Connor's coaching team loomed closely behind Ye Chen, their voices ringing out like a chorus, urging Connor to execute the tactics they had carefully crafted. Yet, as the two men traded jabs, neither seemed capable of inflicting significant damage, leaving Connor struggling to find a breakthrough moment.
In a bold move, Connor wrapped his arms around Ye Chen's legs and executed a stunning throw, sending Ye Chen crashing to the ground. This unexpected maneuver left Ye Chen momentarily bewildered. "This isn't the norm," he thought, "Is Connor really intent on grappling on the mat?"
Confident in his ground skills, Ye Chen believed that Connor wouldn't be able to throw him effectively, and thus he hadn't prepared for this sort of engagement. The astonishment was palpable; not only were the fighters stunned, but the entire audience was taken aback. Connor had actually thrown him...
What ensued was a scene that evoked memories of a legendary fighter. After executing the throw, Connor settled down on Ye Chen's legs, capturing Ye Chen's chin with an iron grip. He quickly tucked his legs beneath Ye Chen's, performing a classic leg-tying maneuver.
"Khabib..." someone murmured in disbelief. "This is a waterfaked, déjà vu moment! Is Connor really morphing into an eagle?" Laughter rippled through the crowd. "Has Connor learned this from Khabib? It's almost too similar; it's hilarious!" The atmosphere shifted from one of nail-biting tension to an unexpected amusement.
Amidst the oddity, Logan remarked, bewilderment etched across his face, "Connor has truly unleashed some new tactics tonight. He's not just bragging; he's expanded his repertoire!" DC joined in, clapping and chuckling, "This scene instantly reminds me of Khabib!"
But this curious tableau lasted less than ten seconds. Ye Chen quickly extracted one leg and seized Connor's outer arm with both hands. Connor, undeterred, attempted to tighten his leg hold, striving to maintain control. Just as he aimed to secure his position, Ye Chen unexpectedly combined his limbs in an explosive roll, flipping Connor off him.
Now free, Ye Chen pivoted, using his knees as leverage to drive Connor — who was struggling to regain his footing — against the cage. "Connor, watch out!" his coaching team shouted anxiously, well aware of the peril of being trapped. Connor recognized the urgency but before he could fully rise, he violently turned to escape Ye Chen's grip from his hip. However, Ye Chen's hold was steadfast, and Connor could not shake him off. Desperate to avoid yielding, Connor rolled to rely on the cage itself for support.
In a flash, a chilling thought gripped Connor's mind. His internal alarm rang out loudly, "Not again!" Frustration surged as he launched a direct elbow strike. Yet, Ye Chen, cleverly positioning himself to mitigate damage, turned slightly to avoid the blow. Connor's anger bubbled over as he relentlessly struck at Ye Chen's head even as Ye Chen's control tightened.
"Hey!" Ye Chen barked at He Bo, who stood nearby, "Did you not see that illegal strike to my head?" He Bo merely shrugged, responding, "Connor, pay attention to your striking range. No dirty tricks allowed." Ye Chen found himself perplexed by the response as the audience erupted with shouts.
The footage displayed Connor's blatant foul live on the big screen, and a cacophony of voices arose. "He fouled! Connor just committed an obvious foul!" one voice cried out. "Why is there no warning or pause? This isn't fair! A cheat is a cheat; Ye Chen needs to take him down!"
In an overactive frenzy, some spectators began to hurl food and drinks at each other, the previously electrifying atmosphere morphing into a chaotic argument. Dada's expression grew serious, fully aware that this could devolve into a tumult reminiscent of past notorious fights, which had led to significant repercussions for the sport.
"Ye Chen! Ye Chen! Shadow!" As more fans began to rally behind Ye Chen — incited by the perceived foul — calls for justice grew louder. Ye Chen couldn't ignore the growing momentum; he had to prove himself.
Suddenly, an even more surreal image emerged in the ring. Ye Chen perched on Connor's lap, pressing Connor's head against his chin while securing an arm control. He then leaned his weight fully against Connor's torso, establishing a stable triangle while gradually tying Connor's legs.
Commentator #1 gasped, "This... Ye Chen is absolutely defying expectations! Connor got the upper hand, but Ye Chen swiftly countered with an almost identical control strategy!" Commentator #2 agreed, "Chen is undoubtedly the most well-rounded fighter in China; his skills are premier level!"
In the live chat, spectators erupted with commentary. "The entire alliance is turning into an eagle? How has everyone mastered this technique?" someone exclaimed. "Brother Chen is phenomenal! Look at him; Connor can't even flip him!" another added. "Let's be clear — of the three men who have defeated Salujian in the UFC, one was Mahar, one was Gamrot, and the other is our Brother Chen! The difference in quality is glaring."
