104: Weight Lifting – Challenge The Nightmare

Finally, the moment had arrived to interview Ye Chen.

DC approached with a bear hug, a testament to his continued strength despite retirement, easily lifting the 180-pound Ye Chen off the ground with enthusiasm. Setting him down, DC exclaimed, "I never imagined witnessing the rise of a superstar firsthand. When I think back, it feels like I've been the one interviewing you every time!"

"Seems like it," Ye Chen responded with a nod.

After Daredevil's loss to Chandler, he had shared something that left a lasting impression on Logan. In that moment of vulnerability, Rogan had noted that he was the first to interview Daredevil upon entering the UFC, and after that painful defeat, it was still Rogan who was there to get his thoughts.

Ye Chen understood the depth of those feelings; perhaps one day, when he retired, Logan would be the last person in the ring to witness him take off his gloves. He wondered now if DC would be the one interviewing him upon his retirement.

DC shifted the conversation, "Can you clarify the video of you accompanying Annie to dine out and enjoy yourselves before the match? Was it a strategy to distract your opponents?"

This was undoubtedly a question that intrigued all fans in attendance. A small commotion arose in the crowd; after all, gossip never fails to capture interest. Ye Chen shook his head firmly, "It's not a smokescreen. I genuinely enjoy spending time with Annie. Of course, while having fun, I also train every single day. Remember, you only see snippets of my life through those one or two-minute clips I post regularly. The rest of the time, I am focused on my training. I also showcased the results of that training in the ring just moments ago."

The crowd responded with a mix of cheers and jeers.

"Brother Chen, can you explain how you manage to stay so strong despite having a girlfriend?" someone shouted.

"That's an interesting question," Ye Chen responded. "Some people are quick to jump to conclusions. They criticize me for not being serious about my career, accusing me of drifting away after achieving success, as if their brains are made of cement. It's as if they think fighters can't have their own lives outside of training halls. Are they not content unless we're sweating it out constantly?"

"Some people go as far as equating my championship victories to an endorsement of their own paths," he added. "This match proved my skills in effective striking. I can't think of anyone in the lightweight division who poses a significant threat right now. I hope to defend my title several more times and break that lightweight record of three defenses."

"If Brother Chen keeps up this attendance rate, I'd be interested to see him rack up some more accolades," another voice chimed in.

DC pressed on: "You've achieved an astonishing ten consecutive victories, placing you third on the P4P list, an accomplishment most fighters can only dream of. Many are now calling you gifted. What's your take on talent? Any advice for the younger generation?"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, sensing an unusual shift in questioning from what he was used to. Unbeknownst to him, these topics had been strategically crafted by the UFC, aimed at building up his image and clearing up misconceptions.

He paused thoughtfully before responding, "Most who enter the UFC show a great deal of talent. I believe there are countless talented individuals around; it's just that many haven't had a chance to explore the sport. Talent may set the potential, but we've all seen too many gifted fighters fall short along the way. Therefore, I assert that hard work and discipline are equally crucial. To truly excel in a talent-rich league like the UFC, one has to put in more effort than others."

Booming applause followed, as his message resonated well beyond the confines of the sport.

DC continued, "Your match against Diamond has been referred to as one of the most amicable encounters in MMA history amongst viewers. In past bouts, you've often been known for your bold calls for competition and unabashed confidence. What changed this time?"

"I'm not familiar with Diamond," Ye Chen replied. "In truth, I have no personal knowledge of any competitors I face. I treat others as they treat me. Since Diamond approached me with respect this time, there was no need for trash talk. Just recently, Yin Jiang's wife even invited me and my girlfriend to dinner. Before and after the match, we shared a cordial atmosphere. It's not that I'm trying to alter my character—there's an old saying in Daxia, 'You respect me a foot, and I'll respect you a foot.' I am simply honoring the traditions of my culture."

Given that the competition was hosted in Daxia, Ye Chen delivered his words in a blend of Daxia dialect followed by English, which ignited another wave of applause from the audience.

"The camaraderie is palpable, yet the match itself was fierce. It looked like Diamond could knock you out at any moment!" someone joked.

"You know," another chimed in, "after witnessing Brother Chen's final combos, I almost felt for Diamond."

"This is just a competition; there's nothing to be friendly about in the ring. Unless someone fouls, it's all fair game, and if Diamond had the chance, he wouldn't hesitate to end the fight with force."

The discussion transitioned seamlessly. That's when DC pulled out his phone, ready to present the latest news regarding Wusman, which had been orchestrated as part of the UFC's promotional effort. Dana had expressed his interest in positioning Ye Chen as the next big sensation, perhaps even surpassing the likes of Conor McGregor.

The only path ahead seemed clear: a double championship title. Anyone paying attention could see that Ye Chen had yet to be defeated in the lightweight category. It wasn't that he was invincible; he had simply bested five of the top six contenders. With Makhachev's loss, he effectively claimed the top spot while Oliveira, Diamond, Gage, and Chandler occupied ranks below.

