As Ye Chen spun in exhilaration, soaking in the sweet taste of victory, he heard a voice calling out.
His heart swelled with an uncontainable joy, a rush he had never felt before.
With blessings from his Salugian wrestling and ground-fighting skills, he felt invincible. The only real threat in the lightweight division was Maha—everyone else seemed like mere stepping stones for now.
Dana, unable to hold back his enthusiasm, leaped to his feet and applauded, almost laughing out loud in sheer delight. At that moment, he knew—Ye Chen was this year's star in the making, bursting with potential. He was ready to give this emerging talent the accolades he deserved.
When the Catwoman witnessed Ye Chen's triumph, she couldn't help but leap up, cheering jubilantly. If it weren't for the mask covering her face, everyone would have seen the radiant smile blooming across it. She felt an inexplicable joy wash over her in this moment. Maybe it was that solitary figure that made such a strong impression at the end of the first round. Perhaps it was the dazzling grin he had flashed her, or the way he turned to pat the cage net as a thank-you. Whatever the reason, her original purpose for being there had completely faded away.
…
After the medical staff expertly tended to his wounds, Ye Chen instinctively pulled Sarugian into a comforting embrace.
"I'm sorry," he said earnestly. "I just wanted to win. You really are an incredible fighter, and you have every right to take home a win too."
His words were clumsy, but they carried sincerity. It didn't feel fitting to say too much when Sarugian had just tasted the bitterness of defeat.
Sarugian, with a warm pat on Ye Chen's back, replied, "Your performance, both on the ground and standing, truly amazed me. I may have lost today, but I'm eager for a rematch down the line."
"Absolutely," Ye Chen agreed, determination bubbling in him. He knew that Sarugian was not the type to back down easily, but there was a lingering sense of regret hanging in the air.
The referee soon announced the results, marking the transition to DC's interview segment.
As DC stepped into the spotlight, he shook his head in disbelief, a wide smile illuminating his face. "I've never interviewed the same fighter twice in one night in the Octagon until now. You've made history with tonight's unprecedented victory!"
"What do you have to say about Sarugian? Everyone knows he is a formidable opponent, but he hasn't broken into the top rankings yet. Now that you've defeated him, the boxing community is bound to remember your name."
Ye Chen took hold of the microphone, the audience hanging on his every word. "Sarugian is a fighter I truly admire. His tenacious style and incredible skills set a high bar. I've watched many of his fights and have learned from him. But in the arena, there can only be one winner. He wanted to claim my victory, so I had to rise and defend my ground."
He paused, the weight of his words sinking in before he continued, "I've stated before that if the UFC presents me with an opponent, no matter who or where, I will face them head-on."
The crowd erupted, cheers echoing as excitement surged through the arena.
Just then, an unexpected figure entered the ring—Dana, who typically only appeared for title presentations. He quickly grabbed DC's microphone, his face lit with exhilaration. "Tonight's match was nothing short of insane! Ye Chen, you've impressed everyone with your outstanding performance, and I'm thrilled to announce that you will receive two bonuses tonight!"
Dana couldn't suppress his joy; Ye Chen had reinvigorated the sport when the numbers had begun to dwindle. The crowd's reaction was electric, and online buzz surrounding Ye Chen's remarkable achievement spread like wildfire.
After the announcement, Dana enveloped Ye Chen in a jubilant bear hug. "You truly are incredible!"
DC then took the microphone again. "Ye Chen, you entered the ring unranked, but now you've shattered into the top ten of your weight class. Who do you most want to challenge?"
Caught by surprise, Ye Chen hadn't considered this moment would come so quickly. "Um…" he contemplated, "Chandler, are you ready? Just name the time and place. They say you're the most entertaining fighter in the lightweight division. Now, after this night of four fights and four bonuses, let's clash and see who reigns as the most entertaining!"
Dana's heart raced; Ye Chen was a savvy strategist, immediately calling out established fighters with huge fan bases. Normally, he would have been averse to this sort of challenge, as stars like Diamond, Chandler, and Gage were the lifelines of the lightweight division.
Still, he admired Ye Chen's audacity. The crowd was enraptured, sensing that this fighter was destined for high popularity.
But Ye Chen wasn't finished. "And Gage, if Chandler hesitates, let's throw down! I've heard your punches pack a heavy wallop. I want to prove to everyone who really packs the most power in this lightweight class."
The audience erupted once more, drawn into the thrilling dynamics of the challenge, and Ye Chen, with a playful glint in his eye, added, "Don't worry, we'll keep it standing! No ground game or wrestling involved!"
A wave of exhilaration swept through the crowd—they were captivated, not only by the challenges thrown but also by the playful banter that filled the arena. The energy was electric, and anticipation brewed as Ye Chen boldly staked his claim in the lightweight division, setting the stage for epic showdowns to come.