77 The Winner Has His Name, How Much Did You Bet This Time

There is such a thing as being overweight, which is quite common in the UFC. When a fighter misses weight, usually 30% of their appearance fee is given to the opponent as compensation—provided the opponent agrees to fight anyway. If the opponent refuses to fight due to the weight issue, they can still take their full appearance fee if they successfully make weight. Those who come in overweight face stricter penalties, as they jeopardize the event's financial success. However, most fighters opt to go ahead, especially in a headline main event, where refusing could have significant repercussions. Often, there are substitutes ready to step in for any last-minute withdrawals.

In the match between Maha and Oliveira, a fighter stepped in as a substitute; if Oliveira could lose weight successfully, he would replace Maha. After that fight concluded, he emerged victorious. Similarly, for Ye Chen and Oliveira's matchup, Fijiyev ranked sixth was the designated substitute. While backstage, Ye Chen was shocked to hear the news that Oliveira had missed weight. This scenario is not something to take lightly. Fortunately, he had made weight, and as he stepped out from backstage, reporters surrounded him.

One reporter asked, "Ye Chen, have you heard about Oliveira's weigh-in troubles? If he fails to drop weight, will the fight still happen?" If it were anyone else, a 1.5-pound overage would likely lead to a fight, considering the compensation and the rarity of main event opportunities. However, Ye Chen's situation was different. As a superstar, he wasn't bound to accept fights that didn't suit him, and Dana White wouldn't risk angering him. He could earn millions just by appearing without stepping into the ring—who wouldn't want that?

Ye Chen took a moment before answering, "There are still two hours left for Oliveira to lose weight. I hope he and his team can use this time effectively." Still, he had little hope; if Oliveira's dehydration had gone smoothly, he wouldn't wait until the last minute. Ye Chen believed that securing a win against Oliveira was most important, regardless of weight differences. His ambiguous response would inevitably spark speculation—something he seemed to welcome. After all, Oliveira had bulked up considerably recently, raising concerns for Ye Chen.

Two hours later, Oliveira once again failed to make weight, coming in at 156.8 pounds. His team claimed they had dehydrated successfully in their hotel room, but the results were telling. Meanwhile, Ye Chen, focused on hydrating for the fight, simply shook his head at the news. He recognized that Oliveira's comments were likely aimed at appeasing the public. Earlier weigh-in videos showed that Ye Chen originally came in overweight but, after shedding his shorts, hit exactly 154 pounds.

Online discussions heated up as fans furiously debated weight issues. Some commenters questioned the fairness of the weigh-in, while others defended Ye Chen's position. In various threads, fans expressed frustration and outrage, questioning UFC's handling of weight discrepancies and expressing hopes for Ye Chen to claim the victory in the face of a seemingly unjust advantage for Oliveira.

As the second weigh-in video was released alongside Oliveira's interview, both fighters' standings attracted even more attention. But it was clear Ye Chen's influence was far-reaching, easily surpassing Oliveira's. With each passing moment, news surfaced that Ye Chen had accepted to fight Oliveira despite the weight issue, generating excitement among his fans. Just before the fight, Ye Chen noted his followers had surged past 18 million, igniting his curiosity about possibly surpassing previous records.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

"Catwoman: How's it going? Is the hydration going smoothly?"

"Ye Chen: It's alright. What about you? I thought you had important things to do today."

Their relationship had grown closer since Ye Chen confessed his feelings, but there was still a distance lingering. He had imagined a celebratory evening after the fight.

"Catwoman: I'm caught up with work, it's maddening! So many tasks to handle."

"Ye Chen: Need any help?"

"Catwoman: No spoilers! I promise a surprise if you win. If not, well…"

"Ye Chen: Careful, you make it sound like I'll lose."

"Catwoman: Don't underestimate Oliveira; he's tough. Anyway, I'm busy tackling legal contracts—what a hassle!"

The following day, at the weigh-in press conference, Ye Chen was greeted with overwhelming energy as he stepped onto the stage. Dana immediately approached him, radiating positivity, and embraced him warmly. He exclaimed, "Let's kick off the pre-match press conference! Who has the first question?"

A reporter stood up, asking, "Ye Chen, there's speculation you've met with numerous movie stars and may be looking to enter the film industry. Is that a consideration for your future?" Dana's expression darkened, and he thought, Why would you ask about that? Ye Chen smartly deflected, responding, "Right now, my only goal is to secure the championship belt. I'm not one for long-term planning. My focus is entirely on the fight."

Dana appreciated Ye Chen's quick thinking. Without waiting for further questions, he directed attention back to a different reporter. Another asked about Ye Chen's decision to fight someone who missed weight and the advantages that decision might present.

Oliveira, wearing his sunglasses and red suit, could hardly contain himself. He expressed gratitude towards Ye Chen for accepting the fight while insisting he had made weight in the hotel. But he also boldly proclaimed his intentions: he would emerge victorious.

Ye Chen reiterated, "I just want to put on a show for my supporters, regardless of the opponent. Whether it's Oliveira or Fijiyev, they're all top contenders." He shared his personal struggles with weight cutting, hinting at the dangers many fighters face. Ye Chen made a joke about matching up against an overweight opponent to familiarize himself with their style, prompting laughter and applause from the crowd.

As Ye Chen finished, the crowd erupted in applause. Ye Chen could feel the confidence radiating from his supporters. Other reporters directed questions back to Dana regarding the necessity of weight classes in the sport.

Dana responded cautiously yet firmly, recognizing the fine balance between maintaining fair competition and ensuring a diverse field of talent.

Finally, back with Ye Chen, a reporter shifted gears, wondering if he felt confident facing Oliveira, noting how often Ye Chen's pre-fight predictions came true. Ye Chen was certain: "I can't predict all the details, but I do know that I want to extend my win streak to eight fights tonight."

The energy in the room surged as predictions and speculations filled the air. Oliveira interjected, boasting about his improved tactics and a "secret weapon." Intrigued, the crowd buzzed with excitement for the upcoming fight.

As final questions circled, one lashed out. "Oliveira, with your weight issue, what do you think about Ye Chen's social media posts?"

The tension escalated. Yet Ye Chen remained unperturbed. He took it in stride, focusing on the fight ahead. Silva's involvement in Oliveira's training intensified the spotlight on both fighters, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the match.

Soon, it was time for the entrance. Ye Chen looked at the staff, surprised at their disorganization. "Jackson, what's going on? Why the delay?"

Jackson insisted, "I need to ensure you're perfectly ready for this fight."

Ye Chen simply raised an eyebrow, "How much did you bet this time?"