138 Covington’s Fear: An Unexpected Attack

Covington found himself unexpectedly knocked down when Ye Chen charged with a rolling move. Surprised and instinctively putting his hands on the ground, he managed to avoid doing the splits. "Colby, be cautious! Be wary of his submission skills—get your legs out quickly!" the coaching team yelled, fully aware that Ye Chen might employ submission techniques to gain the upper hand.

Sure enough, as soon as Ye Chen rolled, he managed to entangle Covington's legs with his own. Although Covington wasn't particularly skilled in jiu-jitsu and had a mediocre submission defense, he was proficient in wrestling and had a keen sense of positioning. As he felt Ye Chen's legs wrapping around him, he quickly forced a forward roll. Despite not breaking free from Ye Chen's grip entirely, he succeeded in creating space and pulling out one leg considerably. Realizing that Ye Chen could no longer maintain control over his knee, Ye Chen rolled over but was still reluctant to release Covington's leg.

As Ye Chen prepared to stand up, he ultimately released Covington's leg, allowing himself to rise much more quickly. Without hesitation, he charged at Covington, who, with a roll of his own, was just getting back on his feet. "Colby, watch out!" the onlookers anxiously warned, as the situation escalated quickly away from Covington's corner. It was evident to everyone that Ye Chen was gearing up for a decisive move.

Halfway to standing, Covington caught sight of a shadow darting towards him, and instinctively raised both arms to protect his head. In an instant, Ye Chen delivered a devastating knee strike while still on his knees. Rather than hitting Covington's face, the force of the strike connected primarily with his frame, absorbing much of the impact. Nevertheless, the tremendous force nearly toppled Covington, who was still bent over. With a loud "bang," he crashed against the cage net in front of his corner.

Ye Chen had initially intended to follow up with a collar tie but found himself unable to secure the hold in time. At that moment, the audience erupted into a frenzy. The adrenaline in the arena surged as spectators braced themselves for the possibility of seeing a brutal confrontation unfold. Many were almost eager for the drama that could ensue; through the camera lenses and in person, they felt the intensity of that knee strike, knowing it could easily lead to significant injury. Yet, to their relief, Covington appeared to absorb the impact without severe harm, which surprised many observers.

The commentators reacted with exclamations of awe, but their experience told them that Covington was still conscious and had avoided the worst of it. If the knee strike had genuinely connected, any fighter—even one with a sturdy chin like Covington's—would have likely succumbed. "What an astonishing display!" DC exclaimed, noting Ye Chen's composure amidst the chaos. "He's an absolute machine, quick to adapt after losing a favorable position like that heel hook. That knee was lethal, and if it had landed cleanly, it would have caused real damage to Covington."

While it might seem simple to an outsider, maintaining calm during high-stakes competition is anything but easy, especially within the frenetic pace of combat sports. The two fighters had engaged in a high-intensity confrontation that, though it lasted mere seconds, demanded immense speed and instinctual reactions. Most fighters falter under such pressure and either cling too tightly to their positions or make judgment errors in the heat of battle. Yet, Ye Chen's decisiveness allowed him to swiftly transition into his next movement without losing momentum.

Rogan remarked on the precarious situation facing Covington: "He's now up against one of the toughest opponents he's ever faced. If he doesn't readjust quickly, this match might slip away from him." Realizing mid-sentence that his words could sound overly dire, Rogan swiftly rephrased, "Covington is tough—he's not out of this fight yet! He's got the grit to stay in the Octagon, but he needs to find a way to counter Ye Chen's aggressive offense to keep the first round from spiraling downwards."

Meanwhile, in the arena, Covington remained alert, yet he couldn't shake his growing anxiety. Ye Chen's skill exceeded his expectations. He instinctively pushed away from the cage to regain space, as a flurry of chaotic thoughts invaded his mind: "This makes sense; it's clear why Wusman lost so decisively. Ye Chen's strikes have real power. I can't afford to lose—there's too much on the line. I have a stake in this game, a lot of money is at risk, and I still want to enjoy life…" It dawned on him that he needed to regain his composure.

Shaking off his thoughts of doubt, Covington distanced himself from the cage, aware that being pinned against it would spell his downfall. Amidst his internal struggle, he reminded himself to maintain focus, as he rarely found himself lost in such chaotic musings during a match. The fear of losing gripped him, compounded by his realization of Ye Chen's strength and the effectiveness of his strikes, coupled with a reaction time that he hadn't anticipated.

Ye Chen pressed forward, determined to capitalize on Covington's momentary lapse. Yet, Covington, opting for agility over sheer muscle mass, had trained specifically for flexibility and endurance, enabling him to evade attacks and maintain his athleticism. Some fighters prioritize strength and explosive power, but Covington had chosen a different path—one rooted in a warrior's mindset. His desire to become a champion far outweighed any notion of bullying opponents through sheer physicality.

"Crack!" As Ye Chen closed the distance, he launched a feint jab to bait Covington into a defensive reaction. This subtle deception slowed Covington's retreat while diverting his attention. The moment the jab was issued, Ye Chen simultaneously executed a midsection sweep kick that landed squarely against Covington's waist, leaving a red mark in its wake. Blood dripped from Covington's nose, staining his mouthguard, yet he responded with a defiant grin—an apparent act to mask the impact of Ye Chen's offense.

Many fighters adopt this 'acting' technique, hoping to create psychological pressure on their opponents. By portraying a façade of indifference to pain, they aim to instill doubt in their adversaries. Yet Ye Chen remained unfazed by Covington's antics; he had already witnessed the brief flash of fear and panic in his opponent's expression. Thus, he resolved to remain relentless, denying Covington even the slightest opportunity to breathe.

Closing in once more, Ye Chen threw another jab. "Hmm?" This time, he was unprepared for Covington's counter, who swiftly ducked and retaliated. Ye Chen's instincts kicked in as he evaded a solid punch. In the ensuing moments, he recognized that the momentum had shifted. With Covington closing in, Ye Chen opted for a pendulum strike, perfectly suited for a close-range encounter.

His calculations had led him to anticipate the move, but never was he prepared for Covington's counterattack. As Covington pressed forward, he managed to land a front fist strike to Ye Chen's abdomen while simultaneously bobbing to avoid Ye Chen's uppercut. The two competitors were now locked in an intricate dance of strikes, neither willing to yield ground, and as Covington prepared to land another punch, Ye Chen felt an unsettling chill creep up his spine.