Ye Chen's position had become increasingly momentous. The only lingering competitor from the top six was the formidable Darius, who had recently lost in a title challenge. It left Ye Chen with few options—but to look down in the rankings or consider moving up a weight class.

Even now, both the UFC and Ye Chen were keenly aware: if opponents wanted a match, they would have to face the most well-known fighters in the upper echelon of rank. Beating lesser opponents would not help his growing legacy. With audience expectations tempered, ticket sales could indeed stall if he continued to tread lightly against lesser oppositions.

Reflecting on the past, Ye Chen recalled Conor McGregor's ascent from featherweight to middleweight, which garnered immense attention. Many believed he was invincible in those days. Ye Chen faced a similar crossroad; whether to ramp up his weight class was merely a matter of timing.

Regret tugged at Da, who mused that had he understood Ye Chen's potential earlier, he would have been hesitant to put him in the top-tier lightweight contests. But now, any doubts felt too late to change.

DC directed attention to the screen, showing Wusman's earlier callout message, pausing dramatically before handing the phone to Ye Chen. "Take a look. Wusman reached out to you immediately after your match. You mentioned wanting to move up to challenge for the junior middleweight title, and now that he's regained his championship belt, how will you respond?"

Ye Chen read the message, feeling a thrill at the opportunities his popularity brought him—ranked, celebrated individuals seemed eager to join his team, something he hadn't quite experienced before.

He replied with a confident smile, "Since Wusman is so keen on me taking that belt from him, I'm more than willing to step into the ring. Wusman, I know how eager you are to fight me and how intently you're watching this interview. Prepare yourself—simply arrange the time and place, and I'll be ready at a moment's notice."

The audience erupted in cheers, excitement palpable in the air. In his inaugural match of the year, he had claimed the first gold belt for Chinese contenders, and now he was on the verge of contending for the welterweight belt. It was thrilling—a meteoric rise!

Yet some fans remained anxious, given Wusman's unmatched physical prowess—some even referred to him as a "cyborg" or a "biochemical marvel." His reach posed a challenge for Ye Chen, who would face a significant disadvantage if unable to capitalize on his striking.

In an upscale villa across the sea, Wusman exploded with excitement; he anticipated Ye Chen's interview eagerly. Once he saw DC's questioning, he felt it was a golden opportunity for a lucrative payday.

"Even though I can't take down Ava, I may finally meet Ye Chen at this juncture of my career! This might save my financial future!" Wusman thought to himself. As a final flourish, he quickly posted Ye Chen's agreement on his own social media, excitement bubbling over, declaring it time for "the strongest P4P warrior to face the terminator from Daxia."

Other fighters, meanwhile, were less enthusiastic about Ye Chen stealing the limelight. The likes of Covington, Chimaev, Huazi, Motor, and Xiaoma couldn't help but vocalize their frustrations over social media.

Covington scoffed publicly, "Cyborg is going to fight that coward? You'll see him pinned against the cage! What a snoozefest this fight will be!"

Chimaev posted, "What's happening here? Am I being robbed? Ye Chen, you snatched my chance! I swear I will eat you alive in the ring!"

He was right; Ye Chen's rise meant Chimaev would no longer have a straightforward path to his own title shot—an issue he took to heart.

Others like Motor, craving a taste of the spotlight, chimed in with their hunger for a match. "Ye Chen! After beating Wusman, I expect you to fight me. I bet my werewolf title on it!" He challenged, undeterred despite his lower ranking.

In contrast, other fighters were increasingly vocal and confrontational, eager to provoke Ye Chen or profit from his burgeoning star power.

The interview concluded, and with the competition over, Ye Chen found himself at the apex of popularity. He commanded two of the top three trending stories online. The first detailed his triumph in defending his championship against Diamond, leaving no room for doubt.

The second headline heralded his potential move to a heavier weight class to challenge Wusman. Predicted uncertainty soon spilled into the front pages, with discussions swirling about whether the challenge would come to fruition.

One arthritic commenter noted, "I've been a true fan of fighting. I support Brother Chen, the unequivocal top MMA player in Asia, but Wusman is a serious threat. Maybe he should think twice it would be wise to wait until he is at his peak in a couple of years."

Another followed up skeptically, "Come on! By the time Brother Chen is finally fully matured in skills, Wusman will be almost forty! Is that any fair matchup?"

Opinions varied wildly. Many speculated the physical challenges Ye Chen would face due to Wusman's bulk, reach, and raw athleticism.

"I'm not very optimistic about this," offered one fan, postulating that if this bout became a reality, it had the makings of a mismatch given the sheer physicality of Wusman.

Nonetheless, in the aftermath of his latest victory, Ye Chen hit milestone after milestone, gaining millions of followers as the business opportunities flooded in. Recognizing the weight of agency, he felt driven to create a dedicated team to handle his rapidly growing brand.