Don't wait for the UFC to take action.
Ye Chen endorsed Oliveira's news online, posting, "I need a fight! Oliveira, you've been out of the ring for too long. We need a championship belt challenger between us." In just one day, this post garnered over a million likes.
In a luxurious training hall, late in the evening, the sounds of striking echo in the empty space.
"OV, protect your head! Ye Chen's stance is solid. If you don't guard your head, you're asking for a hard hit."
"OV, I told you, don't attack. Focus on defense and look for counterattacks."
"Exactly. Forget about the aggressive approach. Right now, Ye Chen is among the best in the lightweight class. If you press him, he might opt for a defensive counterattack, using various kicks to knock you out before you even get a chance to fight back."
"Marcelo, pay attention to Ye Chen's low sweep! The one he used to defeat Connor was incredible."
"Wait, Ye Chen is calling for a fight online!"
Both Oliveira and his sparring partner paused. If Ye Chen were present, he'd notice that Marcelo bore a striking resemblance to him in body shape, wingspan, and striking style.
After Ye Chen's fight with Connor soared in popularity, Oliveira's team realized they needed to face him next. They found a sparring partner resembling Ye Chen, a professional kickboxer who began mimicking Ye Chen's style over a month ago. Now, he has perfected it.
Oliveira, wiping sweat from his brow, exclaimed, "He really accepted?" Uncontainable joy spread across his face. They had watched the previous day's fight, realizing Ye Chen's fan base had skyrocketed past 16 million, solidifying him as a traffic superstar.
He used to be seen as just another fighter trying to cash in, but now, with Connor ignoring him and Xiaoma sidelined, Ye Chen has become the new target. Ye Chen's rising popularity means fighting him could lead to even better financial rewards than facing Connor.
After being dominated by Ye Chen for five rounds, who knows how many fans Connor will lose in his next matchup? Meanwhile, countless people are rooting for Ye Chen to continue his winning streak, and many are waiting to see him fail. He has already defeated three prominent competitors: Chandler, Gage, and Nei, leading to their fans flooding the internet with hostility toward Ye Chen.
Oliveira couldn't help but think that beating Ye Chen could catapult his status to rival Ye Chen's. With that fame would come lucrative endorsements and opportunities. Even if he doesn't win the championship belt in the future, he would still make a fortune. That's why he's training relentlessly, gearing up specifically for Ye Chen.
The translator took a glance at the phone and confirmed, "Yes, he did respond to your call online." As he spoke, he translated Ye Chen's message.
"Alright, let's get to work."
After listening carefully, Oliveira eagerly pounded on the cage fence. His coaching staff, filled with excitement, watched. If Oliveira made a killing, they'd benefit too. But the head coach cautioned, "Don't get too excited, everyone. Remember how popular Ye Chen is. Fighters like Paddy are Dana's favorites, but Ye Chen is next-level."
Ye Chen's agreement doesn't guarantee Dana and the UFC will be on board too. Ye Chen's approach has primarily been as a stand-up fighter, and Oliveira knows he'll likely face that again. The coach continued, "Just because we've been preparing to face him for over a month doesn't mean it'll be easy. His style keeps evolving after every bout."
"I can't afford to lose again. If I fall short against Ye Chen, it could push me further away from the title," Oliveira responded, his eyes lighting up. "But I'll show Ye Chen a new and improved version of myself. I will shock the world and earn my shot at the title!"
With renewed energy, Oliveira rallied his training crew, and the head coach clapped his hands in encouragement: "Everyone, keep your focus sharp. We must win this match against Ye Chen!"
He then called Silva, "Hey, Silva, what are you up to? If you can, I'd like your help in preparing Oliveira for a battle that will leave a mark on the world."
Silva, known as the Spider, is a UFC legend, famous for his ability to control the fight and manage distance. These skills are precisely what Oliveira needs. After Oliveira's last loss, fans suggested a change of team, unaware that this team had helped produce legendary fighters.
As days passed, Ye Chen enjoyed a leisurely routine, even though he frequently faced injuries from training. A heavy leg kick could crack ribs even if he didn't get knocked out—but luckily, he was just advised by the doctor to take a week off.
Now that he's in the spotlight, Ye Chen wears a mask and hat when out and about. While walking through Times Square, he overheard fans discussing him.
"That Daxia boxer."
"Is he fighting again?"
"Next fight's against Oliveira. Can't wait!"
"Who's the woman with him? Bai Nvqiao? What's her deal?"
"Absolutely here for his money. Heard Ye Chen made over seven figures from his last fight."
"Seriously? That's insane!"
"It's all thanks to Connor's fame; I don't understand why top fighters won't praise our boxers."
"Depends on whether they have the skill. No praise for boxers who can't hold their own."
One of the speakers, an Asian man, chimed in, "Ye Chen earned this on his own! If your top boxers can't best him, they deserve their losses."
This conversation caught Ye Chen's attention as he glanced up at a massive screen displaying a photo of him celebrating after beating Connor. Dana's marketing brilliance was evident in promoting him. Ye Chen paused, observing the crowd. After the fans took selfies, he moved on.
He reached out to his mom over video, showcasing the crowd. "Mom, look at this!" Her response was swift; immediately, she texted back, asking who the girl was next to him.
Ye Chen facepalmed, realizing his mother was paying more attention to his female companion than his recent success. It's a familiar scenario for him; every time a woman is around, his mom is concerned about a potential relationship.
"You realize she's a staff member, right? Relax about marriage; I'll get to that when the time is right," he replied, avoiding further questions.
Before long, Islam successfully defended his title against Darius, and Dana invited Ye Chen to watch the match in Abu Dhabi. Ye Chen observed Makhachev, who fought with a level of control he hadn't encountered before—each movement exhibited careful strategy and constant progress. Once again, he felt pressure revitalizing his training.
After the match, Makhachev called out the victor between Ye Chen and Oliveira in the ring, clearly indicating that whoever won would be next for the title.
Both fighters had been announcing their upcoming bout for weeks, with everyone aware that the winner would earn a shot at the championship. Maha was quick to act, scheduling Ye Chen vs. Oliveira for three weeks post-Maha vs. Darius.
Initially, the headline event was intended to be the championship match, but Oliveira's popularity warranted the top card alongside Ye Chen's undeniable allure, ensuring their forthcoming fight would be the main event.
With the date approaching, the UFC ramped up promotional efforts. This was Ye Chen's first headline, and he couldn't afford to slip. Betting odds were released with Ye Chen at -150 and Oliveira at +185.
[E.g., odds of -150 mean if you bet $150, you win $100. +185 indicates a bet of $100 yields $185 in profit. If odds are +1000, you'd earn $1000 on a $100 bet.]
These odds were cautious. While Ye Chen had scored memorable victories, Oliveira's submission skills presented a significant challenge. The sports community buzzed with discussions, as Oliveira maintained a strong following in their home country.
Professional analysts provided their insights, some favoring Ye Chen and others siding with Oliveira. Internet debates grew. A notable video emerged depicting Ye Chen leaving his hotel without acknowledging Oliveira, sparking mixed reactions online.
"The new fame is getting to Ye Chen. He should say hi to Oliveira," some argued. Others claimed it was irrational to expect pleasantries between competing fighters, especially during fight week.
On official weigh-in day, Ye Chen stepped on the scale first, weighing in at 156 pounds. He barely made the mark, as his attempts to maximize weight loss almost backfired.
Eventually, Oliveira arrived, looking defeated. He weighed in at 157 pounds—over the limit. While fighters typically get an additional two hours to shed the weight, failure within that time means they face penalties, leaving the decision to fight up to their opponent.