159 The Traditional Arts of the Great Cold, Li Zhengyong Forcibly Competes With the Porcelain

Dana continued to smile. Despite his family and personal reputation facing scrutiny recently, every glance at the PPV sales data prompted a hearty laugh. Over three million copies sold, with revenues exceeding 250 million. And keep in mind, Bitang hasn't even launched yet. He struggled to fathom just how high the numbers might eventually soar. The global anticipation surrounding this game appeared to far surpass both his and UFC insiders' expectations.

No doubt about it; Ye Chen now stands among the top five all-time box office draws, surpassing Conor McGregor. With this trajectory, it seems highly probable that his total career box office earnings will eclipse Conor's as well. How could one not feel thrilled or excited at such prospects? He beamed with satisfaction at Ye Chen, who confidently strode onto the stage, clutching two gold belts. Next, he cast a pleased glance at Chimaev, seated to his right. This event featured an exhilarating clash between two UFC superstars, a matchup that was simply fantastic.

Ye Chen waved at the audience, lifting the belts briefly before letting them drop. Initially, he intended to wear just one, considering he was the defending junior champion. However, Dana insisted he carry both to project a more powerful and commanding image. Ye Chen felt somewhat like an imposter in that moment. Dana quickly launched into an introduction for the fight, placing particular emphasis on the game time. After all, the majority of the PPV sales were coming from the beautiful country, and the time zones differed significantly between the two parties.

"The press conference has started! Whoever has the first question, please go ahead," Dana gestured toward one of the media reporters. This particular reporter hailed from a local outlet in Hanguo. "Ye Chen, as the number one MMA fighter in Asia and a two-weight class titleholder, you've become a titan in the world of fighting. Given the presence of Li Zhengyong behind you, a prodigious talent from our nation, do you credit him with your rise to prominence?"

Among the crowd, many Daxia supporters gathered in Hanguo, and when Ye Chen entered, he noticed posters custom-made for him, emblazoned with Daxia script. They were people studying abroad, working, and traveling in Dahan. At that moment, a wave of boos erupted from the audience. What was up with this reporter's line of questioning? The "genius?" who had been thoroughly defeated by a few well-placed punches?

Ye Chen clearly heard the simultaneous translation and frowned slightly. What was the issue here? "I believe my achievements stem from my own hard work rather than from anyone else. Even without Mr. Li Zhengyong in the picture, I'd still be competing against other fighters. Of course, that substitution did expedite my entry into the UFC, and I acknowledge that."

Suddenly, Li Zhengyong spoke from the back row: "I was slightly out of sorts during that competition. I ate the wrong food beforehand, which adversely affected my condition. Today, Daxia's Ye Chen and I are facing off in our home country… Ye Chen, do you dare to accept my invitation for a rematch? I believe we owe it to boxing fans everywhere to bring them the showdown they've been craving."

"Wooo…"

"We support you in a second match!"

"Haha, this is hilarious! What qualifications do you have for a rematch?"

"Brother Chen will lose if he even looks at him!"

"You're incredibly thick-skinned. Brother Chen is a champion across two divisions, and you're still trying to climb the ranks. How utterly shameless."

"Who? Boxer fans are eager for this. Who knows you?"

The audience in the cold nation naturally rallied behind Li Zhengyong, while the Daxia patrons continued to cheer for Ye Chen, actively ridiculing Li Zhengyong. Even the other fighters present were unable to contain their amusement. The Wolf King howled, "Nobody, why are you addressing me with Ye Chen? You ought to consider putting on makeup and singing. Perhaps that route would yield better results. This sport isn't meant for you."

Chimaev deliberately added fuel to the fire, his target clear to all when he referenced the boy band he had quarreled with. Li Zhengyong's opponent commented, "Hey man, your competitor is right in front of you; you shouldn't be aiming at a superstar when you don't even have a ranking!" Dana chuckled quietly. Was this kid truly so confident? Fans were indeed excited about this bout…

Ye Chen turned towards Li Zhengyong and stated, "Your opponent has a valid point. As a talented fighter from Han Kingdom, you should at the very least have a ranking." At that moment, another reporter seized the opportunity to raise a question, still from the local media fold. "Ye Chen, it's fantastic to have you compete in our country. Zombie once showcased the UFC's first tornado choke in a match. We all remember you executing that technique against Oliveira… could you give us your thoughts on Zombie? He's right there with us."

Ye Chen had noticed Zombie in attendance. The most influential local MMA fighter, the hall's atmosphere surged as soon as Zombie was mentioned. The crowd ignited with enthusiasm as Zombie's face flushed with pride. Ye Chen replied, "Zombie holds significant status globally. He is a tenacious fighter with incredible willpower. I have followed many of his matches and have immense respect for him."

"I wish him a swift recovery from his injury and a chance to delight boxing fans with a thrilling fight soon." These words held sincerity. Ye Chen genuinely respected Zombie. Despite never having claimed a championship title and having lost to the Emperor in a title contest, Zombie remained an impressive competitor within the ring. Rising from his seat, Zombie clasped his fists and declared, "I've always said I want to represent Asia and prove we are deserving of recognition in combat sports, capable of standing on the grandest stages and defeating elite opponents. I didn't achieve this… but Ye Chen did. He has triumphed over the world's best and holds championships in two weight classes. Please give him a round of applause!"

Although Ye Chen was unsure where Zombie had picked up this gesture of fist-holding, he reciprocated with a fist bump in return. An eruption of applause filled the venue. The Daxia audience joined in as they clapped along, exclaiming, "Zombies are solid; I'm a fan of this fighter."

"Zombies have style."

"Brother Chen understands the game. That's a warrior's mindset, and all the aspiring talents need to learn from that."

At that moment, a reporter who had often accompanied the UFC globally was called upon. "Kamza, how are you feeling about this fight? Betting companies currently have favorable odds for Ye Chen, and many professional fighters have expressed optimism about him. What's your take?" Chimaev, casually playing with his phone, leaned back and replied lazily, "What did you say? I'm sorry; I didn't catch that. I was just distracted with my phone."

The reporter repeated his question. Chimaev replied, "I don't consider Ye Chen a threat at all. I've heard he wants to move up in weight after beating me? I'm going to put a stop to that. I'll take him down in the ring, smash his face, and if I defeat him comfortably, I will become the first fighter to win the Triple Crown in the UFC. It's really that straightforward. You claim many are supporting him, but haven't you noticed more are rooting for me? It's common knowledge who reigns in this sport."

The crowd responded with boos. The reporter pushed further, "What strategies will you employ this time? It's well known that Ye Chen excels in wrestling. Will you stick with the tactics you used previously?" Chimaev smirked and answered, "Why not? His wrestling skills are childlike, and he was even taken down by Covington in their last encounter. I'll finish him off in the first round."