Chapter 23

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 have 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 re-injure 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 prescription 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.