Enough Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Two days later I received a call from Leonel Chacon. The number two contender had a training accident and tore his Achilles tendon. He would be out indefinitely and not able to fight in six weeks for the world title. The champions manager had reach out to Leonel and offered me the fight. Leonel admitted he didn’t think I was ready yet but if I did suffer a few losses to lower ranked fighters, I might never get a chance to fight for the title again. It was a huge gamble but if I got lucky who knows. Of course, I had to fly back to Brazil to work on my striking if I was to have any chance. I asked him to give me a day or two to think about it.

That morning, Jennifer Thomas called me on the way to the gym. She wanted to talk to me about Lexie’s proposal so to speak the night before. I told her my reasons for saying no but Jennifer pleaded that Lexie had realized her mistake. That if I tried again, it would be much different this time. I told Jennifer that I would think about it, but I was contemplating taking another fight. This one would be for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship of the World. Not that I had any ideas of winning it, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I told her I would probably be leaving for Brazil in a few days.

I called Tabby that night and explained that I was indeed going to take the fight. I would be leaving for Brazil early the next morning. She wished me well and she made me promise I would be as careful as possible.

For the next five weeks, I worked with some of the best strikers in the world. I was taught how to punch and how to use my legs at a much more effective level. My kicks were still a work in progress, but my punching had vastly improved. I was much quicker and hitting harder than ever. Leonel Chacon and I, along with three of his people once again boarded the flight for Las Vegas.

Kali “Kryptonite” Boaz had been the world champion for over fourteen months. He was an impressive opponent who wasted no time in the ring. Of his thirty-two wins twenty-five were in the first round and only one of his fights had gone to a decision. Boaz weighed in at 194.6 pounds and I was at my normal 203.1 pounds. We each answered a few questions then went back to our respective hotels.

The next evening, I was on my way to the arena when Tabby called me on the phone. She told me that the whole town was buzzing about the fight and that she would be at her parents to watch it once again. We talked for a few minutes, but I was too wound up to really make good conversation.

Since we were the main event, we had the last fight of the evening. I walked to the ring with my group to a light smattering of applause.

“Fighting out of Dallas, Texas at six foot, 203.1 pounds and a record of two wins and no losses……. Chris Williams.”, the announcer shouted as I climbed into the ring.

“And approaching the ring now, the Light Heavy Weight Champion of the World…… weighing in at 194.6 pounds and standing five foot eleven inches……. Kali “Kryptonite” Boaz.”, he screamed.

The fight started much as the other two did. Obviously, there was little footage of me fighting so I am sure Boaz knew I wanted to go to the ground. He was an accomplished fighter so grappling on the mat did not bother him. About halfway through the first round, he hit me with a good combination but seconds later I hit him hard with a right hand that definitely surprised him. We had gone down twice in the first round, but no one gained an advantage. The bell rang ending round one.

I had been hit several times in the first round, but I had survived it. There was no doubt he had won round one but honestly that was expected, at least by me. He began to press harder in the second round attacking more with punches and leg strikes. I landed a few decent punches but none that did any real damage. We were hallway through the second round when he threw a wicked leg kick that hit me just above my left knee. I felt something in my knee pop on the impact and felt an instant burning pain. I tried to move forward but couldn’t put the full weight of my body on the leg. Boaz immediately sensed it.

He moved forward and hit another foot strike to my left leg, but it was higher on my upper thigh but still caused damage. He immediately tried a third strike but left himself opened for a brief moment. I was able to get a front head lock on him and really cinch it in well. He threw several punches to my kidney area, so I really leaned all my back on his back. I then took my right leg and struck him on his left knee causing him to fall on his face. I now had him face down with a choking maneuver applied to his neck. But from my position, I had no chance at getting into a submission hold. If I tried to move around his body, he might be able to break the hold. I decided to stay with the hold I had and put as much of my body weight on him as I could. I was going to try and wear him down. For the next few minutes, I squeezed his neck as hard as possible and put my full weight on his back. For the first minute or so he attempted punches and rolls to try and get out. The more assertion he used the better for me. When the bell ended the second round, I released him and got up. Boaz was slow to get up, the hold had taken a lot of his energy.

I slightly hobbled to my corner and sat down on the stool. Leonel knelt it front of me and began feeling the knee area. He said it felt normal, but he couldn’t really be sure. I told him I could go one round or at least I thought I could.

The third round started and for the first time Boaz wasn’t pressing as much. I moved forward throwing a few punches several of which landed. He threw two more kicks to my leg, but I was able to tolerate them. He then threw a big right hand which grazed my forehead. I was able to throw a left hand which caught him in his right eye socket. He stepped back awkwardly so I threw a right hand which caught him squarely on his left cheek. He stepped backward and fell to the canvas on his side. I quickly dove on him and wrapped his left leg between mine. I put my weight on him and took my right hand and locked his knee with it. I then grabbed his lower leg and began to push it with my other hand in an unnatural position. The referee jumped down to the mat and began asking him if he wanted to quit. He kept saying no but I felt confident, I had him. I pushed with every bit of strength I had and heard his bone break, and his leg went limp. Before the referee could respond, I released the hold and rolled off him. He was holding his head with his hands rocking back and forth on the mat. The referee immediately summoned his corner in and waved his hands calling off the match. He grabbed my hand and held it in the air as the crowd applauded. I limped over to my corner and sat down on the stool as Leonel and the trainers began to work on me. The doctor and Boaz’s corner worked him for several minutes before getting him out of the ring quickly for treatment. The referee summoned me to the middle of the ring. The announcer took the microphone in his hand.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, at three minutes fifty-six seconds in the third round, we have a winner by submission. Fighting out of Dallas, Texas, and new Light Heavy Weight Champion of the World……. Chris Williams”, he shouted.

The referee handed me the championship belt which appeared to be gold with a leather strap. I put the belt over my shoulder as he once again raised my hand. My knee was killing me, so I walked with Leonel and the trainers out of the ring and into my dressing room.