**An Electrifying Showdown Awaits!**
"What's the meaning of this?"
Gage's sharp mind momentarily faltered as he stared at Ali, disbelief etched across his face.
"Are you suggesting I fight him? This guy seems off the charts strong, and with so few matches under his belt, it's hard to gauge what he really brings to the table. It would be much smarter for Darius or Diamond to take this one first."
The online chatter was rife with jokes about Gage's infamous cleverness, but today was different. Ye Chen's stellar performance had caught everyone off guard, and Gage never anticipated Ali would push him into the fray. It wasn't that he feared Ye Chen; it's just that, having played only five matches, there was too little information to truly prepare for him.
Gage had just faced a crushing defeat in the Championship Challenge, and the thought of losing to Ye Chen—twice in a row—was a risk he couldn't afford. His ranking and credibility were on the line.
But Ali shook his head, nodding towards Dada, who stood off to the side, clapping with an almost blissful grin.
"Look at him! I know you'd rather not take this match, and Chandler is clearly just itching for a cash grab. He's been calling out Zhen Connor, Zhen Xiaoma, and Zhen Motor like he's ready for a stroll in the park. His focus isn't on climbing the rankings—he's after a money fight. Why do you think he's interested in Ye Chen?"
"Because Ye Chen clearly has potential, and big players want to nurture him into a superstar," Gage replied thoughtfully.
"Exactly! Given Ye Chen's bold nature, he won't hesitate to call you or Diamond out. If he does, do you really think you can avoid his challenge?" Ali pressed.
Gage eyed Dada, whose silly grin made it hard to take the moment seriously.
Ali was making a valid point. Avoiding the matchup against Ye Chen wouldn't be easy—especially with the UFC breathing down his neck and pressuring him to return to the ring. It had been nearly a year since his loss to Oliveira, and the thought of dodging another battle was starting to feel like a luxury he couldn't afford.
"Fine, if he challenges me, I'll step in there with him," Gage declared, determination brewing in his chest.
This fight was destined to happen, regardless of the stakes.
---
As the interview neared its conclusion, Ye Chen took the mic, a flicker of mischief dancing in his eyes. He'd spotted Gage in the crowd, and the moment felt electric. Maha had just triumphed over Oliveira, securing the lightweight championship. A highly anticipated super fight loomed, further complicating the schedule.
With months before any title fight could happen, the elite lightweight division was packed with contenders clamoring for their shot. For someone new like Ye Chen, it meant a mountain had to be climbed—at least a place in the top five to stake a convincing claim.
And that's where Gage came in. Grinning, Ye Chen pointed directly at him.
"Justin Gage! Are you ready to accept my challenge? Your last fight was against Mike Chandler, and guess what? You didn't finish him. But I did! In our next bout, I'll be the one to teach you the true meaning of standing striking in the octagon!"
A chorus of gasps rippled through the crowd, and Ye Chen's words struck like a lightning bolt. Though he may have lacked cursing prowess, his bravado ignited a firestorm of excitement. The audacity of challenging the legendary Gage directly left everyone buzzing.
As the camera zoomed in on Gage, he shot the middle finger at the screen, a cheeky smirk plastered on his face.
"Justin! Justin!" The crowd erupted, chanting his name, their anticipation palpable. This was a match no one wanted to miss—two warriors primed for an epic showdown.
Dana couldn't help but laugh, exhilarated by Ye Chen's boldness. It had been ages since he'd seen a fighter so adept at self-promotion. And the most astonishing part? Ye Chen was managing this all on his own; no team, no agent—just pure grit.
Logan chimed in, leaning closer to Dana, "Look at the new wave of talent—Chimaev, Paddy, Honey, and now Ye Chen. Right now, Chimaev and Ye Chen are head and shoulders above the rest. Remember last time? Paddy barely scraped by, and everyone's raising eyebrows at him now. Ye Chen, though? He's a powerhouse across the board. Plus, he's still Asian; the fighting market there is just waiting to explode. If we cultivate him into a superstar, the possibilities are endless."
Dana nodded, knowing full well the potential at stake.
---
Amidst all the chatter and excitement, Gage stormed into the ring. The atmosphere crackled with thrill. There would be no official match that night, but fans were treating this as the most exciting prelude imaginable.
DC intercepted Gage before he could reach Ye Chen, ready to prevent any immediate chaos. "Gage, are you accepting Ye Chen's challenge?" he asked, curious and wary.
Gage playfully shoved against DC's solid frame. He wasn't foolish enough to throw down in that moment, but tantalizing speculation hung in the air.
"Absolutely! I've seen Ye Chen fight. He dresses like a gentleman but brings pure brutality in the cage. And honestly? I've always fantasized about battles in the Octagon. Warriors like us? We're modern-day Spartans, destined to clash in this arena."
With those words, anticipation surged throughout the arena. The fight fans knew they'd soon witness something extraordinary. The stage was set, the players ready—let the games begin!