238 The Ground Game: A Clash of Titans in the Cage

In the world of competitive grappling, it is generally understood that a superior fighter takes the initiative to rise to their feet. This may occur for various reasons; maybe an opponent has landed them in a precarious submission position, or perhaps they have failed to secure a strong position while the opponent successfully defends against their attempts, limiting their chances of advancement. In such situations, the best strategy is often to stand up and seek out new opportunities.

There exists another scenario in which a fighter may lack confidence in their ground-fighting skills while facing a determined opponent. Ye Chen clearly falls into this latter category; he was intent on finding a new opportunity to maneuver into a better position. Meanwhile, Pereira was hesitant to rise, fully aware of the risks involved. He understood that the moment he attempted to stand, Ye Chen stood ready to bring him back down in an instant. The uncertainty regarding the position Ye Chen would employ this time further complicated matters for Pereira, who recognized the potential danger that would come with it. Therefore, for Pereira, maintaining the current situation was the wisest choice.

Many competitors often choose this cautious approach in similar circumstances. The risk of standing up is simply too high, compelling them to wait until the right opportunity presents itself. With Pereira's ground game skills, any hope he had of seizing an opportunity against Ye Chen was nearly futile. And Ye Chen certainly had no intention of letting Pereira off the hook.

Suddenly, Ye Chen lunged forward, reaching out to grab Pereira's ankle. Assuming Ye Chen aimed to suppress him again, Pereira instinctively struggled violently, attempting to utilize his other leg for any possible openings. In mixed martial arts, a knockout can happen even from the lower position, especially considering Pereira's long legs. Ye Chen was acutely aware of this phenomenon and had no desire to suppress him in such a manner. Even if he chose to advance from the bottom, he would avoid positioning himself directly between Pereira's legs. Why risk his efforts? Such a move would force Pereira into a defensive posture, adding layers of challenge that would negate any progress.

Ye Chen executed a leg-raising motion while leaning slightly forward. Reacting swiftly, Pereira unleashed a powerful kick, aimed directly at Ye Chen's face. In that moment, a gambling mentality seemed to set in for Pereira. Fighting Ye Chen was a radically different experience compared to facing the Black Dragon. At this juncture, Pereira found himself entirely out of initiative, completely at the mercy of Ye Chen's rhythm. This created a sense of despair, leading to his reckless gamble—what if he managed to connect a kick and secure his financial freedom in the process?

However, the instant the kick left his foot, Ye Chen evaded to the side in a split second, displaying remarkable speed amidst the urgency of the moment. Pereira's colossal foot grazed over Ye Chen's shoulder just as Ye Chen seized the opportunity, grabbing Pereira's left leg with his right hand and executing a swift thrust. In a flash, he was pressing his body against Pereira's left side, pouncing on him with incredible speed. Ye Chen had successfully deceived Pereira regarding his double-leg defense, which meant Pereira's focus had shifted entirely to the prospect of scoring a lucky shot. Consequently, Ye Chen descended upon him like a skydiver, landing squarely on Pereira's chest.

"Granby roll… Pereira, get up!" came the urgent calls from Pereira's team. They had been holding their breath just moments before, assuming that the action had reached a stalemate. They recognized the referee had been preparing to halt the match due to a lack of effective movement. However, Pereira's sudden kick had reignited their hopes, leading them to believe there might still be a glimmer of opportunity. Yet, the ensuing sequence was far more dire than they had anticipated.

Pereira, caught off-guard, quickly knew he had to act in the face of Ye Chen's assault. He displayed a level-headedness honed from experience, a distinct contrast to the panic that could easily grip a less experienced fighter. In standing positions, an experienced fighter is often able to navigate dangers without losing their composure. However, ground situations are an entirely different animal. As Ye Chen pressed down upon him, Pereira instinctively rolled over, trying to regain his footing. Since Ye Chen had only partially pinned him down, his body weight wasn't fully applied, enabling Pereira to gain some leverage.

But just as Pereira's right shoulder began to lift, Ye Chen slid his hand from the left to push him back down. Simultaneously, he struck Pereira in the head with a right hook delivered with precision. As a follow-up, Ye Chen raised his legs with the intention of securing a riding position across Pereira's waist and abdomen.

In a flash, Pereira launched into action. Realizing the precariousness of the moment, he understood the folly of attempting to turn sideways. Exploding off the mat, he propelled himself outward, utilizing his core strength to execute a Granby roll that covered his one-meter-ninety-some-centimeter frame. Ye Chen realized the ride had failed, conceding his previous position entirely. He quickly grasped Pereira's left arm, rolling along with him to gain a cross position.

As Pereira's attempt was nearing a potential conclusion, he felt Ye Chen's added weight as he maneuvered. A cold sweat broke out as he struggled to maintain his balance, kneeling onto the mat with his right hand pressed firmly down. His top priority became preventing Ye Chen from flattening his arm; otherwise, he would be in severe danger of being yanked down by the tremendous pressure applied.

"Get out of here," Pereira exhorted, desperation creeping into his voice. With one hand firmly controlling Pereira's left arm and both legs restricting movement, Ye Chen found it difficult for Pereira to break free of his hold. Seizing the moment, he quickly released his left hand to grab at Pereira's knee. Controlling that pivotal joint would significantly diminish Pereira's chance to lift himself back up, especially given his larger frame. Successfully managing Pereira's knee socket rendered the strength disparity less relevant; once Ye Chen exerted force, Pereira would have no choice but to yield to the physiological limits of his own body.

As this intense exchange unfolded, the audience was now fully drawn into the match, with shouts echoing throughout the arena. Those familiar with mixed martial arts recognized that Pereira now found himself in a submission position, gravely endangering his ability to escape.