54 As the Competition Approaches, Board a Special Plane and Set Off**

**A Viral Sensation**

In the vibrant world of mixed martial arts, the ever-controversial Connor McGregor lit up social media with another scathing DISS aimed at the latest crop of rising stars. His words ignited a firestorm of reactions, as he declared, "Duna, today's supernova lineup is laughable! One contender looks like a beet with a pink balloon for a head, while the other, that lumbering big guy Paddy, flailed against an elderly man like a frightened chicken. And then there's Chimaev, who got knocked out by the weight scale itself!"

But the true standout? Ye Chen. Connor likened his meteoric rise to taking a rocket train, claiming, "After dispatching a motley crew of fighters, he's now zooming into the top five!"

It's a well-known fact that Connor, despite recently nursing a broken leg, is never shy to air his opinions. Within days, his online trash-talking was once again in full swing.

The moment he posted a screenshot of Ye Chen flooring Lao Qian, Connor's caption was a classic: "Mike Chandler wants to face me? A newbie? I'll have you napping in a cage—got my arsenal updated, and my fists? They're like sledgehammers! Just wait 'til I hammer that Ye Chen down!"

Connor is the face of the UFC, a powerhouse of attention, and anyone on his radar is sure to draw buzz. He relishes the keyboard battles, aware that even without stepping into the ring, his words ripple through the fabric of the fighting community.

For Ye Chen, the situation was bittersweet. Connor's barbs felt more like a challenge than a compliment. Yes, he was amazed at how quickly he had climbed into the top five ranks, but it was due to his relentless dedication and a stroke of luck when he substituted for Salukian. The accolades stemmed from hard work, not just hype. Sure, it's impressive to leapfrog the competition, but Ye Chen knew he had the skill to back it up.

Ranking by seniority meant little when you could outfight the best. Connor's attention was a sign that other top contenders would soon recognize his potential as well. With a legion of fans behind Connor, DISS'ing him was akin to winning a lottery ticket—everyone would come pouring in to watch Ye Chen's journey unfold.

In an instant, his posts soared online. The first one racked up over 100,000 likes, while the second drew in 60,000 likes but was countered by an avalanche of dislikes, totaling more than 100,000. The comments section buzzed like a hive:

"Fake! Just stop already."

"Have you lost your mind? Don't even mention Ye Chen in the same breath as you—Salukian could finish you!"

"Connor's just blown up too big; he'll be knocked down by Bobby Green in no time."

"Ye Chen's the real deal. He's set to shine, on track to glitter like a diamond!"

"The KO from the scale cracked me up!"

"Paopao, get back in the ring with Ye Chen!"

"Seriously? You want Paopao to get wrecked again? He couldn't even pass a drug test!"

Connor kept drumming up anticipation for his return, claiming he was honing his skills and expanding his fighting arsenal to take on challengers like Ye Chen. Fans were beginning to tire of the relentless hype; many simply wanted to see him bounce back and get knocked down a peg, just for the thrill of it. Yet Ye Chen wasn't sitting idle, engaging in friendly banter with the trolls online while focusing on his training.

For Ye Chen, this wasn't merely about rivalry; it was about positioning himself for a lucrative future. Yes, money mattered, but more importantly? Fame. With popularity came perks—ones that few Asian fighters had ever enjoyed in the UFC. Before him, only a handful had broken through, with Zhang Weili standing out in women's MMA. In the men's division, Ye Chen now held the crown, following in the footsteps of the famed Korean Zombie.

The last time Zombie stepped into the octagon, he took a brutal loss against the featherweight king, a defeat that made him look like a novice. Ye Chen stood tall now, and the path was clear: he must harness his growing fame and keep pushing forward, unlocking new opportunities with the UFC and Dana White.

Dana's star-making obsession meant that while another 'loud mouth' was unlikely to emerge, the spotlight would shine fiercely on the fighters bringing in the views.

**A New Journey Begins**

"Are you really leaving tomorrow? Isn't there still half a month before the competition?" Catwoman texted, a hint of disbelief coloring her words.

"I got an invite on Dana's private jet. No reason to waste time—better to get to Odalia ahead of the competition and get acclimated," Ye Chen replied, his excitement bubbling under the surface.

"You're on the boss's jet? That's impressive!"

"We're using each other's connections. If you're free, come along and enjoy the ride."

Though Ye Chen had yet to see Catwoman face-to-face, he felt a bond growing through their texts. Based on their early chats, she seemed like a genuine fan, which made the connection even more meaningful.

"Want to hang out? Not this time—I've got work. But soon, I'll surprise you," she replied, sending a playful emoticon that made Ye Chen smile.

As the countdown to the competition ticked away, he felt the undeniable thrill of anticipation. With a week left, he was ready to take the world by storm. The journey had just begun.