51: Battle Card Formulation – A Clash of Titans?

Though Gage rarely lifts a finger around the house, his next words electrified the atmosphere, sending the audience into a frenzy of cheers and screams. Ye Chen suddenly grasped why, back in certain eras, audiences reveled in watching warriors battle it out. Here, in this arena, humanity could unleash its most ancient instincts.

Unlike the well-structured world of modern society, this spectacle invited raw emotion and primal desire. It became clear: the bloodier and more chaotic the match, the more invigorated the crowd. Fans weren't drawn by the intricacies of finely honed skills—most of them couldn't comprehend the nuances. What they craved was raw, unfiltered action.

As Ye Chen glanced over at Gage, he was surprised to see the wrestler so easily on board with the showdown. Turning towards the audience, he proclaimed, "Dana, this contest is destined to be legendary!" Essentially, if the opponent agrees to fight, the final decision hinges on whether the UFC gives the green light.

Dana White, visibly buzzing with excitement, bounded up to Gage, patting him on the shoulder. "Gage is a fearsome force! His lethal low sweeps and punishing strikes could end a fight in an instant!" he boomed. "And Ye Chen's joining in solidifies his status as the most dangerous contender in this weight class. I can guarantee no one will want to miss the clash between these two formidable fighters. Even I'm on the edge of my seat! I'll make arrangements for this showdown right away!"

The fans erupted, a wave of ecstatic cheers filling the venue. Seizing the opportunity, Gage took control of the microphone from Dana. "I challenge you to a striking match! I will avenge my brother in arms, Mike Chandler!"

A smirk formed on Ye Chen's face. As long as Gage was willing to agree, he could say whatever he liked. Gage's words clearly indicated a preference for standing trades, and Ye Chen was more than willing to comply. After all, while Gage may excel in wrestling, he had shown vulnerability on the ground, struggling against grappling experts in his previous fights.

Lost in the memory of his own frustrations, Gage had expressed a desire for a stand-up fight. It was a familiar sentiment for any competitor who had ever felt the sting of defeat.

As the fighters exited, Ye Chen emerged as a crowd favorite that night. Even as he dressed, fans flocked to him, their energy almost overwhelming. If not for the vigilant security team, he might have been engulfed entirely. He gladly engaged with his supporters, knowing that without them, he wouldn't stand a chance at mingling with big names in the sport. These ardent fans deserved his gratitude above all.

Meanwhile, Catwoman had already made her escape through a different exit. As a star herself, she understood the complexities of public attention and the challenges of leaving unscathed. But her presence here was purely to support Ye Chen—a fighter she had come to admire over the past few months. She deeply recognized his passion for the sport and the dreams he was striving to achieve.

Regrettably, she felt a pang of disappointment; Ye Chen didn't seem to notice her gestures of camaraderie. Before departing, she shot off a teasing message: "You're too hardcore! I almost believed you'd knock someone out cold. Honestly, I'm fuming that I didn't see you deliver a knockout tonight!"

…

As the clock struck midnight, Ye Chen finished tidying up and prepared to leave. But fate had other plans. He nearly collided with someone familiar backstage—a reporter from a prominent domestic broadcasting platform, who had been patiently waiting for an exclusive interview.

Although Ye Chen only recognized him from previous encounters, he admired the reporter's determination. After a brief discussion, they agreed to set a time for the encounter. Ye Chen then participated in a quick post-match press briefing and finally headed back to his hotel, escorted by the enthusiastic reporter.

…

The following afternoon, Ye Chen received his earnings from the match. The contract he had rushed into signing resulted in a fraction of what he had anticipated—just a quarter of his previous income. Reflecting on it, he realized Dana White wasn't one to part with cash easily.

With a fanbase nearing four to five million, fighters like Wolf received appearance fees topping in the hundreds of thousands. Though Ye Chen had already gained traction, he was still a newcomer and it proved challenging to secure significant compensation. Thankfully, he had locked in three fights, promising a boost in status and finances through sheer perseverance.

His performance from the night before did not go unnoticed, as his Instagram follower count surged past two million—a remarkable feat! Many fighters in the league, even champions, couldn't boast such attention. It was safe to say that Ye Chen was rapidly becoming one of UFC's most sought-after stars.

…

Three days sped by since the match, and it was becoming clear that Dana's execution prowess was unparalleled. As long as a substantial profit was within reach, he was quicker than anyone else to make it happen.

UFC 284 was set to be a thrilling event at the Odalia venue. The headliner featured Saimaha versus The Great, while Ye Chen would face off against Justin Gaethje in the co-main event. Latching onto his momentum, Ye Chen quickly reached out to Gage, and the bout was promptly booked.

When the fight card was announced, it sent shockwaves through the fighting community. Maha, the newly crowned lightweight champion, was set to compete against The Emperor for the coveted number one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Meanwhile, Ye Chen, the breakout star of 2022, channeled the thrills of the sport against Gage, a seasoned contender. With a fight card this electrifying, fans were in for an unforgettable showdown!