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. The doctor had already ordered x-rays of my legs. Within minutes a portable x-ray machine was in my room and pictures were taken. I took a shower and was getting dressed when a second doctor came in. He explained to me that I had a patellar hairline fracture which basically meant my kneecap had a small fracture. He did not believe that it would require surgery but told me upon arriving home go straight to an orthopedic clinic. He strapped on a metal knee brace that would stabilize my knee on the way home.
I parted ways with Leonel Chacon and his guys early the next morning. I had an early flight at ten minutes after eight that morning. I arrived home a little over three hours later. I took a taxi home and arrived at about noon. It was slow going with the knee brace on, but it did give me a lot of support. I called the best orthopedic clinic in town and when I mentioned my name and the injury, they asked me to come in right away. I undressed, took a shower and changed clothes. Since it was my left knee, I should be able to drive with no problem.
It took a bit to get in the car and position my left leg, but I managed it. I pulled out of the driveway and noticed that Tabby’s car was not in her driveway. I drove straight over to the orthopedic clinic and went inside. It’s funny how being on television for any length of time changes everyone’s perspective of you. I walked up to the reception counter and signed in.
I know I had not been in my seat for more than ten minutes when I was called to the back. The nurse ushered me into room two and asked me to take a seat on the stool.
“What are you here for today Mr. Williams?”, she asked.
“I was kicked in the left leg and knee several times last night. They did some pictures at the arena and the doctor there said I had patellar hairline fracture. So here I am.”, I replied.
“You were in a fight last night?”, she asked.
“Yes ma’am, in Las Vegas.”, I answered.
“Oh…. Ok. Well Doctor Hall will be with you in a minute.”, she answered.
She walked out of the room closing the door behind her sliding my chart in the pocket on the door. I guess it was maybe five minutes later when Dr. Hall and the best-looking nurse I had ever seen walked into the room. She had a face that would melt your heart and a body to die for even under the medical scrubs. I quickly noticed no ring on her finger.
“Hello Mr. Williams, took a beating last night huh?’, he asked.
“Yes sir, but not as bad as the last time.”, I laughed.
“Jump up on this table here and Nikki will take that brace off. Take the jeans off so I can look at your knee. I’ll be right back.”, he said, walking out.
I got up and moved to the table then sat down. I extended my left leg so that the nurse could remove the brace. Once I was in position, she slowly began to remove the straps that held the brace in place. Once off she turned and set it on the chair I had been sitting on.
“I can leave so you can remove your pants or help you. It’s up to you.”, she said, smiling.
“You can help.”, I replied.
I stood up and unbuttoned my jeans pulling the zipper down. I then sat back on the exam table and extended my legs. Nikki slowly worked my jeans off being careful of my knee which had swelled up again. I was sitting there for a couple of minutes when Dr. Hall walked back in. He grabbed a stool and wheel it over to me. He then began to push and pull on my knee causing me to jump every now and then.
“It seems everything is in place, but we need some x-rays to be sure. I’m going to send in a wheelchair and take you to imaging down the hall. Nikki get him a gown to place over his legs.”, he ordered, walking back out.
A while later, another nurse came in with a wheelchair. Nikki repeated the doctor’s orders and asked that I be returned to this room when done. They both helped me into the chair, and I was wheel to the other end of the complex. I was wheeled into a room where a female technician was waiting.
She quickly took several pictures of my left leg then I was wheeled back to the original room I has been in. About fifteen minutes later, Dr. Hall and his nurse Mandy reappeared.
“Ok Chris, the pictures confirmed the diagnosis from last night. Everything is in place, but you have a small vertical fracture on the inside of the patella. I don’t feel you need surgery now; it should heel on its own. If you continue to fight you may reinjure it but as of now, you’re ok. I’m going to drain some fluid off your knee and put you in a lighter brace. I’m going to give you crutches as well. I want no pressure on that knee for at least two weeks until I see you again.”, he ordered.
“Yes sir.”, I replied.
He took a huge syringe and drained quit a bit of fluid from my knee then wrapped it in a spandex bandage. He left and returned with a pre***********ion for a mild pain pill in case it would give me trouble. A few minutes later, Nikki returned with a lightweight brace and put it on my knee. The crutches were given to me and adjust by the technician. By the time I made my way to the discharge counter to pay, several of the nurses had assembled.
“Would you mind taking a picture with a few of us?”, Nikki asked.
“No, not at all.”, I replied.
