032 I’m So Anxious I Could Lose My Head!

In this round, Ye Chen was a whirlwind of speed and precision, determined to seize the moment and conclude the fight swiftly. Yet, his adversary, Sarugian, was markedly more composed than in their previous encounter.

Last time, time had been on Sarugian's side; had it not been for the bell, Ye Chen might not have walked away unscathed. With that lesson fresh in mind, Sarugian was unyielding, refusing to let Ye Chen slip from his clutches. He was ready to charge in with everything he had.

"Snapped."

The sound echoed through the arena like thunder as Sarugian executed a mid-sweep kick. Though it lacked force, the clap was deafening. It was in that moment Ye Chen understood Sarugian's intention. He wasn't merely being flashy with those kicks—he was searching for an opening, a chance to unleash the pent-up energy surging through him.

But was it too much energy, or was he simply biding his time? The answer became clear as Sarugian transitioned seamlessly from a sweeping kick into a powerful dive, aiming to tackle Ye Chen to the ground.

Ye Chen barely managed to dodge the impending blow by raising his legs and retreating, determined to avoid a dangerous grapple. However, his quick reflexes came at a price. In the heat of the moment, and slick from sweat, he lost his footing and stumbled back against the cage.

Just as he braced himself to stand, Sarugian rocketed forward, crashing into him like a human cannonball.

"Boom!"

Ye Chen was slammed against the cage, lifting him off the ground as the crowd erupted in cheers. Sarugian wasn't letting up; he hoisted Ye Chen effortlessly and bulldozed toward his corner.

In the world of combat sports, controlling the space around your corner is vital. It not only keeps opponents at bay but also gives fighters the chance to receive on-the-spot advice and motivation. The audience couldn't see it all, but Sarugian's team was ready, focused on their fighter.

"Great job, Sasha!" cheered the head coach.

"Yes! Take him down!" yelled the wrestling coach.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen found himself in a difficult bind. Although he felt a wave of helplessness wash over him, he was far from defeated. He quickly wrapped his arm around Sarugian's neck, establishing a defensive posture.

Then came a loud thud as Sarugian shoved Ye Chen harshly onto the mat. The arena erupted in a cacophony of cheers and gasps.

The commentators were on the edge of their seats.

"Ye Chen, you need to ramp up your defense now! Stay low and protect yourself; don't let Sarugian gain that upper hand!" one shouted, urgency dripping from his voice.

"Don't go down! Get up, Ye Chen! You have to escape!" the second commentator chimed in, equally fervent. They were practically blasting advice as though Ye Chen could hear them.

The crowd shared in the tension, their emotions ricocheting like a pinball machine:

[What the heck? This guy with the mustache is insane! What did he eat for breakfast?]

[There's no way to combat that brute force!]

[Does it even matter if Brother Chen loses this round? Sarugian is on another level right now!]

[Come on, Brother Chen! Don't let them crush your spirit!]

[Seriously? Is this even fair? It's like a beheading waiting to happen!]

The excitement in the arena was palpable.

Despite the heavy fall, Ye Chen remained resilient. His wrestling skills served him well; he knew how to protect his vital areas. Still, Sarugian wasn't finished. As soon as they hit the ground, he cleverly pressed down on Ye Chen's right leg, ensuring he wouldn't rise again anytime soon.

"Give me your head, Xiao Sa!" commanded his coach from the sidelines, frantically urging him to maintain his grip.

But Ye Chen was focused; the instructions were lost on him amid the chaos.

Suddenly, Sarugian abandoned his hold and executed an impressive forward roll, using Ye Chen as a fulcrum. In an instant, they were back on the mat, both fighters scrambling, each trying to gain the upper hand.

Ye Chen rolled to regain his position, but Sarugian was lightning quick. With his lean frame, he barely seemed to touch the ground. As he spun back into the action, he pressed against the cage, gaining leverage, though just enough to hinder Ye Chen's escape route.

In that split second, Sarugian managed to shake off Ye Chen's grasp and locked onto his head instead. Panic surged through Ye Chen as he instinctively grabbed Sarugian's other arm to thwart the impending submission. He knew if he lost control, it could be devastating.

But Sarugian, with all his experience, was ready. Pausing just long enough to understand the situation, he leaned back with his knees, dragging Ye Chen down once more.

The stakes were sky-high as the battle continued. Who would emerge victorious? Each movement, each second counting down, the tension unfurling like a coiled spring ready to snap. Would Ye Chen rise above the pressure, or would Sarugian's strategy prove too formidable this time? Only time would tell!