57 Dog Bet Nemesis: The Rising Stars

"Boom!"

The second round of the penultimate fight in the main event wrapped up dramatically with a well-placed knee strike. On to the next matchup!

**Co-Main Event: Ye Chen vs. Justin Gage**

As the arena buzzed with excitement, highlight reels of Ye Chen and Gage played on the big screen, igniting a wave of cheers from the crowd.

In Gage's prep room, coach Whitman leaned in close, cradling Gage's face in his hands. After a tense pause, he spoke firmly, "Slow down. Don't get caught up in Ye Chen's rhythm."

"This might be your last shot at the gold," he continued, making sure Gage understood the gravity of the moment. Gage nodded, absorbing every word.

Whitman patted him on the shoulder. "Stick to our game plan. We'll chop down his legs first, limit his mobility. Remember, keep your own pace and conserve your energy until after the third round. He's never pushed beyond a full fight, and that could be his weak spot."

"I got it, coach. I'll follow the plan," Gage replied with determination.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ye Chen was preparing as well. A familiar staff member helped him tighten his bracelet, and Ye Chen couldn't shake the feeling that this guy was keeping tabs on him.

"Feeling confident this time?" the staff asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Are you betting against me again?"

Despite tight odds, the betting community wasn't overly optimistic about Ye Chen. With fewer fights under his belt, his consistency was uncertain. Adding to that, he didn't have a team backing him, leading many experts to think he would struggle against seasoned fighters with strong support systems. If things went south, Ye Chen might struggle mentally, especially after tasting quick success.

"Oh come on!" Ye Chen snapped, feeling frustrated. "Last time before I took the stage, I asked you to replace Chandler and back me instead. Did you?"

The staff winced as the memory struck. "Ugh, don't remind me! I was so high on Chandler—who knew he'd underperform like that?"

Gambling is a tricky world; trust is hard to come by. Ye Chen shrugged, confident. "I'm winning this match. I didn't come here to lose. Just wait and see the winnings pile up."

The staff flashed a big grin, clapping Ye Chen on the back. "If you pull off the win, I know a great place with some fantastic company. My treat when we get back to the States!"

Ye Chen could only shake his head in silence. Moments later, the staff's expression turned grave. "You didn't get up to anything before the fight, did you? You know that can leave your legs shaky..."

Ye Chen rolled his eyes and walked away, knowing he was fit enough for the challenge ahead.

The Odalia audience was buzzing with energy, rivaling the enthusiasm he had experienced back in Daxia. Unlike the U.S. crowds, they treated both fighters with neutrality. Ye Chen stepped into the arena, raising his hands to acknowledge the roaring fans.

Soon after, Gage entered to cheers that matched Ye Chen's. He looked sharp and fired up, ready for the challenge.

**Live Broadcast Room Commentary**

Excitement filled the air as commentators highlighted Ye Chen's achievements. "Ye Chen is a standout MMA fighter representing China! In just over six months, he's had five matches, and this is his sixth. He finished four of his opponents in the first round—he's versatile and deserves every bit of the spotlight!"

Commentator Two chimed in, "You can see that Brother Chen looks even better today; his muscles appear to have grown since the last match!"

"Is he heavier this time?"

The live chat exploded:

[I thought I was seeing things. Brother Chen really gained muscle?]

[This ability to cut weight is impressive. Gage, Yadong, and Weili haven't quite nailed it like Chen has.]

[Of course, Gage's finesse is on display too. Let's see who comes out on top today!]

[This match is going to be epic!]

As Gage made his entrance, he executed an impressive somersault landing in the center of the ring, fueling the crowd's adoration. His athletic talent was undeniable—he often celebrated each victory with a climb up the cage followed by a backflip. Ye Chen watched, admiring Gage's skill while acknowledging his own limits. Today was going to be a battle to remember.