Nankalayev gritted his teeth and posted on his right elbow, trying to explode back to his feet.
Damon stayed tight, his chest low, controlling the hips with one hand and the far underhook with the other.
As Nankalayev tried to scramble, Damon floated with him, adjusting with precision, never giving up pressure.
The commentators leaned forward. "This is where Damon's balance and grappling IQ shine. He's not muscling it, he's gliding."
Nankalayev rolled to his knees, trying to tripod and stand, but Damon immediately shifted, taking the back with one hook in.
He reached for the second hook, but Nankalayev turned into him, dragging the fight into a scramble.
They wrestled chest to chest, shoulder to shoulder, both fighters fighting for inside grips.
Damon snuck in a collar tie, pulling Nankalayev's head down, while his other hand controlled the wrist.
Nankalayev answered by pushing forward, looking to clasp his hands behind Damon's hips for a double-leg attempt.
