As the van pulled into the gym lot, Damon stepped out first.
He walked straight to the front entrance, pushing the door open without waiting for the team.
His assistant coaches were already inside, stretching mats, checking gloves, and laying out water bottles.
The cage sat in the center of the floor.
The fighters came in behind him, all eight of them, bags over their shoulders. Damon didn't waste time.
"Drop your stuff, wrap your hands, and line up," he said. "We're going straight to sparring. I need to see what I'm working with."
No one questioned it. They moved quickly, gearing up and standing in front of him as instructed. Damon looked at the lightweights first.
He pointed to Ronny. "You're with Max."
Then to the other two. "Ayo, you're going with Kenji."
He stepped back and looked them all over again.
