13: A Big Kick At The Beginning, A Knee To Prevent A Dive?

The global allure of the UFC can't compare to its electric atmosphere in China.

Tonight, the venue was packed and alive with energy.

It's fight night!

Ye Chen found himself slated for the third-to-last match, a stark contrast to the spotlight he enjoyed during his previous bout that was just a step from the main event in China.

This, he always insisted, illustrated the power of popularity—the more eyes on you, the easier it is to rise.

Despite looking promising, that wasn't enough to sway Dana into giving him the green light.

Plenty of fighters have potential, but only a select few truly shine.

If Ye Chen wanted to earn Dana's respect, he'd have to fight hard and prove his mettle through a series of matches.

That's just how the business works.

In the preparation room, Ye Chen warmed up while his eyes flicked to the live broadcast on the TV screen.

After days of simulations, he had a solid plan: keep the fight standing.

If it went to the ground, he had a jiu-jitsu arsenal ready to unleash.

He wasn't too worried about takedown defenses; two days of practice had confirmed that.

Despite his prior wrestling experience, it paled in comparison to the years of training that others had.

Even equipped to handle takedowns, he felt it wouldn't be enough.

Luckily, his opponent wasn't known for strong ground skills—otherwise, he'd be in serious trouble.

But he was in a prime growth phase, believing wholeheartedly that he could evolve into a top-tier fighter who would dominate the octagon.

The first leg of the penultimate match wrapped up with a bang.

His opponent was knocked down and pummeled for a TKO. Blood spattered, and the scene was thrilling.

The atmosphere boomed, and the crowd erupted into cheers.

Once those fighters exited, the host called for Ye Chen to step into the spotlight.

As he entered, highlight reels of his sensational KO against Li Zhengyong lit up the big screen, both live and on the broadcast.

It's a standard procedure, but it's a pity Ye Chen had only one bout to showcase—it looped in slow motion repeatedly.

...

Meanwhile, excitement brewed in the domestic live stream.

The commentator exclaimed, "Our own DaXia fighter Ye Chen is about to take the stage! If you remember his explosive rematch two months ago, you know this name well."

"Stepping in as a substitute, he unleashed an incredible 18-second KO!"

"That performance was so stunning it allowed him to leap over the Elite Road trials and land a direct contract with the UFC."

"Tonight is his true UFC debut!"

Zonghuang chimed in, "I was a commentator for that match too; it left a lasting impression! But tonight, he's facing a different kind of wrestler. I hope he can withstand the pressure and emerge victorious."

"Still, I can't shake the feeling—does he really need this money? Not having his team here feels odd."

Zonghuang wasn't critiquing Ye Chen directly; he was simply baffled by the team's absence.

In this free event, over a million viewers tuned in.

Much of that audience came thanks to Ye Chen.

His performance had made waves across China, and as this was his inaugural international fight, it attracted many curious onlookers.

**[What's going on? I checked the recap yesterday and he looked scrawny, but now he's packing some muscle!]**

**[How did he gain all that weight in just a day? Is this weight loss method even real?]**

**[Dude, that's dehydration—don't speak unless you get it, it's just a joke.]**

**[I was laughing earlier, but why are all the newbies watching this fight?]**

**[Hey, don't knock them! The scene is already small; most fight fans start as novices. So what if they don't know much?]**

**[Ye Chen looks ready, but I still put my money on his opponent to win.]**

**[I'm backing his opponent too. All the fighting fans know how formidable that bearded wrestler is.]**

**[I bet on Brother Chen for a hundred bucks; I hope he pulls through!]**

**[Are you for real? How can Shui Chen win? You think luck will make him unbeatable? Look at the betting odds for proof—they'll tell you who's favored.]**

**[I'm rooting for Ye Chen! What were the odds last time? I want him to win and show up those self-proclaimed veterans!]**

...

This time, the odds weren't as wild as before, but Ye Chen was still a dark horse.

He sensed this when the betting lines were surprisingly absent.

His opponent's strengths were clear, but Ye Chen had too few references.

Jima -450, Ye Chen +350.

As Jima approached the cage, the referee's powerful voice rang out, igniting anticipation.

"Back to the cage!"

Once the rules were clarified, the fighters were signaled to enter.

Jima stood with his back to the cage, his team urging him from behind.

Ye Chen, on the other hand, had no one behind him. He casually rolled his neck and loosened his shoulders and ankles.

"Let's do this..."

They had fist bumped before, but this time, as the fight loomed, there was no second bump.

Instead, Ye Chen leaped and unleashed an impressive roundhouse kick.

He didn't expect to land it; he just aimed to disrupt Jima's rhythm.

Jima deftly dodged the flying kick, pivoting toward the center of the octagon.

Ye Chen matched his pace, maintaining a safe distance to guard against takedowns.

Suddenly, Jima lunged, jabbing with his front hand.

"I need to bring him down," Ye Chen thought instinctively.

After days of simulation, he had recognized some of his opponent's moves.

But he stayed composed, shifting his weight and expertly executing a knee strike.

"Thwack!" an echoing sound reverberated through the arena.