**This is a financial battlefield.**
A battleground that has sent waves of ecstasy coursing through Dana White and the upper echelons of the UFC's hierarchy.
As of this moment, Pay-Per-View sales have skyrocketed past a staggering three million, shattering the previous record of 2.4 million. The total revenue from this event is shaping up to be nothing short of extraordinary, soaring beyond the 100 million yuan mark.
Notably, Conor McGregor, who is set to rake in an appearance fee of three million, also enhances his earnings with a 20% share of the PPV revenue. On the other hand, Ye Chen, securing a million for his appearance, is positioned with a 10% PPV share. Initially, Dana proposed a modest 5%, which Ye Chen found lacking. After a rigorous three weeks of back-and-forth discussions, the two sides finally settled on a ten percent agreement, contingent upon the event grossing over 50 million. Should the figure fall below this mark, Ye Chen's stake would revert to 5%.
Rumor has it that Conor's lucrative contract stands at a jaw-dropping 80 million, with his share structured to be 20% above that figure and 15% below. Clearly, both fighters are set to eclipse their sales expectations this time around.
"Hyped up…"
The announcer's voice reverberated through the arena as Goldman Sachs echoed his excitement. Before long, Ye Chen's signature entrance music heralded his arrival, building a crescendo of anticipation that seemed to suspend time itself.
As the beat pulsed through the venue, the crowd instinctively shifted their gaze, collectively holding their breath as Ye Chen strode triumphantly from the shadows, exuding charisma and magnetism. He paused briefly, extending both arms in a gesture of gratitude—an electrifying moment that ignited an explosion of cheers throughout the arena.
In this vibrant spectacle, Ye Chen stands not just as a fighter, but as a global icon in the world of combat sports. His Instagram followers have surged past 9 million and continue their ascent toward the elusive 10 million mark. The engagement on his platform is staggering, with 50 million viewers casting their votes on potential outcomes—over 13 million favoring a violent first-round knockout. In stark contrast, votes for the second, third, and fourth rounds dwindled to less than 10 million. Approximately 30 million enthusiasts anticipate Ye Chen defeating Conor in five rounds, fueling his relentless training and preparation in simulated environments.
Though branded a competitive match at its core, the inherent entertainment factor looms larger, promising an enthralling display of skill and strategy. Ye Chen, embracing the crowd's desires, aims to deliver an unparalleled performance that could see him reach that coveted 10 million follower count in mere seconds.
This electric atmosphere draws comparisons to the unprecedented wave of support surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov, bolstering Ye Chen's burgeoning fanbase to rival prominent figures like "The Wolf King" and Oliveira—two of the league's top contenders.
"Woooo…"
"You must dominate Conor for five straight rounds, Ye Chen! I'm your biggest fan!"
"Yes! Take it slow! There's nothing as satisfying as watching Conor's expression shift from anxiety to utter despair as the fight unfolds before him!"
"Let's go, Ye Chen!"
As he made his way down the aisle, eager fans reached out with outstretched hands, hoping for a moment of connection with their hero. The routine began—applying Vaseline, checking gloves—while, just as he removed his short sleeves, a familiar figure caught his eye.
Dressed distinctly with a cap and a mask, Catwoman stepped forth. "Let me take care of that for you," she offered.
Ye Chen smiled, surprised to see her, especially since they hadn't been in contact the previous day. "You can take it, but leave the stealing to the professionals," he bantered playfully.
What followed was a lighthearted exchange, her playful punch and quick exit only heightening the energy around him. Yet, as Ye Chen scanned the front row of the audience, his eyes widened with surprise upon recognizing sporting legends like Jagged, Khabib, Usman, and Tyson, among others.
It was a surreal moment—these colossal figures were here to witness his fight. Each friendly wave they offered sent ripples of exhilaration through Ye Chen's heart.
A staff member, who had been aiding Ye Chen with his wrist wraps, chimed in, "You might not know this, but Johnson placed a bet of one million on you this time."
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow in astonishment.
"I put down ten grand," the staffer continued. "Initially, I wanted to fully double down, but then…"
Ye Chen smirked, "Well, I'm just thinking of getting a new dog. But don't worry about the money, right?"
The staffer laughed and shook his head. "Your voting activity gave me such a scare that I hesitated to place a bet. Are you genuinely planning to take it to five rounds? Spinach even adjusted your odds after your hype."
Ye Chen chuckled, realizing how impactful his promotional stunts had been on everyone, even the betting pool's dynamics.
In a flash, Ye Chen ascended into the ring, where a chorus of "Terminator, terminator, terminator…" thundered through the venue, drowning out every sound.
The raucous crowd shifted their attention to the front row, where the "Terminator" Governor was caught on camera, flexing his impressive muscles with a confident grin.
Then came the infamous Conor McGregor.
The atmosphere surged, spiking to exhilarating heights typically reserved for a titanic clash. In a world where whiteness often reigns supreme, Ye Chen's influence was a beacon of change, representing a new era. It's remarkable how far he has come; in the past, many of Conor's opponents would have been greeted with boos at their entrances. But this time, the arena erupted with so much support for Ye Chen that it drowned out any dissent.
As Connor entered, flanked by nearly a dozen supporters, he exuded an aura of confidence. Once inside the ring, however, his demeanor shifted. Gone was the reckless bravado; he now moved with a predator's focus, all eyes fixed on Ye Chen as he warmed up with confidence.
"Connor looks extraordinarily strong this time," commented Logan, the commentator, noticing his impressive weight of over 180 pounds.
