The atmosphere crackled with excitement as the crowd erupted into a chorus of gasps and cheers. This was no ordinary night in the cage; it was a spectacle that defied every expectation. Gone were the thoughts of a quick TKO; what unfolded was a gripping display of skill and tenacity that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The commentary booth was alive with animated chatter, but the real energy came from Jima's corner team. They were practically bouncing off the walls, shouting in disbelief at their fighter's plight. If it weren't for the cage and the rules binding them, they surely would have stormed in to rally their teammate.
In the domestic live broadcast, the electric vibe was palpable. The commentator, Zonghuang, nearly lost himself in the moment. "Triangle choke! Triangle choke! Ye Chen's Jiu Jitsu is on fire!" he roared, his excitement giving way to a fervor that suggested he'd forgotten his role as a mere observer. To anyone tuning in, it sounded as if he had transformed into Ye Chen's personal hype man.
The chat was flooded with a flurry of messages that mirrored the madness unfolding in the ring.
**[Ye Chen is unstoppable! Wrap that bearded man up!]**
**[Those elbow strikes were brutal, I'm losing my mind over here!]**
**[Lock it in! Do it now...]**
**[It's not that simple! Both fighters are tough, locking in a submission is no easy feat.]**
**[Jima is in trouble! If he loses, I'll never live it down...]**
**[Forget the money! Let's rally for Ye Chen's victory!]**
Across the globe, jaws were dropping, and hearts were racing. For Jima, each passing second felt like an eternity. The searing pain in his shoulder reminded him that he was dangerously close to being trapped in a triangle choke. Just one minute and forty seconds had ticked by since the match began, yet the pressure felt insurmountable.
Desperate to escape the impending doom, Jima sprang to his feet, undeterred by the threat of Ye Chen's waiting elbow. In a bold move, he sought to break free, but little did he know that Ye Chen had more tricks up his sleeve. The rigorous training sessions he shared with Burns had sharpened his ground game, and now was the moment to showcase it.
As Jima pushed himself up, Ye Chen released his grip momentarily, sensing the shift in momentum. He knew his opponent still possessed energy reserves, but with a swift repositioning, he seized Jima's right arm, executing a flawless hanging hand roll. In a heartbeat, Jima found himself crashing onto the mat, overwhelmed by Ye Chen's weight and skill.
With mere seconds to spare, Jima felt his arm twist into an agonizing position, a cross shape that hinted at a catastrophic injury. His heart raced as the pain surged through him, but pride held him hostage. Reluctantly, he pressed his palm against the ground—ten rapid slaps that echoed his defeat.
The referee, ever vigilant, jumped in. "Stop!" he commanded, acknowledging Jima's submission. Ye Chen, ever the tactician, had reacted almost instinctively, realizing he hadn't even fully applied the pressure required for a serious injury. Some two more seconds and it could have broken the opponent's arm without a doubt.
Gasps filled the arena as the realization settled in. The crowd erupted in a swirl of emotions—cheers, disbelief, and shouts of admiration blended seamlessly, creating an electric ambiance.
Ga Zi practically leapt out of his seat, his joy bubbling over as he embraced Burns, Doss, and others in a rapturous celebration. Their heartfelt happiness for Ye Chen was palpable.
Meanwhile, the commentators struggled to contain their astonishment. "Daxia Ye Chen is phenomenal! On top of his phenomenal standing skills, he's unveiled a remarkable ground game that even his opponents likely underestimated," one commentator boomed. "His submission techniques are nothing short of impressive. It's clear he's put in countless hours of training!" another added excitedly.
"The scariest opponents are those who hide their full arsenal. I can't wait to see what Ye Chen brings next. In just two months, he's transformed into a formidable fighter, claiming two victories in the UFC—all within the first round. That's nothing short of astonishing!" they mused.
Ye Chen, filled with adrenaline, scaled the cage with unwavering confidence, perched at the top like a triumphant warrior. He surveyed the audience, his expression one of pure elation, as if to communicate, "I did it! Believe in me!"
Though some sports associations frowned upon such displays, Ye Chen had confirmed that flipping onto the cage wasn't against the rules. After all, Gazi had faced consequences for a previous misstep, but tonight was different.
As the clock struck one minute and fifty-eight seconds, Dana White sat ringside, beaming with approval as he clapped for Ye Chen. With excitement radiating from him, Ye Chen boldly called out, "I need a new opponent! I'm ready to fight anyone, anytime!"
Dana couldn't help but give a thumbs-up, the grin on his face reflecting his delight with Ye Chen's performance.
Soon, the results were announced, and the attention shifted to DC, who was ready for interviews. Interestingly, he headed for Jima first, finding him in the corner, surrounded by concerned doctors, his face twisted with pain.
"This was a tough match for Jima," DC noted. "He took a heavy blow early on and might have sustained a serious injury. Despite the odds, he displayed remarkable resilience. Let's give him the applause he deserves for the incredible fight he put on for us."
With genuine respect, Ye Chen climbed down from the cage, making his way towards Jima's corner to extend his condolences. Despite the fiery competition, Ye Chen saw this as more than just a fight; it was an honorable contest between warriors, a true test of spirit and skill.