45 "He Was Humiliated and Struck, and He Instantly Began to Boast"

The atmosphere in the arena crackled with tension. Chandler, his face a storm cloud of rage, found himself on the receiving end of an unexpected assault. Right from the start, there was no formal introduction or trial phase; the fight erupted as he took a heavy punch straight to the abdomen. The crowd erupted, a cacophony of cheers and gasps reverberating through the air. This was the moment Chandler had long been waiting for—to seek justice for his brothers in the ring. But to be struck so early? It was almost ironic.

Ye Chen, Chandler's opponent, had been the subject of countless simulation sparring sessions, practicing moves and strategies until they were second nature. Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the frenetic pace and sudden bursts of movement Chandler displayed. It was as if he had tapped into a hidden energy, leaving Ye Chen struggling to keep up. Chandler, standing almost a head shorter than Ye Chen, hunched low to maintain his speed—making it feel like Ye Chen was striking down at an opponent sprawled on the mat.

But Ye Chen was no amateur. The hours he'd dedicated to training paid off when he absorbed the blow to his stomach without significant damage; Chandler's initial attack lacked the punch he'd hoped for. As Chandler hopped around energetically, Ye Chen seized his moment. With a low sweep of his leg, he expertly tripped Chandler as he jumped—not a move that would knock him out, but a strategic strike that sent him tumbling to the mat with a resonant thud.

The crowd gasped. Chandler was quick to recover, rolling back onto his feet like a seasoned fighter accustomed to the ring. He had witnessed this tactic before during his spar with Oliveira, and after countless simulations, he knew the importance of timing in a sweep. Unfortunately, being knocked down like this drained his energy, and with every stumble, it became clearer that Chandler's stamina was not built for prolonged exchanges.

Getting back up, Chandler quickly moved to the side, aware he was nearing the edge of the cage. If he didn't evade Ye Chen now, he risked being cornered by his opponent's considerable reach. Though he had agility on his side, his shorter stature limited his wingspan, making his movements predictable. He had to strike decisively, capitalizing on every chance to keep the upper hand.

Just when it seemed Chandler was merely evading, he suddenly launched himself forward with surprising strength. He charged at Ye Chen with his head down, swinging wildly at his opponent's head. It was a bold move—intimidating yet reckless. But Ye Chen had studied Chandler's style closely and anticipated the attack. He leaned back just in time, evading the swing that nearly connected with his face.

As Chandler regained his balance, Ye Chen seized the chance to counter with a lightning-fast jab. "Boom!" The punch landed squarely on Chandler's nose, unleashing a torrent of red as blood gushed forth. Instinctively, Chandler stepped back, but Ye Chen wasted no time following up with a low sweeping hook. "Pop!" Chandler went down again, his body hitting the mat with an echoing thud.

Yet, even in moments of despair, Chandler demonstrated his resilience. He kicked off the canvas and executed an impressive back roll, coming back to his feet as the crowd erupted with excitement. Cheers for Chandler filled the arena, drowning out the voices of those supporting Ye Chen in the online chat.

In the virtual world, fans fervently cheered for Ye Chen, his skills garnering adoration from countless viewers. One commentator exclaimed, "Ye Chen's strategy is brilliant! He waits for Chandler to jump high before striking low—it's an exemplary display of anticipation and skill!" Another chimed in, "Incredible! Ye Chen's ability to prepare for each match and identify Chandler's weaknesses proves he's a formidable opponent! Look how he controls the rhythm of this fight!"

The comments flooded in as the fight progressed. "Brother Chen's moves are unmatched! Did you see how he dodged that punch?" one fan raved. Others acknowledged Chandler's potential, cautioning against underestimating him despite the setbacks. "Chandler may have gaps in his technique, but anyone facing him better watch out for that heavy artillery punch."

Ye Chen knew the stakes. He was focused on delivering an exhilarating performance while recognizing how dangerous Chandler could be when pushed to his limits, leaving no room for error. He maintained his relentless assault: jabs, hooks, sweeps—every move calculated to sap his opponent's energy.

But just when Ye Chen thought he had gained the upper hand, Chandler bifurcated to the side, avoiding another strike and utilizing the cage's structure to his advantage. With a sudden burst of determination, he charged into Ye Chen, pushing him against the unforgiving net, and sending shockwaves through the crowd.

The battle was far from over, and the audience was on the edge of their seats, ready for whatever came next. The intensity swirled around them, blurring the line between heroes and underdogs, proving that in the world of combat, anything could happen—especially when pride and glory were on the line.