I took five pictures with various nurses and one tech before I paid my bill. The technician made sure I got to my car and got in without incident. As I was driving home Jennifer and Jim Thomas’ house was near, so I swung by, but no car was in the driveway. I then drove home and got comfortable on the sofa turning the television on. I was midway through a movie when I heard a knock of the side door. I turned my head and shout “come in”, hoping the person would hear me. Thankfully the door open and I heard footsteps approaching me. I turned to see Jennifer Thomas walking towards me.
“Hey sweetheart, how are you?’’, she said, kissing my cheek.
“I’m ok, thanks. I just went by your house on the way home from the orthopedic clinic.”, I answered.
“I was out shopping…… what did the doctor say?”, she asked.
“It’s a small fracture of the kneecap…… should heal on its own.”, I answered.
“Great…... and congratulations on the championship. Jim and I watched it together.”, she beamed.
“Thank you. I still can’t believe I won.”, I laughed.
“So, what now?”, she asked.
“I must heal up first. Then think about what I want to do. I’m not sure I want to fight again.”, I responded.
“Well, you are the World Champion……. What more do you have to prove?’’, she laughed.
We talked for about thirty minutes and thankfully she didn’t bring up Lexie. I thought she would several times, but she kissed my cheek again and left.
About six o’clock that afternoon, I hobbled next door to Tabby’s house. I saw a car parked in the street near her house but paid no mine to it. I rang the bell and several seconds later a guy about my age answered the door.
“Oh, hello……. Is Tabby here?”, I asked.
“Who are you?’, he asked, somewhat smug.
“I live next door.”, I replied.
He stepped back slightly and yelled for Tabby to come to the door. He stayed in the doorway staring me down. Seconds later Tabby stepped in front of him. When she saw me, the look on her face completely changed. I had no idea was what was going on but decided to play it safe.
“Hey Tabby, just wanted to let you know I’m back home. I appreciate you checking on my place while I was gone.”, I said, the first thing I could think of.
“Oh um……. no problem, Chris.”, she said nervously.
“Well thanks again.”, I stated, turning, and hobbling away.
I absolutely had no idea what that was about and really did not want to know. Tabby had admitted she wasn’t dating anyone, but I had been gone a while so that may have changed. I went back home and fell back on the sofa.
Two weeks passed and I had not heard from Tabby or Lexie. I guess once again, I was alone. I was getting in my car heading to the doctor when I heard Tabby call out my name. I turned around and she walked over with a serious look on her face.
“Hey Chris, I owe you an explanation. The guy that was in my house the day you came over…. Well, we have been dating for a couple of weeks. I’m sorry, it really happened unexpectedly. Anyway, thanks for sort of covering for me that day. I really did not mention you.”, she admitted.
“It’s fine Tabby…... as long as you’re happy.”, I replied.
“So far….so good.”, she responded.
“Good……... well, I am on the way to the doctor. I’ll see you later.”, I stated.
I got in my car and pulled out of the driveway. As I drove on the interstate, I began to think Lexie was right. There was something wrong with me. This was the fourth woman that I had somewhat of a relationship with and they all broke it off for someone else. Maybe the rest of my life was going to be like this.
I arrived at the doctor’s office a few minutes before my appointment. I sat down across from a young boy properly ten or eleven years old. He began to lean over and whisper to his mom, both looking in my direction. Finally, he leaned forward in his chair and asked a question.
“Are you the guy that just won the UFC championship?”, he asked.
“Yes sir, I am.”, I replied.
“Um…. would you sign my cast?”, he asked, extending his arm.
“Sure, go asked the lady at the desk for a sharpie.”, I answered.
He ran over to the desk and explained the situation and returned quickly with a black fine point sharpie. He held out his arm as everyone in place what trying to figure out who I was. I asked him his name and he told me it was Bryan. So, I wrote “To my friend Bryan ---- All the Best-------Chris Williams. UFC Champ. While I was signing the cast his mom took a photo of the two of us.
Bryan was just about to get up when Nikki, Dr. Hall’s nurse opened the door and asked me inside. I got up slowly and hobbled into exam room three. Since I was wearing shorts, all Nikki had to do was remove the brace and unwrap the bandage. Dr. Hall walked in just as she finished. He sat down and examined the knee carefully pushing and pulling on it. The swelling had gone down and there was very little pain. He asked Nikki to get a fresh bandage and put it on then reinstall the brace. He asked me to stay on the crutches for another week then scheduled to come in on Tuesdays and Thursday morning to begin rehab. He told me that Nikki would work with me which was a huge plus.
