63 Calling The Champion: Recruiting in the Ring with Whitman

**Backstage.**

The audience watching Ye Chen's fight was utterly speechless.

Is this truly how Flathead Gage's story concluded?

The iron-willed Gage, particularly from the perspective of Khabib, who once clashed with him, had been expected to go the distance. Many thought that Ye Chen would come out victorious, perhaps even with ease.

Yet, nobody could have anticipated a first-round knockout.

Now, Maha was preparing to step into the spotlight.

Xiaoying advised, "Focus on your current performance and get ready for your match. Given Ye Chen's tenacity, he will likely invite you for a call-out after his fight. If asked about it in an interview afterwards, don't leap to agree—observe and gauge the situation first…"

Maha nodded, a stoic expression on his face.

He is a competitor with immense mental fortitude, determined not to let the success of Ye Chen—a possible future opponent—distract him from his own game plan. With focused resolve, he aligned his mindset and braced to step onto the stage whenever called upon.

—

**On Stage.**

Gage was finally regaining consciousness, with doctors attending to his injuries.

Ye Chen approached him with purpose.

As Gage noticed Ye Chen's approach, he rose to his feet, a sign of mutual respect. The sight of Gage's battered, swollen face tugged at Ye Chen's heartstrings in the aftermath of their fierce battle.

Embracing one another, Gage remarked, "Brother, you fought brilliantly. Your style is incredibly fierce; you are undeniably one of the most formidable opponents I've ever faced."

Ye Chen reciprocated the sentiment, "You too are among the toughest competitors I've encountered. We both know there's no room for friendship in this arena...so, I wish you all the best moving forward."

Gage's warmth caught Ye Chen off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless. The post-fight exchanges can often feel awkward, as the winner's words might unintentionally sting the loser, so silence reigned for a moment.

With a firm shake of hands alongside Gage's entire team, the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

The audience roared in approval, clearly delighted by the contest they had just witnessed. They craved nothing more than exhilarating bouts, and what they got was something remarkable, encapsulating the very essence of sportsmanship. Both competitors displayed grace, shaking hands, and embracing the spirit of reconciliation.

—

Whitman interjected, grabbing Ye Chen's hand, his smile full of warmth. "Congratulations on a stunning performance; you were exceptional."

Ye Chen nodded appreciatively, "Your leg-sweep maneuver was impressive; I thought my legs might buckle."

Whitman chuckled while shaking his head in a mock display of defeat.

"I heard you don't have a coaching team yet. What are your thoughts on joining my crew? My roster includes Gage, Wusman, and Rose..."

These names were giants in the UFC world, and Whitman invoked them in hopes of luring Ye Chen on board. Unfortunately for him, all three athletes had faced setbacks over the past year. Hence, Whitman was now eager to recruit fresh talent, perhaps because his celebrated trio had suffered consecutive losses.

Wu Siman had been vanquished by Huazi, while Rose's five-round tussle with Kara had resulted in a red-faced Dana, let alone the displeased crowd. Gage had succumbed to Oliveira again only to be defeated by Ye Chen moments ago.

Indeed, the team's lackluster performance throughout the year rendered Whitman's eagerness to scout new athletes entirely understandable.

Yet, Ye Chen was reluctant to join, valuing his aggressive style over Whitman's penchant for defensive counterattacks.

"I'll consider it..." was all he managed.

Bald Ali, Ye Chen's manager, who had been observing from the sidelines, shot him a disapproving glance that seemed to convey, "Last time I asked you about joining my team, you said the same thing, and then I heard nothing from you."

Ye Chen couldn't help but give an awkward smile, all too aware that numerous teams and coaches had approached him previously, only to be met with a brush-off.

—

**Post-Game Interview.**

A pivotal component of the post-fight ritual involved calling out his next opponent. In a commanding tone, Ye Chen addressed the crowd. "Soon, beneath this very arena, there will be a clash between two undisputed champions. One day, I aspire to defend my title as a champion too. Islam, I know you're watching. Now that I've triumphed over Justin, currently ranked third, how many more top-five fighters do I need to conquer before you feel inclined to face me? You may evade me for now, but our encounter is inevitable. One day, I will wrest that championship from your grasp."

Ye Chen's proclamation was both audacious and clever, signaling that he deserves a title shot. If Maha were reluctant, he could simply let Ye Chen continue battling the elite contenders. Eventually, they would all confront each other regardless. This bold move showcased his unwavering confidence.

The atmosphere among the crowd was electric, reverberating like an electric current through the air. From the audience, Dada gazed up at Ye Chen with stars in his eyes, embodying the essence of a rising star carving his legacy.

While many saw Connor as a fading memory, it was hard to ignore that during his prime, he conquered the division with lightning speed, snatching the league's first dual championship with effortless grace. Only athletes of this caliber can ascend to true stardom.

Even though Dana might find himself reminiscing about Connor, he recognized reality—a conversation about returning to those heights was little more than wishful thinking. Yet, Ye Chen's burgeoning potential seemed on par with the ultimate newcomers of the sport.

What remained a mystery, however, was Ye Chen's plan to shoot for the junior welterweight division after he snatched the lightweight belt.

The showdown between these two titans of the ring was surely on the horizon.

—

**After the Event.**

As Ye Chen exited, the injuries he sustained were far from trivial, marking the most significant toll he had faced in recent matches. He found himself lying on a hospital bed, catching glimpses of the anticipated battle between Maha and Emperor.

As he had predicted, Maha emerged victorious.

However, in a clear display of strategy, he chose not to respond directly to Ye Chen's bold challenge. Instead, he confidently declared, "I'm prepared to fight anyone, but I require a brief respite. Soon, I will return and vanquish any challengers that come my way."