110 The Game Begins: The Era of Ye Chen

Dana had to get vaccinated first before facing the wave of reporters. What they craved was controversy, and their inquiries reflected that desire. If it weren't for the cancellation of the earlier press conference, navigating this situation would have been even trickier. Take, for example, the debacle at UFC 279, which led to a severe backlash that Dana wanted to avoid repeating too soon. With that in mind, Dana wished he could just call off the event entirely. Instead, a 'Hammer' press conference was happening.

As Dana prepared to address the reporters, he glanced over at Ye Chen and Kamaru Usman. His eyes said it all: "Be cautious with your words; sensitive topics can lead to serious repercussions."

He raised his hand and pointed to a calmer reporter among the throng. After all, having hosted countless press conferences, Dana had a good grip on who asked what. The reporter took the cue and stood up, "Ye Chen, we noticed in the promotional video that Anne mentioned you had been tested twenty-nine times in just five months. The last test came at your most critical moment, when you were attempting to shed weight. What are your thoughts on this? Is it true, as the outside world speculates, that you were using performance-enhancing drugs?"

Dana let out a silent sigh of relief. This question fell within the boundaries he had anticipated. Ye Chen shrugged, feigning confusion. "Honestly, I'm just as perplexed about all the testing. Maybe their team is simply too idle and needs to find more productive pursuits." He glanced at his physique, gesturing playfully. "If I were on anything, do you think I'd look like this?"

Ye Chen recognized that arguing further would lead nowhere since the drug testing agency wouldn't release any conclusive reports, making any rebuttal seem like mere evasion. The reporter pressed on, "What do you think of internet personality Jake Paul's fight? Are you planning to face him in the boxing ring? After all, he has bested a few notable UFC fighters."

Ye Chen spread his arms and made cutting motions through the air. "Jake Paul is an internet celebrity; he's not on my level..." He paused for effect, gesturing upward. "I am at this elevated level; we're not even comparable. If he steps into the ring with me, he might as well consider his amateur career finished. If I want to box, I'd face serious professional boxers, not someone trading off on social media fame."

The crowd erupted with cheers, chanting "Ye Chen, Ye Chen, Ye Chen…" The energy in the room lifted as fans felt vindicated. For days, they had endured endless jabs from Jake Paul's camp, with Paul's fans creating chaos and contentious confrontations with Ye Chen's supporters.

Dana chuckled at Ye Chen's response, appreciating the way he navigated the situation. Many other fighters might not possess the same confidence as Ye Chen to outright decline a match proposition from Paul. The reporter interjected, "Are you suggesting that you're open to a cross-discipline fight with a professional boxer? You know Kamaru has been trying to secure a fight with Ava for a while, yet nothing has come to fruition. What are your thoughts?"

Without waiting for Ye Chen to respond, Usman chimed in, "Hey, brother, my match with Ava is indeed on hold. But let me tell you, after I fight Ye Chen, my fanbase and bank account will flourish. Soon enough, Ava will be begging me for a showdown!"

Cheers erupted for Usman, though louder boos immediately followed, signaling a decisive preference for Ye Chen among the crowd. This was akin to the fervor surrounding Conor McGregor; attention naturally gravitated toward him, no matter the narrative.

"Maybe if I find myself without challengers in the UFC, I'll start seeking out top talent in other sports to test my limits," Ye Chen replied. "Kamaru Usman is a formidable fighter who has achieved what many others could only dream of. He dominated the welterweight division for an extended period and defeated exceptional opponents. But that was before I entered the weight class. Tonight, I'm here to end his era and usher in the Era of Ye Chen in the welterweight class."

The atmosphere grew electric, and the crowd's excitement surged. Dana beamed, feeling the weight of prior concerns lift. Ye Chen knew how to spark enthusiasm.

"You think that's funny, Ye Chen?" Usman retorted, amused yet dismissive. "How on earth did you convince yourself that you can defeat a true UFC champion? Who ignited that spark of confidence in you? Is it the lightweights? Sure, you've experienced massive success, gained a following, and you've got a partner that every man envies. But the personification of the Chongqing gold belt is me—Kamaru Usman. No one will take it from my grip."

As Usman spoke, the audience spontaneously began chanting "Leon, Leon, Leon," invoking the name of the fighter who delivered a spectacular knockout that still reverberated in UFC history. Ye Chen seized the moment, responding, "Tonight promises to be unforgettable for you, Kamaru. You can hold on to that belt for almost twelve more hours. After that, you're done. So, treasure this final countdown and refrain from making harsh threats."

The press conference slowly drew to a close. The last question was posed by a reporter who stood up, fixated on his phone. "This one goes to both Ye Chen and Kamaru; I need your joint opinions on this. Colby just released a clip where he claims tonight's match represents a battle between American fighters and the technology-driven fighters from Daxia. He even stated that the CEOs of two major steroid companies would be ringside to promote their products. What are your thoughts?"

He displayed the video on his phone, revealing Covington clad in a playful Little Red Riding Hood costume while flanked by two women, exuding a facade of bravado.

Usman rolled his eyes, dismissing Covington's claims. "He's just a loudmouth—a paper tiger."

"I can agree on that point with Usman," Ye Chen interjected. Dana couldn't help but chuckle. "Covington speaks freely, and he's never shied away from controversy, but let's try not to pay him any mind."

At this moment, the two fighters exchanged glances, each gauging the other. Ye Chen noticed Usman appeared to be at least five centimeters shorter than his listed height of 183 centimeters; the discrepancy was clear.

Usman took the opportunity to showcase his championship belt, deliberately waving it in front of Ye Chen and then lifting it high for the audience to admire. Ye Chen remained composed, unfazed. Everyone recognized that belts did not last forever; a new champion arose each time. For instance, Ye Chen secured the lightweight belt after defeating Makhachev and acquired another after besting the diamond.

As the press conference wrapped up, assurances were made that the UFC would soon receive detailed reports from the drug testing agency regarding Ye Chen's tests.

As night fell, the lights of the Vegas Arena began to flicker, signaling the approach of the highly-anticipated showdown.