I showed up the following Tuesday for my appointment. I was ushered to the other side of the building when Nikki was working with a patient. The room was sort of a mini gym which weight machine lining all the walls. I sat down in one of the chairs waiting for her finish with her patient. Nikki was probably the most beautiful girl I had ever been this close to.
She finished the patient and signed off on his chart. She then grabbed my chart and walked over to me. She sat down in the chair next to me and asked me a few questions on how I had been feeling. I answered her questions and then followed her over to the biggest floor bed I had ever seen. I sat down on it and then laid back as she directed me to. She once again unwrapped removed the brace and tossed it to the side. She then explained she was going to try to get an idea of how much movement I had in my knee at the time.
She slowly lifted my leg the bed then slowly started to slowly push my lower leg towards me forcing my knee to bend. She asked me if I felt anything, but I didn’t have the nerve to say your amazing hands. Nikki hands were life warm butter and were having quite the effect on me. She had my knee bent at about a sixty-degree angle before I felt any discomfort. I mentioned to her that I felt slight pain, so she stopped and extended my leg out straight again. We repeated that exercise six or seven times before we stopped. She then had me roll over on my stomach. Once again, she worked on the knee with those silky-smooth hands.
During the entire session, I don’t think she said twenty words. She got a fresh bandage and wrapped my knee never really looking up a me. I did notice once again that she had no ring on but in today’s world that really meant nothing. She reattached my brace and grabbed my crutches from the wall.
This had been going on for three weeks and I had still not heard from Lexie or Tabby. I had noticed Tabby’s boyfriend’s car there almost every night, so I assumed it was going well. I showed up for my Thursday rehab session, but I was early. I sat in the waiting room of the rehab section with just the young girl behind the reception desk. I was looking at my phone when she spoke softly to me.
“You do know you’re quite a hit around here, don’t you?”, she laughed.
“Uh, no not really.”, I replied.
“Well trust me you are. We don’t get many patients who look like you do.”, she giggled.
“Well thank you…... I Think.”, I replied, causing her to laugh again.
“Are you married?”, she asked.
“No, I’m not.”, I replied.
“Seeing anyone?”, she quickly followed up.
“No, I’m not.”, I answered.
“Well, someone here would really like you to ask her out……. Well, I’m pretty sure anyway.”, she stated.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I have not done well with women to this point. I think the fighting might scare them…. Not sure though.”, I replied.
“Don’t say that I mentioned it but I’m pretty sure if you asked Nikki out, she would say yes. I think she really likes you…… I mean really likes.”, she giggled.
“It doesn’t show, she barely speaks to me.”, I responded.
“Uh Chris……… you’re a little intimidating to look at. Do you blame her? You’re a UFC World Champion.”, she laughed.
“Point taken.”, I answered, just as Nikki opened the door.
“You ready Chris?”, she asked.
“Yes ma’am.”, I answer, getting up.
Nikki did my usual knee flexes front and rear. I was to the point where I could almost get maximum movement. We started on the leg press machine and the leg lift and curl machine. I was just about finished when Nikki came back to check on me.
“Feeling ok, Chris?’, she asked, softly putting her hand on my shoulder.
“Yes, I’m fine.”, I replied.
“Ok, the doctor said you can stop using the crutches but keep the brace on for two more weeks. Hopefully at that time, we can release you and you can begin to train again.”, she stated looking at my chart.
“Sounds great, I need to get back in the gym.”, I advised.
“Oh yea, you’re whittling away to nothing.”, she laughed.
Nikki was a very beautiful woman, but I was not ready to even go out on a date much less think about another relationship. In all honestly, Lexie had taken a huge toll on me, and I wasn’t sure that I ever wanted another relationship. She had mind fucked me so much that understanding a woman was something I would probably never do. My mother raised me to be respectful of anyone especially women. It seemed life in this day and time the worst you treated a woman they better they like it. Almost as if they were trying to save you. You treat a woman like they claimed they wanted to be treated you were discarded without a thought. I did everything I could to fight for Lexie, but it was a one-way situation.
The more I thought about Lexie’s reasoning the more flawed it became. She worried that because of my history that I would somewhat ruin our relationship by fighting. She worried about her job and reputation because of what I would do. I was dangerous and unpredictable and that was not a basis for a relationship.
Now on the other hand, Lexie chose to be a police officer. To put on a uniform and gun and go out in the streets and deal with the dregs of society. Not once had I ever expressed my concern for her safety although I thought of it every day. In fact, even Cody to his credit was not crazy about Lexie being a police officer.
I was supposed to kiss her goodbye every day not sure if she would return and not say a word. But if I defended myself against anyone, she could not stand by me. All in all, Lexie was in more danger than I was. She was out there every day and night.
