Wrestling, fighting, and then standing at this moment. The rhythm of the action was so intense that many viewers found themselves holding their breath, completely caught up in the unfolding drama. It's no exaggeration to say that when people are highly concentrated and on edge, they often forget to breathe, channeling their focus into the fight.
At this moment, Ye Chen was relentless. He threw a series of punches, each movement executed with precision and power. The big screen captured the intensity, making every punch appear almost lethal. Then the atmosphere shifted dramatically, igniting excitement among the audience.
In the commentary booth, DC exclaimed, "We all know that Colby Covington is a fighter who excels in combining pressure and wrestling skills. With his remarkable physical conditioning, he presses his opponents relentlessly in nearly every match, leaving them gasping for air and completely worn out. However, tonight's fight stands apart. Covington has yet to find his rhythm; he is not performing as he typically does, a stark contrast to his previous encounters."
"OH, OH, OH…" Logan chimed in, his voice laced with a touch of humor. Each time Ye Chen connected, Covington's discomfort became more pronounced. "Colby has attempted to take the initiative with a couple of counter punches, but Ye Chen stands firm, like a resilient tumbler that refuses to topple over. Look at his strikes—they're calm and decisive. It seems each time he throws a punch, he's aiming for Covington's very existence."
Bisping added, "Colby's greatest asset has always been his relentless endurance. If he can withstand this onslaught, he could still mount a comeback. His defensive skills are impressive, and he possesses remarkable agility. However, Ye Chen's fists land like precision missiles, hitting their target with unwavering accuracy. He is a genuinely formidable opponent. It's uncommon to witness such dominance from a fighter who excels on the ground and in striking. No wonder even Usman struggled against him."
Is there bias from the commentators during the match? Absolutely. As the UFC appoints them, their leanings can subtly influence audience perspective, guiding them toward their preferred narrative without overtly stating it. And amidst the fighters on the octagonal stage, there's no doubt about who the star is.
Ye Chen pursued his opponent relentlessly, moving from one side of the cage to the other, unleashing a barrage of ten punches. While not all landed cleanly, those that struck Covington's arms contributed to significant cumulative damage; after all, they weren't made of metal. Furthermore, every blow reverberated into Covington's head, adding to his discomfort.
As the cage's net vibrated with the force of the exchanges, gasps echoed through the spectating crowd. Ye Chen pressed Covington's head against the cage with his front hand and unleashed a flurry of furious uppercuts. He could feel several landing squarely, battering Covington's face. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that Covington's arms were bloodied, and drops were pooling on the mat from his elbows.
"Is this going to be the end?" This thought buzzed through the minds of the onlookers, as even the referee positioned himself closer, prepared to intervene.
"Colby, stay calm! Get out of that damn cage!" shouted Covington's corner, a cacophony of encouragement. "Don't give up! Think of the twenty million!"
The reality was that Covington's team was on edge, straining to support their fighter. They were miles away from their corner, and their anxiety spurred them to leap from their seats. Losing wasn't just detrimental to Covington; it jeopardized their financial investments.
Within mere moments, Ye Chen unleashed seven or eight hooking punches, marveling inwardly at Covington's resilience. "He's incredibly tough; how is he still on his feet?" Covington was less than a fighter at that moment; he was a man barely clinging to his resolve, struggling against the barrage of Ye Chen's strikes.
The uppercuts fell like a torrential downpour, relentless and intimidating. Each blow might lack the sheer force of a knockout punch, but collectively they wore Covington down. It's important to recognize that speed often comes at the cost of power in fighting; however, this did not diminish the effectiveness of Ye Chen's punches.
Desperately, Covington attempted to twist his body, escaping Ye Chen's grip just enough to change his position against the cage, now momentarily shielding his back. Even so, Ye Chen's strikes didn't let up. He quickly maneuvered closer, launching powerful punches through every possible opening, each hit a potential turning point in the fight.
Covington, with one hand clutching Ye Chen's waist and the other attempting to fend off the punches, was in a predicament that felt more favorable than the previous grip but still perilous. The damage was evident on his face: blood streamed down, one eye was nearly swollen shut, and multiple cuts marred his skin.
Despite his apparent struggle, many spectators found it hard to turn away from the spectacle, even as some couldn't bear witness to Covington's deterioration. He looked worlds apart from the confident fighter he had once portrayed online. The crowd, however, relished in the chaos before them; there was something exhilarating about witnessing the raw energy of combat, the spill of blood, and the clashing of wills.
"DE," Ye Chen shouted as he landed yet another punishing blow beneath Covington's arm, striking his chin squarely. The impact sent shockwaves throughout the venue, and the audience erupted in applause, feeling the weight of every connection as if they too were in the ring.
[The clamp is off; I'm being relentlessly attacked!]
[Press and punch; has Covington ever been this severely injured before?]
[Brother Chen is incredible. He's taken down two heavyweight champions in this bout. Is a TKO imminent?]
[Someone like Covington deserves a thorough beating after boasting so much; he should be crushed into submission.]
[Covington looks pitiful now—what on earth happened to him?...]
[Didn't you all see? This is the most formidable fight Brother Chen has faced. When he was chasing Covington, it was as if he intended to obliterate him with a single blow.]
[Covington couldn't even keep Brother Chen at bay; he truly dismantled his game plan with sheer force.]
[It's amusing to watch; this bout clearly outshines the previous one. That opponent at least knew how to defend himself.]
[Are we nearing the end of this round? There are still two minutes left in the first!]
[Brother Chen's grappling skills are yet unmatched; why doesn't he simply submit Covington?]
[You try and see how easy it is to submit him, forget that Brother Chen was once taken down in the past.]
As the commentators shared their perspectives, one glanced at the lively chat and interjected, "Implementing submission techniques is a challenge in this scenario. Covington possesses a strong defense, and Brother Chen is focused on a steady attack, providing little opportunity for escape."
Commentator Number Two added, "I believe Brother Chen prefers to keep dominating with strikes rather than go for a submission attempt."