177 Stunned, Killed Immediately

Ye Chen stepped onto the soft training mat, feeling the familiar sensation beneath his feet. When he entered the wrestling training hall, he had changed into the specially designated training attire provided by the school. Confidence radiated from him; he felt ready. After the challenging Battle of Covington, he had not squandered any time; he promptly signed up for the Covington Strength and Conditioning Program. In the aftermath of his fight with Chimaev, he meticulously analyzed Chimaev's wrestling skills and incorporated key elements into his own style. While Chimaev might not defeat him, his wrestling techniques were markedly different from those of other renowned fighters like Makhachev and Salugian.

To enhance his overall wrestling game, Ye Chen was strategically selecting techniques from various fighters. For over a month, he diligently absorbed and integrated Chimaev's wrestling skills, refining them to fit his own system. While he admitted it wasn't perfect, he felt certain no one in the entire UFC could match the comprehensive wrestling skill set he had developed thus far. Yet, as he stood poised for the session, someone from the UFC production team approached him.

"Communication is fine, but it's unnecessary right now," the individual stated. "Ye Chen was injured in his last match and should avoid strenuous exercise at this moment." Ye Chen wasn't caught off guard; this person wasn't part of the filming crew but rather someone specifically sent by Dana White to address emerging issues regarding his participation. The school, it seemed, was eager to showcase Ye Chen as their undefeated champion, but Dana's position was clear—he didn't want to risk his star's reputation in a match against students.

Although the events were distinct, the general public wouldn't scrutinize the nuances. If Ye Chen were to lose, the fallout would be immediate and harsh. He could already envision the biting commentary that would arise: "Haha, so this is the undefeated legend of the UFC? He can't even beat a student!" Or, "If Jack had entered the UFC, no one would have been concerned." They would readily question the overall caliber of the UFC, speculating about why champions could struggle against newcomers.

He understood the potential for such remarks; he had already defeated many well-known fighters, and their fervent fans were just waiting for an opportunity to tarnish his image. The moment he made a mistake or faced defeat, the criticisms would pour in relentlessly. Thankfully, Ye Chen's record stood intact, a testament to his skill in the octagon. Had he lost, the narrative would have undoubtedly shifted to questions of legitimacy, insinuating that the UFC merely sought to elevate Ye Chen's status.

Such was the burden of being in the spotlight. The school's coach eyed Ye Chen skeptically. "Really? You seem fine. If you're truly injured, then let it go," he remarked, though it was clear he didn't fully believe Ye Chen's assessment. The students echoed his skepticism. It was reasonable; after all, Wu Siman had just suffered a defeat, and now, following that, Ye Chen was set to compete—suddenly being told he was injured raised eyebrows. Such claims were always met with suspicion in the competitive arena.

Nonetheless, they could hardly voice their distrust aloud. For competitors, their bodies were the most vital assets, and a real injury could spell disaster. Yet, to everyone's astonishment, Ye Chen replied, "I'm fine. Professional doctors have evaluated me, and their conclusion is positive." It wasn't that he was trying to boast; rather, he felt a responsibility to inform his fans, who had maintained keen interest in his recovery. Just the day before, he posted a message confirming his return to full health. If he were to back out now, simply due to fear of overexertion, it would feel worse than a loss in the ring.

Stepping onto the mat, he began some light warm-ups, feeling energized and ready. He turned to his training partner, "You just competed; do you want to take a break?" Jack, with a grin, responded, "No way! I didn't even break a sweat out there…" Wusman, standing nearby, quickly coughed, feeling the underlying tension in the banter. Did Jack just imply Wusman didn't put in any effort? Realizing the potential miscommunication, Jack rapidly added, "I mean, my conditioning is great! I could keep going for thirty minutes without a hitch. I'm ready anytime!"

Nodding, Ye Chen rolled his neck to loosen up before declaring, "Let's get started." Both athletes squared off in the middle of the mat. Jack displayed an outward confidence, exuding a relaxed demeanor despite standing opposite Ye Chen. It was clear he was a seasoned competitor, having faced numerous challenges in his wrestling journey.

In free wrestling, the rules surrounding the starting position were fairly lenient—true to its name, it emphasized freedom and adaptability. Without hesitation, Jack lunged forward, attempting to grab Ye Chen's head. His speed was impressive, but Ye Chen matched him with rapid reflexes, blocking Jack's hand with finesse. Then, shifting his weight back, he created a brief distance, relaxing his arms while remaining focused on Jack's movements.

Within Jack's mind, a flicker of surprise emerged. He had competed in countless events, and few, if any, had evaded his initial attack with such skill. "Ye Chen definitely has some tricks up his sleeve…" he thought, lowering his arms while assessing the situation more carefully. Ye Chen's eyes remained sharp, narrowing as he closed in and seized Jack's wrist with precision.

Realizing that something seemed off, Jack hesitated, contemplating his next move. With such slow motions, there could be deeper intentions at play; thus, he cautiously stepped back, observing Ye Chen's every action. Just as he registered the shift, Ye Chen exploded into action, palms snapping around Jack's left wrist as quickly as a vice grip, then forcefully yanking Jack to the right.

Using the inertia, Ye Chen's powerful movement seized Jack's momentum, unbalancing him. Jack hit the mat hard, instincts kicking in as he attempted to lock onto Ye Chen's leg immediately. However, Ye Chen was quicker, maneuvering behind Jack and establishing control from the rear—a transition that was crucial in wrestling.

This wasn't a mixed martial arts bout; there were no submissions from the back or striking allowed here. Instead, Ye Chen focused on the fundamentals, catching the buckle from behind, wrapping his arms around Jack, who weighed around 90 kilograms, and executing a back throw with powerful intent. The moment they hit the soft mat, Jack instinctively fought to regain his position, channeling his strength to flip over. But Ye Chen's grip was unyielding; he held Jack firm, thwarting his efforts to escape successfully.

As Jack struggled to turn, Ye Chen pressed against him, consolidating his position with a decisive force. The sequence unfolded seamlessly, every action fluid and calculated—from the initial grip on Jack's arm to the final throw, each movement took less than three seconds to complete. The speed of Ye Chen's execution left the onlookers in stunned silence.

"Nice move!" Wu Siman was the first to give applause, breaking the momentary daze and awakening the remaining spectators to applaud. It was undeniable: Ye Chen had landed a solid takedown that showcased his skills undeniably.

All the athletes stood in awe, regarding Ye Chen as if he were a beast among men. "Isn't he just too powerful?" one student whispered. "His explosive speed is astonishing!" another marveled, noting how quickly Ye Chen had taken Jack down. "What about the moves he used? I've seen people leverage their opponent's center of gravity using techniques like those."

"Yeah, it's a mix of styles; you could call it hand-shaking or breaking grips," replied a fellow student, genuinely impressed. The collective shock was palpable not just among the students but also amongst Jack and his coaching team.

Jack, still processing what had occurred, remarked to Ye Chen, "That was incredible, but I'm not convinced just yet. I haven't revealed my true potential." Typically, one or two decisive actions would suffice in training without extending to an entire match. Yet, Jack's pride compelled him to pursue a better showing, unwilling to accept defeat without demonstrating a fuller display of his capabilities.