123 In a Forced Fight, Qima Emerges as the Biggest Threat?

The UFC scene is buzzing with energy. Over the past several days, athletes have been clamoring for attention—those who have risen to prominence and those still striving for recognition. Relevant media outlets are claiming that Ye Chen pocketed at least $13 million from his recent performance. With such staggering figures, how could fighters—tens of thousands strong—couldn't help but feel excited? Ten million. It's a number that 95% of UFC fighters will never see in their careers.

Of course, even if they managed to connect with Ye Chen, they couldn't hope to claim a slice of that pie. However, joining the million-dollar club seems well within reach for many. Furthermore, since Ye Chen's ascent, the visibility of fighters who've gone toe-to-toe with him has surged, along with their appearance fees. This rise in earnings is something they all prioritize. Among those fighting hard to capitalize on this, Covington, Costa, Chimaev, and Paddy have established the strongest hold.

For those who don't fall in line, there's always a message sent out for help. Particularly Covington, who has been relentlessly vocal, his tirades seemingly growing more outlandish by the day. Yet, Ye Chen has chosen to brush it off. Following that bout, there was indeed some damage—the little finger on his right hand showed signs of fracture. A few hours post-fight, it swelled up significantly, prompting Dana to ensure that the best medical care was made available. Thankfully, it hasn't become a major concern.

Meanwhile, Catwoman was busy overseeing preparations in the villa's courtyard. "It's almost ready, just a moment!" She called out to Gazi, who busied himself with the meat skewers sizzling on the grill. With the fight behind them and no need for training, Catwoman invited a select few familiar faces to honor Ye Chen's victory in clinching the secondary championship—a modest barbecue gathering to celebrate.

The attendees included Gazi, Iron Blood, Burns, Doss, and even Dana, alongside the Diamond couple who were in Vegas to witness the event. Ye Chen was a man of limited acquaintances, and Catwoman decided against inviting her broader circle, noting their lack of connect with this fighting world. Dana, keen to arrange a genuine celebration for Ye Chen—who also lacked a dedicated team or agent—decided it was finally time for action.

Naturally, the grilling responsibility fell to Gazi, who had a knack for barbecue. Though navigating the dynamics with Tie Xue and Dana could be challenging, today they put on a friendly facade in honor of Ye Chen's achievements. "Here's to Ye Chen and his future championship!" Dana toasted, raising his beer high, and everyone followed suit, lifting their drinks in solidarity.

In a light-hearted jab, Tie Xue quipped, "My good brother is hospitalized and yet here I am, celebrating with the man who put him there." The Diamond's laughter echoed, "I know the feeling! I took quite a beating from him last time and truly should be toasting to his victory right now!"

Ye Chen, dressed casually in shorts and a vest, chuckled in response. "I'm also nursing injuries, you know…," he said, revealing his bruised fingers and sore feet. Just as laughter filled the air, Burns interrupted with news of Covington's latest antics online. "Colby has lost it again," he stated, reading the inflammatory remarks flowing from Covington's social media.

The vitriol aimed at Ye Chen included claims that he had undergone drug testing twenty-nine times, implying he must have been using performance-enhancing substances. To flesh out his point, Covington included screenshots depicting Ye Chen lifting Wu Siman—presenting it as a farce rather than a legitimate contest. "This showcases how Daxia Technology outmaneuvers American technology. Steroid warriors conquering other steroid warriors? It's laughable," Covington remarked, belittling onlookers.

One particularly absurd jab was directed at Ye Chen's connection with the Diamond couple. Covington accused Ye Chen of being disingenuous and claiming ties to the Diamonds. "If he wants to rid us of rats, he should deal with Ye Chen first before worrying about diamonds…"

Ye Chen merely laughed. Engaging with Covington in a brawl was neither appealing nor practical—offering him a chance at notoriety wasn't worth the effort. Hearing this, Diamond rolled his eyes. "He needs to stop," he remarked, clearly exasperated.

Dada added, "He talks a big game, but don't let it get to you, Ye Chen. We're here to celebrate your achievements." He then reassured Ye Chen that the drug testing agency would be announcing test results in the coming days. "Just stay cool, alright?" He was clearly more anxious than Ye Chen himself, knowing the repercussions if any scandal were to arise.

"You seem more nervous than I do," Ye Chen retorted, clinking his beer can with Dana's in a friendly toast. Catwoman chimed in, "I can confirm there's nothing to worry about with Ye Chen. We see each other every day—any suspicion is sheer slander."

Jolie, Diamond's wife, fumed. "Colby's a fool; he talks without thought and aims to provoke. He's just trying to get Ye Chen riled up for a payday." Her anger stemmed from the fact that Covington had previously disparaged their family—spouting off about questionable paternity regarding Diamond's child and his marriage to Jolie in the most derogatory ways.

Covington's relentless insults evidently incited debate among his fans, with some arguing he's simply playing the heel to sell fights, while others believe his statements hold a ring of truth—an outrageous perspective, indeed. Ye Chen personally felt that there was a fine line in promoting one's game; stepping over it to target family members and friends was crossing a more serious boundary.

Selecting not to dwell on Covington, Ye Chen sought to change the atmosphere. "Dana, what's the plan for my next opponent? Who's stepping up as the next challenger?" Though he already anticipated that Chimaev was ranking first among the contenders.

When he posed the question, ears perked up, and curious whispers filled the air as everyone speculated who the next big name would be. Dana took his time, considering before answering, "All the analysts are saying that the biggest threat to you now is Chimaev."

Ye Chen nodded in agreement. He understood this threat even before defeating Wusman—given the challenges posed by Chimaev, he recognized the stakes involved. This acknowledgment wasn't solely a game of rankings; in the world of fighting, the matchups don't always translate straightforwardly.

Take Covington and Wusman, for instance—fated rivals who had a history of trading victories and defeats. A fighter who had bested Wusman had also faced a crushing defeat at Covington's hands, showcasing the unpredictable nature of this competition.

Ye Chen realized that while Wusman showcased an all-around skill set, he also had vulnerabilities, particularly in his grappling defense. In contrast, the threat posed by Chimaev lay in his strangling grappling approach—the kind that leaves little room for error. Although he faltered standing up, his ground game was formidable and frightening.

Ye Chen was constantly aware that it's not always an all-around skillset that can conquer; it's often about the adversary you face on any given day. Thus, he still fell wary of fighters who could strategize and execute a singular move with devastating efficacy.

This dynamic between skill sets had become apparent in previous encounters, yet Ye Chen was confident in his own grappling and Jiu-Jitsu abilities. Even should Chimaev find an opening to take him down, the likelihood remained that Ye Chen could retaliate unfavorably, mirroring his own previous experiences with Burns.

As the evening went on, the barbecue continued, and the laughter resumed—both in celebration of a well-won victory and an anticipation for the battles that lay ahead.