The next day following my victory over Gioavnna Araujo, it was time to celebrate my favorite time of the year. Christmas.
"That was an impressive finish last night. You've already passed me up in submission wins." My father Tiny said to me with a laugh while we were all huddled around the Christmas tree as one big family early in the morning.
"They can't keep the Jimenez's from coming." He said as he took another sip of his morning coffee.
My father, now 55, is still just as busy as always. If he's not training with me then he's part of some movie production or he's likely doing commentary for a fight or the occasional basketball game. I guess that's to be expected when your Dad is one of the most famous people in America. He's retired from the UFC, retired from the NBA, & is one of the biggest actors in Hollywood. I glanced over the fireplace to look at all of the UFC PPV poster's he headlined. Costa, Adesanya, McGregor, Jon Jones, etc. Each one is our Dad holding the championship over his shoulder. Title defense after title defense. He started with nothing & created everything for my brothers & sisters.
"That's going to be me!" My brother Julian, we call him Yaya, said as he pointed to our Dad's wall of posters after I drew the attention. Yaya is 17 years old & is following in my footsteps of wanting to be an ultimate fighter like Dad.
"You're tripping. That's going to be ME!" I said as I pointed to myself with a grin.
It was a tradition that my sister Autumn & I would pass out the gifts to everyone while they remained seated. My father would turn on some Christmas music & we would spend the next hour or so opening gifts & bonding as a family. This Christmas was special just like all of them, but my Dad had one trick left up his sleeve.
"AJ I think there's one more gift with your name on it." My Dad said as he handed me an envelope.
Inside was a key fob that said Lamborghini on it.
"No way!" I said aloud, while my brothers & sisters were also thinking the same inside their heads. We stood up & headed for the front door where a matte black Lamborghini sat with a Christmas bow on top.
"Oh my God, Dad it's so amazing!" I said in awe.
"Don't just look at it. Go inside!" He said with encouragement.
As I opened the car door there was another envelope inside. There was a note inside that read: Look in the trunk. We unlocked the trunk to find a present wrapped. I opened it to find a folder on the inside with a note attached to the top of it. That note read: The Lambo is mine, but this is yours. Merry Christmas. Love, Dad.
"Are you kidding me!?" I fired back with a grin after being led to believe the car was mine.
I tossed him the keys back & opened the folder to reveal what I've been working my ass off for my entire life. A UFC contract. Tears began to flood as opportunity arose. Everyone came to embrace me in a tight hug.
"I'm really proud of you, AJ. You deserve this. Merry Christmas." My dad said as he kissed me on the forehead.
"I'm going to continue to make you proud. I'm so happy right now." I said, as I struggled to find words to speak amid my excitement. This was the best Christmas of my life.
It was time to sign this contract & return it to Dana White so my UFC career can begin.
Editor's Notes: Not sure if any recognized but the title of Tiny's thread is .. For the whole world to see. One of my favorite rock albums by Death. Let the world turn is just one of many great songs on this album. As AJ makes it to the UFC, it's time to cheers her career to the song.
Last edited by Agent on 08 Nov 2021, 09:22, edited 2 times in total.
