Recalling a little bit of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Damon pushed Tim inside out of reflex, keeping him from getting the leverage he required to land a blow.
Tim grunted in frustration, his attempts to break free becoming more aggressive.
Damon's mind raced. He knew he had the knowledge, and the EMMAC System had provided him with the Guillotine Choke technique.
But knowing it and executing it in the heat of the moment were two very different things.
He had to time it perfectly, or Tim would slip away and gain the upper hand.
Tim suddenly shifted his weight, trying to pass Damon's guard.
Damon felt the pressure on his hips, and in a split second, he knew this was the moment.
As Tim moved to his side, Damon quickly wrapped his arms around Tim's neck, locking in the Guillotine Choke.
Damon's heart pounded as he tightened the grip, pulling Tim's head down toward his chest.
Tim immediately realized the danger and thrashed wildly, trying to escape.
Damon squeezed harder, every muscle in his body screaming in protest as he fought to maintain the hold.
For a moment, it seemed like Tim might break free. He used his strength to push against Damon's arms, creating just enough space to breathe.
Damon felt the choke loosening, and panic surged through him. But he couldn't afford to let go. He had to commit fully to the move.
With a burst of effort, Damon adjusted his position, shifting his hips to increase the pressure.
He arched his back, pulling Tim's neck tighter into the choke. Tim's movements became more frantic, his arms flailing as he tried to pry Damon's hands off. But Damon held firm, focusing all his energy on the Guillotine.
Tim's breathing became ragged, the strain evident in his eyes. Damon could feel the desperation in Tim's attempts to escape, but he knew he had the advantage now. The choke was in deep, and Tim was running out of options.
Suddenly, Tim managed to slip his arm between Damon's and his own neck, alleviating some of the pressure.
Damon cursed under his breath, feeling the grip weaken. Tim began to push up, trying to gain the upper hand once again.
But Damon wasn't done yet. He twisted his body, pulling Tim off balance and tightening the choke again.
This time, Damon adjusted his grip, threading his arm deeper under Tim's neck. The choke was fully locked in now, and Damon could feel the fight leaving Tim's body.
Tim's struggles grew weaker, his movements less coordinated as the oxygen supply to his brain was cut off.
Damon knew he was close. He arched his back one final time, applying maximum pressure. Tim's resistance faded, his arms dropping limply to the side.
Damon could barely hear the crowd over the sound of his own heartbeat, but he knew they were there, witnessing the moment.
He tightened the choke for a few more seconds, ensuring that Tim was fully subdued.
And then, with a final gasp, Tim's body went slack, the fight drained out of him. Damon held the choke for another heartbeat, just to be sure, before finally releasing his grip.
As Damon slowly rose to his feet, the crowd's collective gaze followed him, their eyes wide with a mix of shock and awe.
Each person turned to their neighbors, seeking answers, but none came. Instead, they were met with equally bewildered expressions.
"What the hell just happened?" someone whispered, their voice barely audible over the sound of their own ragged breathing.
Joey, still standing beside the cage, wore a look of utter bewilderment, his smile frozen in place. "I think we just got our first submission," he stammered.
The crowd's murmurs grew louder, a cacophony of disbelief and excitement. Some people shook their heads, trying to process what they had just witnessed. Others nodded, a slow grin spreading across their faces.
The smell of sweat and adrenaline was heavy over the scene, mingling with the sweet scent of victory. The sun beat down on the crowd, casting long shadows across the lawn.
As the reality of the situation sunk in, the crowd's cheers grew louder, a deafening roar that threatened to engulf everything in its path.
Joey dashed into the makeshift cage, his smile radiant as he raised his hand in a triumphant gesture.
He was followed by a few people carrying a bucket of water, which they promptly poured over Tim's limp form.
The cold liquid splashed onto Tim's face, sending shockwaves through his body. He jolted awake, his eyes wide with confusion.
"What happened?" Tim stammered, his voice laced with disorientation.
He looked around, taking in the concerned faces surrounding him. Damon stood tall, a mixture of relief and amusement etched on his face.
Damon thought to himself, "It seems he forgot he was even fighting." The realization was almost comical. Tim's confusion was palpable, his eyes darting between Damon and the others as if searching for answers.
As Tim struggled to sit up, the water dripping from his hair and face, Damon couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
He had won the fight, and Tim's confusion only added to the sweetness of victory.
Joey's smile stretched wide as he clapped Damon on the back. "Good job, bro! You're a natural!"
Damon's eyes dropped, his fingers scratching the back of his head. "Just learned a few things on my own, you know? Had to."
Joey's gaze lingered, his expression thoughtful. Then, he nodded and turned to face the crowd. "Alright, folks! The event's wrapped up, and we've got a winner!"
His voice rose, booming across the makeshift arena. "THE EVENT HAS ENDED, MATCHES FINISH, NOW TO ANNOUNCE YOUR WINNER... DAAAAAMOOONN!!"
The crowd's response was immediate, a deafening roar that sent Damon's heart racing.
Cheers and applause thundered through the air, hands slapping together in a frenzied rhythm. Damon's face split into a wide grin, his arms shooting up in triumph.
Joey grabbed his hand, pumping it in congratulations. "Congrats, man! You earned it!"
As Damon basked in the adoration of the crowd, he felt a sense of validation wash over him. The noise swirled around him. People shouted his name, whistled, and stomped their feet.
Damon's chest swelled with pride, his eyes shining with a mix of excitement and relief.
'I could get used to this'