Damon reset his stance, shoulders rising and falling with his breath. The Eye was gone, and the fight had shifted.
He moved laterally, shaking out his arms and trying to get his rhythm back.
Across from him, PDD pushed forward. He knew the flying knee hadn't landed clean, and he knew Damon's balance had been off for just a second.
That moment might not come again. He made the choice to press.
He jabbed forward, then followed with a looping right. Damon blocked it, took a half step back, and absorbed a glancing left to the side of the head, not clean, but enough to feel.
Damon didn't panic.
He planted his feet and stepped into the pressure.
He let PDD get too close, inviting the contact. As PDD swung again, Damon ducked under the punch and closed the distance.
He locked his arms tight around the body and secured a double collar tie, head position solid, hips close.
Now in the clinch, he took control.
