38: Can’t Bear to Watch - Leading the Fight Night

The buzz in the air was electric, and the excitement around Ye Chen was palpable. A flurry of incredible videos featuring his stunning performances had caught the attention of seasoned fighters both at home and abroad. Notable names from the UFC had started weighing in, expressing their thoughts about Ye Chen's challenges against renowned fighters like Chandler and Gage. Suddenly, Ye Chen's name was a hot topic in mixed martial arts circles all around the globe.

Back home, Ye Chen's Douyin following had skyrocketed, surpassing 1.8 million and approaching the coveted 2 million mark. While a portion of this audience consisted of casual fans, his popularity remained robust and steadily climbed. Even a small local TV station had amassed 230,000 followers, and Ye Chen capitalized on this momentum by sharing a series of engaging short videos that garnered significant likes and interactions. The positive ripple effects of his recent fight were more profound than he had anticipated, opening up opportunities in all directions. With Salugian's top-tier wrestling skills at his side, the road ahead looked remarkably smoother.

The UFC wasn't sitting idle either; they began small promotional efforts for Ye Chen, although they hadn't yet locked in matches against Chandler or Gage. Typically, matchmaking takes time—after all, what if Chandler and Gage impulsively decided to fight? If they were interested, the UFC would simply let things unfold rather than forcing arrangements. The pressing matter now was that Ye Chen's initial three-fight contract was expiring, and Dana White was hard at work evaluating the terms of his next contract.

In that moment of contemplation, Dana couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. When he initially signed Ye Chen on for three fights, he envisioned a modest profit of 30,000 yuan per match. Given the multitude of clauses in the contract, UFC retained the right to terminate agreements if a fighter underperformed. Back then, Dana had taken a gamble on Ye Chen's raw potential, ensuring he wasn't snagged by other organizations. The contracted fee of 30,000 yuan per fight was competitive—especially for a newbie, who typically earned around 10,000 to 20,000. "If Ye Chen doesn't perform," Dana thought at the time, "I can simply let him go." It was merely a formality. Yet here they were, and Ye Chen had surpassed all expectations.

Meanwhile, the Devil's Claw Energy Drink company approached Ye Chen with an enticing endorsement deal. This wasn't just about posing for photos while sipping a drink post-fight. This kind of advertisement delved into the heart of commercial sponsorship. Mozhao planned to feature Ye Chen's likeness prominently on their beverage cans, understanding that getting in on the ground floor before Ye Chen hits his peak fame was a savvy move. Ye Chen readily accepted the offer—not only was the company known for its long-standing collaboration with UFC, but the revenue from endorsements would help elevate his profile even further.

Fast forward a week, and Ye Chen was fully healed from his fight injuries. It was time to shoot the commercial with Devil's Claw, promising a hefty reward of $100,000—net profit after the UFC takes its cut. Coupled with the nearly $200,000 he had earned from his last two fights, this opportunity thrust his total earnings from the recent match into the realm of an impressive $300,000. While he wasn't quite financially free, he felt secure—at least for the time being.

However, the advertising campaign for Devil's Claw sparked debate. The commercials were, to put it mildly, quite over the top, and not exactly in Ye Chen's usual style. But with a hot male lead, vibrant visuals, and a stunning "blonde bombshell" by his side, the commercial hit the jackpot of "vulgar yet eye-catching." After all, the target audience was predominantly male and, particularly in the lovely country, many fans were tough street types. Thus, the ads had to be outrageous, striking, and unapologetically bold.

Before long, Ye Chen's advertisement had gone viral. The overly dramatic beach scenes, featuring him vying for attention alongside two gorgeous women, drew a flood of comments that ranged from admiration to humorous critiques. While Ye Chen wanted to shy away from the idea of fame derived from such antics, his friends couldn't resist poking fun, constantly sharing memes and asking if he had any romantic entanglements with the Big Bear model.

As the days ticked by, Ye Chen began to feel restless. There had been no word from UFC regarding Chandler or Gage, leading him to contemplate a return to China. Yet an unexpected twist unfolded—just as he was preparing to book his tickets, the UFC matchmaker reached out. Chandler had agreed to a fight, set for the main event of Fight Night in two and a half months. Ye Chen's heart raced with excitement; he accepted without hesitation. This moment felt monumental, and he surmised that Dana had orchestrated this opportunity for him, confident that Chandler wouldn't have accepted without some coaxing.

Shortly after signing the electronic contract, Ye Chen received another call, this time from the UFC's promotional division. They needed him to shoot some promotional material ahead of the match, further solidifying the recognition of his rising star.

Bursting with energy and determination, Ye Chen realized that this was a pivotal moment in his career. Although he was billed alongside Chandler, a heavyweight star familiar to audiences, the UFC clearly aimed to promote him vigorously as well. The world of glowing endorsements and main event billing lay before him, and he couldn't wait to rise to the occasion.

Deciding against returning home, Ye Chen redirected his focus, diving headfirst into preparing strategies for his forthcoming clash with Chandler. He understood that the fight night spotlight was shining brightly on him—his chance to not just fight but to make a statement.

Just as he started sketching out ideas and tactics, an incoming video call from Gazi interrupted his thoughts. Ready for whatever was coming next, Ye Chen braced himself for the ride of a lifetime.