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"Hmm…ah…" Dana struggled momentarily to find the right words before confidently proclaiming, "This matchup is undeniably facilitated by our matchmakers. We all believe it promises to be an incredibly thrilling event, don't you agree? We may not force our opponents into competition, but we certainly do arrange spectacular fights."
The crowd erupted with boos. Despite the divided support for either Chandler or Ye Chen, one thing was clear: anticipation for this match was at an all-time high.
With one fighter—a relentless force who hardly ever loses in the first round—and another who can finish his opponents in a single move, the prospect of their impending clash had everyone on the edge of their seats. Could it be anything less than phenomenal? The consensus was unanimous.
"Mike, what are your thoughts on this match?" a reporter asked. "Now's your chance to express yourself openly!"
Chandler took a beat to gather his thoughts and then boldly declared, "I'm a seasoned fighter, and I've held my ground at the top of the MMA lightweight division for years. Now, I'm being asked to face a newcomer who's only won four MMA matches? It feels disrespectful, not just to me but to all the veterans still fighting on the front lines."
Chandler's words struck deep, elevating the conversation to a fierce debate about experience and respect in the UFC. Dana's neck flushed with irritation. "Yes, Ye Chen is new, but he's a powerful contender. In the last digital competition, he showcased his strength and proved he can hold his own against the strongest players."
Seizing the moment, Ye Chen interjected, "I have immense respect for every fighter. Those veterans still putting on incredible displays deserve all the honor. But newcomers need their shot, too. Tonight, I aim to prove my worth."
Ye Chen was adamant—seniority was important outside the ring, but inside, it was all about performance. As far as he was concerned, there was no room for hierarchy when the fight bell rang.
Dana ushered in another question from a rather jovial-looking male reporter—the kind who was familiar to UFC fans, particularly after being targeted by Covington multiple times. "Mike, you and Ye Chen had some kind of scuffle backstage. Care to share what went down?"
The audience buzzed with excitement, hoping to witness some pre-fight drama. They thrived on the theatrics of fighters, and this was the moment to shine.
Chandler didn't hold back. "Many may not realize that Ye Chen visited our training facility to prepare for Burns after this matchup was announced. My teammates grew suspicious, thinking he was scouting our strategies, and let's just say, my brother may have had a sharper tone than intended—which led to this small altercation."
Without missing a beat, Ye Chen picked up the microphone, addressing the crowd earnestly. "Friends, there's already a video online. Review it frame by frame. If his brother's inquiry was meant to be friendly, then my punch was simply a friendly greeting."
Dana couldn't contain his amusement. He thrived on this energy—the more the fighters engaged, the better it was for the spectacle. As if to steer the chaos further, Chandler slammed a bottle of Devil's Claw energy drink onto the table and shouted, "Then this is also a friendly greeting from me!"
With lightning reflexes, Ye Chen deftly caught the flying bottle and flashed Chandler an international gesture that sent the crowd into a frenzy of laughter.
Pointing to the drink can, Ye Chen discovered his own image on it. He held it up to the camera and quipped, "The design is great! Anyone seen my cringeworthy ad?"
The audience roared with delight, cheering for Ye Chen as he effortlessly shifted the atmosphere back in his favor. Meanwhile, Chandler seethed, feeling overlooked and frustrated that Ye Chen had turned the moment into a comedic spectacle.
"I will seek justice for my brother tonight in the ring," Chandler promised, resolute.
The next reporter, hailing from Migu—Daxia's collaborative streaming platform—asked, "Ye Chen, Chinese boxing fans are eager for this match. With over 10 million viewers already reserving their spots on Migu, do you have a message for them?"
The reporter articulated his question first in Daxia, then translated it into English.
Without hesitation, Chandler interjected, "Hello to Daxia fans! I deeply appreciate your support. I can't wait to step into that cage and deliver a spectacular show for you tonight. God bless, and let's reach the pinnacle together!" His passionate delivery ignited a wave of enthusiasm.
Ye Chen, however, countered with his own cool demeanor, saying, "I'm grateful for the attention from my fans back home. My words will come to fruition. After I defeat Mike Chandler, I'll take on one or two more challengers and then go straight for the championship. I'll take him down in the area most familiar to him and reclaim the belt for Daxia—it's as straightforward as that."
His words sent a ripple of gasps through the crowd. Could he really think he could easily handle Chandler? After all, the Eagles had proven to be a nearly unstoppable force in the MMA world, leaving seasoned fighters at a loss.
Was Ye Chen's bold declaration a signal of impending history?
As the excitement in the crowd swelled, speculation turned the tides of public opinion. With anticipation hanging in the air, was Ye Chen about to become a beacon of hope against the Eagles' reign?
Before long, the sun descended, and the arena buzzed with energy as the night of the match dawned. The competition was about to begin!