screen.

It contained punches and kicks, the fundamental building blocks of any fighter's arsenal.

He needed to master these basics before moving on to more complex techniques.

[Muay Thai has been chosen]

The screen flashed, confirming his selection. Damon felt a surge of excitement, his heart racing with anticipation.

[Training plan dedicated to Muay Thai produced]

The words appeared on the screen, followed by a detailed schedule.

[Daily challenge until fight day]

[EMMAC Mission]

The title seemed ominous, but Damon was undaunted.

[Saturday

- 10 minutes jog (COMPLETED)

- 10 push-ups, sit-ups, squats.

- Shadow boxing 3 rounds of 3 minutes each.

- Basic strikes (punches, elbows, knees, and kicks)]