Chapter 120: Chapter 120: The Coaches
The fighters lined up in a straight row, shoulder to shoulder, their eyes scanning the room, waiting.
Each of them stood still, some adjusting their stances, others rolling their shoulders to ease the tension.
The sound of shuffling feet filled the space as a few fighters whispered among themselves, their voices low, barely audible.
Damon kept his gaze forward, his mind focused on what was coming next.
He could hear the occasional murmurs from the fighters next to him, but he stayed quiet.
There was no point in guessing now, they'd all find out soon enough.
The line of fighters was smaller now, only 16 of them left.
Those who didn't make it had already left the arena, their journey in The Supreme Fighter over.
But for those still standing, the next step was told, the coaches would soon come out and begin picking their teams.
Eight fighters on each side.
Damon shifted his weight slightly, feeling the firmness of the floor beneath his feet.
His breathing was steady, but his chest felt tight with the pressure of the moment.
He glanced to his left and saw one of the fighters clenching his fists, his knuckles white.
To his right, another fighter bounced lightly on his toes, his eyes darting around the room, full of energy.
For now, though, all they could do was wait.
But...
They didn't have to wait long.
Stephen stepped forward, his voice commanding the room. "Okay, let's introduce the first coach."
All eyes snapped to the entrance as tall man strode in.
His presence alone was enough to send a wave of tension through the fighters.
Towering and broad-shouldered, He had had a lean, wiry frame packed with coiled muscle.
His close-cropped dark hair framed a chiseled face, with a thick beard that accentuated his sharp jawline.
His piercing eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the fighters with the intensity of a man who knew only victory.
His cauliflower ears and scarred knuckles told the story of countless battles, each one reinforcing his undefeated status.
He wore a plain black hoodie, the kind you'd expect from someone who lived and breathed the fight game, with an air of confidence that felt unshakable.
The room went silent.
This wasn't just any fighter, this was Balim Chemasov, the man who had crushed every opponent, feared for his relentless aggression and incredible strength.
Everyone stared at him, realizing they were standing in the presence of a modern rising legend.
Balim gave them a brief nod, his expression unreadable, before offering a small greeting. The fighters exchanged uncertain glances.
Stephen spoke again, cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "And now, the second coach."
The door opened once more, and in stepped another man. His presence was immediately recognizable.
Built like a coiled spring, his muscular frame moved with the confidence of a seasoned veteran.
His face, clean-shaven, revealed a strong jaw and a pair of kind yet focused eyes that carried the weight of countless battles.
His dark brown hair, cropped close on the sides but longer on top, gave him a sharp, disciplined look.
He wore a gray T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, casual but fitting for someone who knew exactly what he was doing.
Despite his approachable demeanor, there was a certain intensity in the way he held himself, a man who had walked through wars and emerged stronger every time.
The fighters stared, just as shocked as they had been with Balim's entrance.
Donald Whittier wasn't just another name either. He was the kind of fighter who had faced the best in the world and proven himself time and time again.
A former UFA Middleweight Champion.
Donald gave a slight smile, more relaxed than Balim but no less formidable. He nodded to the fighters, his eyes locking with each one for a moment.
Stephen smiled, clearly pleased as he watched the fighters' reactions.
This was exactly the kind of response the UFA had hoped for.
With every contestant staring in awe at the two titans who had just entered.
If the fighters were this shaken, Stephen could only imagine the media frenzy, the fan excitement.
Balim Chemasov and Donald Whittier, together as opposing coaches, it was a dream match for any fight fan, and the shock on the contestants' faces was proof enough that the UFA had set the stage perfectly.
Stephen knew this season would be one for the history books.
The reaction from fans was immediate and wild, flooding Chirper in real-time as post after post rolled in, faster than anyone could keep up.
@FightFanatic24:
"Yo! BALIM CHEMASOV and DONALD WHITTIER as coaches?!? This season's gonna be INSANE! #TeamChemasov all the way!"
@MMAAddict69:
"Bro, Who let Ronen Black cook?! I'm screaming!!! #GOATVsGOAT"
@CasualFighter101:
"Donald Whittier's cool and all, but Chemasov is gonna eat this man for breakfast. Sorry, not sorry. 😂 #TeamBalim"
@Aricthemanaric:
"Whittier looks like he just walked off a modeling shoot while Balim looks like he fought a bear and won. I know which team I'm picking. 🐻💥 #TeamBalim"
@TheRealRonenBlack:
" If you put 100 fighters in a room only James Jonas is coming out #PFP #IloveJonas"
@WhittierNation:
"Are you kidding me with this disrespect? Whittier's gonna outclass Balim with that slick technique. Chemasov fans can cry later. #TeamDonald #RealSkill"
@JustHereForDrama:
"Balim Chemasov vs. Donald Whittier is basically a bear fighting a fridge. I don't know what's happening but I'm here for it. 🐻 vs. 🧊 #UFA"
@NotoriousSkeptic:
"Undefeated? Pfft, Chemasov's fought a bunch of nobodies. Whittier's gonna show him what a real fighter looks like. #Overrated"
@ChemasovCult:
"Donald Whittier is a good fighter. A GOOD fighter. But Balim Chemasov is a FREAKING FORCE OF NATURE. 💀 #TeamBalim #NeverLost"
@ArmchairFighterExpert:
"Chemasov is just muscle and beard. Whittier's technique is on another level. Prepare for an upset, folks! #TeamWhittier"
@MemeLordMMA:
"Damn, everyone here acting as if they're going to fight here. You know Ronan Black won't allow himself to lose money from this fight. #MadnessIncoming"
The posts kept coming, a mix of hype, humor, and heat, as the fanbase went into full-blown meltdown over the announcement.
Everyone had an opinion, and the world was buzzing with anticipation.