Amidst the clamor, the reality was undeniable. Ye Chen had employed this controlling maneuver deliberately, aiming to showcase skills reminiscent of how Khabib once controlled him. What began as a playful interaction turned serious, as Connor's elbow strike had clearly crossed the line, heightening Ye Chen's resolve.
"Connor, push yourself! Get those legs free," echoed the coaching team, an urgency wrapped in their tone. As points were scored in ground control, Connor strained to retrieve his legs and create enough momentum to flip Ye Chen, but he found himself thwarted at each attempt.
"I'll show you what proper ground control looks like," Ye Chen quipped, "If you want to stand, let me know. It would be easier if you just admit defeat." Connor, digging deep, retorted, "If you think I'll just lie down, I'll rise and we can continue trading blows!" But Ye Chen had different ideas.
As the coaching staff shouted instructions, urging Connor to seize the moment and escape, Ye Chen feigned a casual demeanor while preparing his onslaught. Sequentially, he unleashed punches to Connor's ribs, peppering his opponent with strikes that slowly eroded Connor's resilience. Each blow reinforced Ye Chen's dominance.
"Beat him senseless!" a fan shouted, reveling in the spectacle. "Let your daddy stand up, Connor! Come on!" The atmosphere transformed into a carnival for Ye Chen's supporters, who couldn't help but relished the breakdown of Connor, watching eagerly for the finishing blow.
Catwoman, beside herself with fury, screamed insults at Connor, her noise resonating through the cage. Meanwhile, a bar in New York buzzed with conflicted energy, torn between laughter and outrage. The eagerness of fans worldwide surged and spilled over into chaos as rivalries simmered to dangerous levels.
Suddenly, a beer bottle shattered; a bar fight erupted, ignited by the frenzied atmosphere stirred by Connor's foul play! People began to engage in a skirmish, escalating tensions that quickly spread.
Back in the arena, the three commentators tread cautiously, sensing that one wrong statement could provoke an outburst from a rowdy crowd. DC managed to assert, "Connor's ground control was fundamentally flawed; he underestimated Ye Chen's adaptability. The distance he created only granted Ye Chen maneuverability!"
But the audience was unfocused on nuance as adrenaline coursed through their veins and emotions ran high. Soon, word spread that the local police had been alerted and that riot squads were en route to the venue.
Out of nowhere, the atmosphere shifted dramatically again. Ye Chen, growing increasingly frustrated after a series of ineffective punches, shifted his strategy with an unexpected twist. He drove Connor's head to the left, cleverly manipulating his hold on Connor's supporting arm while leveraging the cage to masterful effect.
With precise movements, Ye Chen adjusted, raising Connor's legs momentarily before shifting to an advanced riding position that left Connor vulnerable and unable to escape. As the crowd gasped, the stakes escalated dramatically.
"Farke! Grab his hand, Connor!" shouted the coaching team in desperation. Connor, cornered and rivalled on all fronts, felt the unyielding weight of Ye Chen pressing down on him, their bodies locked in a perilous embrace.
Amid the chaos, the sight of Connor's impending defeat ignited fervor in the crowd and a latent bloodlust blossomed as they witnessed the culmination of skill, strategy, and raw human emotion. Ye Chen swiftly began launching a series of attacks, his precision cutting through Connor's defenses, leaving him bloodied and at the mercy of his opponent.
Thuds echoed throughout the arena as hard strikes landed. "Connor, stand up! Grab his hand!" his coaching staff pleaded. Yet, as every punch struck, Connor's chances dissipated, his capacity to retaliate growing thinner. Deliriously, he was ambushed by a barrage of attacks tailored to exploit his extensive vulnerabilities.
Heartbeat by heartbeat, the crowd's excitement peaked, "Ye Chen! Ye Chen!" the roars swelled, drowning out all else. The fervent clamor echoed through the arena, and outside, even the atmosphere of bars turned tumultuous as fights broke out everywhere.
Through the storm, Ye Chen surged forth, crushing Connor yet again with a brutal elbow strike that split Connor's forehead open. The tension reached unprecedented heights as blood dripped down Connor's face, each drop symbolizing his waning hope.
"Wait!" He Bo rushed onto the scene, assessing the injury with urgency. Yet, as cheers filled the air and adrenaline ruled the day, the bout continued, and the world held its breath, teetering on the brink of chaos.
As the audience continued to delight in this visceral spectacle of power, once again reaffirmed, it became evident that this clash was not merely a battle of strength but a vivid tapestry woven with emotion, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of glory.