58 The Feast of Leg-Cutting: The Intimidating Flat-Head Sweep

Gage was keeping a close eye on Ye Chen. He couldn't help but notice that Ye Chen's physical build was quite intimidating. Standing about six or seven centimeters taller than Gage, he appeared to be stronger as well. However, Gage quickly reassured himself; after all, most of his opponents were heavier, and he was among the lighter fighters in his weight class. At his heaviest, he weighed in at 173 pounds, often dipping below 170. When he fought Oliveira, his opponent had a ten-pound edge over him. Thankfully, Ye Chen weighed in at 172 pounds—much more manageable.

Despite Ye Chen seeming bigger, he had a more defined physique, with fuller muscles creating a more imposing visual effect. Yet, he didn't appear to be at his fighting weight, tipping the scales at just 180 pounds after the weigh-in.

The host, Bafo, stepped forward for the classic announcement. "He is an MMA fighter with a proud record of 23 wins and 4 losses, known for his ferocious KOs in the lightweight division. The fighter's low sweeps are menacing, and his powerful punches have laid out numerous renowned opponents. He is a former interim lightweight champion who has challenged Khabib and Oliveira. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome crew-cut Justin Gage!"

Bafo's booming voice echoed throughout the gym, stirring the crowd, who nearly leapt to their feet in excitement.

Next, Bafo turned to Ye Chen. "And now, hailing from China, he follows in the footsteps of legends like Bruce Lee, who changed martial arts, and Jackie Chan, who redefined action cinema. With an undefeated record of five victories, he is about to take on the king of KOs. Let's give a warm welcome to the Terminator, Ye Chen!"

As the introductions wrapped up, the referee waved the two fighters closer. "You both understand the rules. No need for a lengthy explanation. Do you want a fist bump? If so, now's your chance."

Commentary from the audience picked up at that moment. Bisping remarked, "This matchup has shocked me! The side event and main event were thrilling, and now I'm looking forward to this co-main event. Given both fighters' styles, it's bound to be intense and won't last long."

Rogan chimed in, "Absolutely. We're set to witness the king of KOs against the new generation's terminator. This duel will certainly carve its name in MMA history."

DC was backing Ye Chen again, despite a history of losses on bets against him. He had come out ahead in Ye Chen's last match against Chandler and felt confident once more, even if Ye Chen was the underdog. "Even if striking isn't Ye Chen's strong suit against Gage, he knows how to protect himself on the ground. We've all seen Gage's ground game vulnerabilities."

"This clash promises to be electrifying. Both Ye Chen and Gage embody the spirit of champions, so let's get ready…" The commentary continued.

While fans hoped for a quick resolution to the fight, it wasn't reasonable to expect a straightforward conclusion in just a few minutes. Each fighter had a unique style, and while powerhouses like Black Dragon and God Soldier Romero could endure extensive bouts, that didn't diminish their strength. In the ring, the spectacle drew everyone's attention, and whether it was an endless dance like Ross and Kara's or a clash of warriors, Ye Chen and Gage were undoubtedly here for battle.

"Start!" the referee shouted.

Gage wasn't nervous; he and Ye Chen had agreed to keep it standing. Based on Ye Chen's previous performances, he had always held his ground. He felt prepared. Despite being perceived as the weakest of the Fab Five in championship matches, he fought fiercely, even lasting through the first round against Xiaoying before being knocked down. His early rounds with Oliveira showcased his striking potential, knocking Oliveira down twice within two minutes.

However, Gage recognized his struggle with maintaining confidence against strong grapplers. This time, he felt ready. As he entered the ring, he extended his hand for a fist bump, which Ye Chen obliged.

"Welcome to the leg-cutting feast," Gage said with a grin before stepping back. His demeanor shifted from friendly to fierce as he focused on Ye Chen, guarding his head and moving in closer.

Ye Chen held a significant reach advantage; yet Gage had faced similar challenges before. He recalled the Daredevil, whose wingspan was also impressive, and knew he could handle it. But Ye Chen's striking was multidimensional, showcasing both speed and precision.

Their strategy was clear: target Ye Chen's legs first.

Within seconds, they were testing each other.

"Snapped!" Gage went for a low sweep without warning.

Ye Chen instinctively raised his leg, avoiding the sweep. He had trained for a scenario just like this countless times, yet the pressure he felt was immense, as if he'd been struck with a baseball bat. He realized how perilous it was to be swept while airborne; if he'd been planted on the mat, Gage's sweep would have had far greater impact.

No wonder so many professional fighters struggled against such techniques.

Then, the moment Gage's leg connected, Ye Chen advanced aggressively, crashing into Gage and pushing him back. The impact stunned Gage, forcing him to stagger. A swinging punch followed, but it narrowly missed its intended target, only grazing Gage's arm.