A month later, the doctor released me, and I started back at the gym. I had lost some weight and some strength, so I jumped right back into it. Everything was going well until the end of the summer. We got word that the owner of the building wanted to sell it and he was not going to renew the lease for the club owner.
Master Garcia and Mr. Jala had briefly talked once about possibly opening a studio for the two of them, but they were very skeptical. I reached out to Mr. Jenkins who owned the club, but he told me he was in no position to buy the building.
After several days of thought, I decided to see exactly what it would take to buy the building and the club. I met with the owner of the building and Alan Frey who owned the equipment in the gym. After meeting with my personal banker, I decided to buy the business and the building which after meeting with the owner realized it came with the building next door as well. The club was already seventeen thousand square feet with both floors. This would add another ten thousand feet. The building was listed at four hundred twenty-five thousand and Alan Frey was happy with eighty thousand for the equipment. I hired a construction firm and sat down and listed the changes I wanted for the renovation.
I decided the close the club for a month and work around the clock to get it ready. I added three new smaller rooms upstairs. One that housed twenty-four stationary bikes for a spin class that we would host daily. A second room where a yoga class would be held. The last room had eight treadmills and a seventy-five-inch flat screen tv on the wall.
We added several machines to weight room which was now slightly larger. In addition, I bought four more sets of free weight and another complete set of dumbbells. New floors were put down upstairs and everything was patched and painted.
Downstairs we took the three rooms we had moved upstairs and combined them with the existing office to make two large offices and a conference room. On the other side of the first floor, we opened a “Health Café with a huge bar and several tables. We several nutritional smoothies, vitamins, body building supplements and lifting gear such as gloves and belts.
The interior designer framed and hung my MMA Belt in the main lobby along with several large photos of my MMA matches. In the back of the lobby, we constructed two large areas with mats where Krav Maga and Jujutsu could be taught. Two days short of three weeks we reopened like nothing had happened.
I had made an agreement with a lady to do the spin class and another for yoga in exchange for free membership. Master Garcia and Mr. Jala stayed on running their classes. I got fifteen percent from each of their classes, they kept the rest. I hired another woman to work the Health Café and another for the register.
In less than six months’ time the place was booming, and membership was way up. We were turning a profit each month and paying all of the bills. I had been so busy that I really did not have the time to think about my personal life at all. We were approaching Christmas before I realized that this year had gotten away from me. I was brought back to reality the second week of December when Lexie Thomas walked into the gym.
“Chris, the place looks incredible, what a transformation.”, she stated.
“Thanks, Lexie. It been a long year.”, I laughed.
“For me as well…… I have been on nights all this year and studying for the detective’s exam. It been ages since I have been here.”, she sighed.
“Well, have at it. I think you will like the new weight room.’, I offered.
“I’m sure I will.”, she replied, softly touching my forearm.
Since I was finished for the evening, I went to my office and decided to tackle some paperwork. I lost track of time and a knock on my office door brought me back to reality. It was Lexie. I waved her in, and she entered quickly. She had a large smoothie in her hand as she plopped in one of the chairs facing my desk.
This is going to hurt tomorrow.”, she laughed.
“Always does…...”, I answered.
“I see you kept at it…... you’re bigger than ever.”, she stated.
“It helps when you own a gym.”, I replied.
“Point taken……………. Anyway, my parents are holding a big Christmas party on Christmas Eve. They would love for you to come. I know Pops and Maw Maw would love to see you as well. I mean……… you can bring a date with you. It’s not a problem.”, she stuttered almost embarrassed at the date part.
“I’m not seeing anyone…… never have after the Chrissy debacle. It’s just not worth it.”, I answered.
“Well, either way they would love to see you.”, she said softly, smiling.
“I’m not sure, Lexie. I think I would probably feel awkward being around your family. Don’t get me wrong, I love them all but somehow, I don’t feel like I belong there.”, I explained.
“I understand……. But we would all like for you to be there.”, she answered.
“All……... as in you as well?”, I asked, looking her straight in the eye.
“Especially me……”, she answered, getting up and walking out.
As I laid in bed that night, Lexie was all I could think about. Was it possible I was going to be lured back into her life again only to have her rip my heart apart once more? I loved Lexie; I always have. Lexie was my first love, and she was everything all at once. The kind you never fall back from. Never try to. Never want to. A love so big. So strong. It never dies. Never fades. Never loses its electricity. The kind of love you fight for. The kind of woman you fight for. But had I lost all my desire to fight. Could I win the fight?