Damon had designed a schedule that allowed him to train hard while still being present with his family.
The balance wasn't perfect, but it worked. Mornings were reserved for breakfast and quiet time with Ava and Svetlana.
Afternoons were dedicated to film study, drilling, and conditioning. Evenings shifted depending on the session, some nights were light, others brutal.
But no matter what, Damon made time to be home before Ava fell asleep.
The opponent ahead of him, Ivan, wasn't someone he could prepare for casually.
The deeper he dove into film, the more he respected what he saw. Ivan wasn't flashy. He didn't carry himself like a showman.
But his fights told a different story. His grappling was suffocating. Every transition he made was calculated.
There was no wasted motion, no frantic scrambling, just methodical progression and positional control. He didn't chase finishes recklessly.
