As Ye Chen shifted his position, aiming to take Sarugian's back, a calculated move quickly transformed into an unforeseen predicament. In a split second, Sarugian's hand darted from Ye Chen's back to his knee joint, unleashing a powerful force that sent Ye Chen spiraling off balance.
In that instant, he was confronted with two choices: engage his opponent in a ground battle or release his grip and scramble to his feet. It was an easy decision; he opted for the latter.
Years of training had carved Sarugian's instincts into an impressive muscle memory. He was like a coiled spring, ready to anticipate and counter any slight movement from Ye Chen. The reality was harsh. Despite the countless hours Ye Chen devoted to enhanced simulation training, he was still outmatched by Sarugian's decade-long expertise.
With no time to lose, Ye Chen relinquished his hold over Sarugian's arms and propelled himself upward. He pressed his hands onto his opponent's shoulders, attempting to free his legs from Sarugian's grip. Yet, Sarugian wasn't about to let him escape that easily; with a swift movement, he stood up, locked his arms around Ye Chen's legs, and sought to topple him over.
Ye Chen planted himself on one leg, desperately maintaining his balance while unleashing a flurry of punches at Sarugian. His long reach allowed him to connect with Sarugian's face several times, but the distance diminished the force of each blow, leaving little impact. He found himself pinned against the cage, trapped in a disadvantageous position.
Without hesitation, Sarugian relinquished his hold on Ye Chen's legs, swiftly moving to grip him by the waist. The immense pressure he applied was akin to a bull charging forward, pinning Ye Chen firmly against the cage. This position was a wrestler's paradise, granting him the leverage necessary to forcefully bring his opponent down.
But Ye Chen wasn't about to go down without a fight. As Sarugian made his move, Ye Chen acted without a moment's delay. He pressed the top of his head against Sarugian's chin and wrapped his arms tightly around his neck, initiating a formidable chokehold. If Sarugian stood up straight now, he would create a dangerous opportunity for Ye Chen to counterattack.
In this moment, the heart of the battle revealed itself. Fighting wasn't just about winning; it was a brutal dance of survival, where whoever could inflict more exhaustion upon the other would emerge victorious. They were locked in a tense stalemate, each moment stretched into eternity.
Commentator Rogen buzzed with excitement, "Wow! Ye Chen is showing some remarkable resilience. I initially thought Sarugian had this in the bag, but Ye Chen has clearly stepped up his ground game since their last encounter."
DC, an Olympic-level wrestling champion, nodded in agreement. "It's evident that Ye Chen's performance has evolved tremendously. I don't think his previous struggles were mere inadequacies; rather, he was playing the long game, luring opponents into a false sense of security. If he continues like this, we may very well witness a different outcome tonight."
The crowd erupted with cheers, their collective breath escaping in a wave of pent-up energy. This wasn't just a match for them; it was a spectacle, raw emotion playfully hanging in the air. Each move, each hold, was part of a complex puzzle, where one mistake could lead to disaster.
Meanwhile, Sarugian's coaching staff, perplexed but impressed, exchanged glances. The head coach exclaimed, "What's going on? This Ye Chen isn't the push-over we expected!"
His wrestling coach chimed in, "He's displaying remarkable skill! I suspect his previous performance was a ruse, designed to catch Jima off guard. But now he's recognized Sarugian's prowess and is fighting smart."
Back in the ring, Ye Chen took a moment to steady his breathing, contemplating his next move. He could tell that Sarugian's coaches were strategizing in a language he couldn't grasp, but instincts kicked in. He needed to break free from that clinch.
Yet, in a split-second decision driven by desperation, Ye Chen made a mistake. He released his hold on Sarugian's neck, hoping for a better angle. But Sarugian seized the opportunity like a hawk. With a subtle but decisive move, he lifted Ye Chen by the thighs, yanking him off balance.
A low growl escaped Sarugian as he leaned back, attempting to bring Ye Chen down hard. But Ye Chen wasn't about to surrender that easily. Instinct kicked in, and he grasped for the outer ring arm, using every ounce of strength he had to anchor himself on the mat.
Sarugian was quick, though—he twisted and hooked one leg around Ye Chen's, attempting to gain the upper hand. But Ye Chen's instincts had him prepared. As Sarugian shifted his body, Ye Chen clutched tightly onto his rival's arm, denying Sarugian the opportunity to convert his position into dominance.
They hit the ground, elbows pressed against the canvas, both of them gasping for breath. Ye Chen tightened his grip, exerting pressure on Sarugian's left arm. In this moment, it was all about resilience and strategy; whoever could hold their ground the longest would decide the outcome of this electrifying encounter.
The night was still young, and the battle was far from over.