DC agreed, noting, "He's in better shape than during his last bout with Diamond. But it appears that Ye Chen remains unchanged. They're scheduled to fight at 165 pounds, so it's curious why Ye Chen doesn't look physically larger."
Spectators and commentators alike began to murmur. Ye Chen had previously fought at 155 pounds, yet there seemed to be little difference in his build for this weight class.
"Didn't you see the cheeky video he posted? He stepped on the scale and weighed in at about 185 pounds. He mentioned he's avoiding excessive weight gain this time to ensure he can still compete effectively in lightweight divisions in the future," one commentator elaborated.
Now it began to make sense.
In terms of on-the-spot weights, **Connor** should be above 180, but who could say if he matched Ye Chen's physique?
"Wait a second, if Ye Chen's weight is a solid 185, after bulking up, could he surpass 190 if he captures the lightweight title? Could a rematch against the Wolf King be in his future?"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves; there's a fight to win first!" another voice chimed in.
"Do we need to complicate that? How exactly can Connor hope to match Ye Chen? Just remember, once the bell rings, the fighter's resolve plays a crucial role.
"Don't forget Ye Chen's fierce dedication—he might truly aim to make this a brutal five-round showcase against Conor!"
The anticipation crackled in the air.
"Let's go!"
With the high-energy announcer Baffo rallying the crowd, the referee, a familiar face named He Bo, signaled the start of the match.
"Come on!"
Familiar yet reassuring, Catwoman's voice floated to Ye Chen just as their eyes met. He offered a reassuring nod, tapping the cage in affirmation as he steeled himself for the exhilarating battle ahead.
Conor, adopting his trademark stance, poised with his right hand extended forward as if preparing to unleash a fierce blow at a moment's notice, using this position to disrupt his opponents' movements.
For those familiar with McGregor, his stance served a dual purpose—not only gauging distance but also interfering with his opponent's punches. Observing several past matches, it became clear how he maneuvered to capture or impede an opponent's front-hand, deftly blurring the lines of attack and defense.
However, Ye Chen had prepared for this. Upon spotting Connor's signature stance, he shifted seamlessly into a more offensive setup, with his left hand leading—realigning his focus to snare Connor's powerful left arm.
Months of dedicated practice honed this strategical shift, ensuring he'd navigate any potential pitfalls with grace and precision.
As the tension mounted, Logan exclaimed, "Look at Ye Chen's adaptability! Has he switched his approach?"
This change caught Connor off guard. He hadn't anticipated that Ye Chen would employ dual stances—an unexpected twist.
With instincts honed for split-second reactions, Connor attempted a low sweep. Ye Chen catapulted his leg to evade the strike, leading to Connor's customary front-hand slapping mere air.
If Ye Chen had maintained his original stance, the possibility of Connor grasping his outstretched hand would have shut down any initial momentum.
The crowd gasped, cheers rising as Ye Chen swiftly capitalized, his long limbs intercepting Connor's left arm.
"SNAP!"
Landing a powerful low sweep sent Connor off balance.
Stumbling slightly, Connor immediately retaliated, dishing out a whirlwind kick to stave off further aggression from Ye Chen, though it left him visibly shaken, reeling to gauge the stability of his footing.
An electric hush swept through the arena as the impact resonated—the audience captivated by every decisive move.
DC marveled, "Look at Ye Chen's tactical genius! His front-hand maneuvering beautifully interrupted Connor's anticipated punches. Clearly, he has taken extensive time to prepare for this match-up."
At this point in the fight, Ye Chen knew the first blow represented merely a starting point—a sudden shock that could not spell victory just yet. He swiftly resumed his quest to stay engaged.
Connor regained his footing, logic guiding him: this unintentional hit had only been a matter of surprise. He wouldn't be caught off-guard again.
"Fine, you've made your mark, Ye Chen," he thought stealthily, fully aware of his need to strike strategically instead of unnecessarily engaging in a protracted brawl.
Yet, the whispers from Connor's coaching team echoed doubts about Ye Chen's power—"What was that vicious sweep? We've never seen this level of skill from him before."
Meanwhile, Connor's coach exclaimed, "He's using Gage's tactics! What kind of training has he undertaken?"
Anxiety threaded itself through the coaching staff. "There's no way he's picked this up in just three months. He's been hiding skills we've yet to see."
With a determination like no other, Connor reminded himself, "Be cautious of Ye Chen's leg work; aggressive low sweeps can destroy everything."
Both men squared off once more. Ye Chen jabbed with his lead hand while Connor expertly evaded, his reflexes and experience shining through.
"Bang!"
Connor's jab connected solidly with Ye Chen's midsection. Short-lived cheers erupted from his fans—a fleeting moment of triumph before—
"SNAP!"
Another ferocious low sweep from Ye Chen! The audience gasped at the vivid display of technique.
Connor's calf became an angry shade of red, pushing him into retreat. He lifted his fists high—not in victory but in a nod to his gladiatorial spirit, underscoring his ability to absorb punishment yet still push forward.
Onlookers noted his fluid agility; for a fleeting second, he celebrated being back in the ring, indicating he was far from finished.
Yet, the caution from his coach never waned. "Watch out for those low sweeps!"
As the exchanges continued, the applause morphed into exclamations of astonishment, roaring for Ye Chen's dynamically fierce and lightning-fast leg cuts.
Impressive leg skills complemented by height meant one thing: Ye Chen represented a formidable challenge—one that made him appear even deadlier than formidable opponents like Gage.
This match—an electrifying display of adaptability, strategy, and sheer audacity—was far from over. Ye Chen was determined to showcase that he was not just present in the moment but ready to seize the victory by any means necessary.