The moment Maha picked up his pace, Ye Chen sensed that his opponent was preparing to strike. This was a scenario Ye Chen encountered daily in the simulation space, allowing him to anticipate actions and respond swiftly. Without hesitation, he executed a low sweep aimed at Maha's legs, predicting his next move. However, this attempt was thwarted. Maha's speed was astonishing, his legs seemingly outfitted with springs. He nimbly jumped in, executed a kick, and then recoiled back in an instant.
Ye Chen refrained from pursuing, and both fighters settled into a testing stage once more. The audience, slightly perplexed, witnessed over a minute of sparring. Eventually, they engaged in close contact. DC, the commentator, emphasized, "This is a duel between top-tier athletes; both will exercise caution until a viable opportunity presents itself. The first fighter to act may expose themselves to a counterattack. This match is an extraordinary challenge for both Islam and Ye Chen."
Logan chimed in, "They remain in an exploratory phase, but soon the outcome could be determined. In the arena, the calmest and most strategic fighter often prevails... Ah, here we go!" he exclaimed suddenly.
Within the ring, Ye Chen feigned a straight punch, provoking Maha to lean back and dodge, creating an opening. With precision, he executed a quick, low sweep that connected with Maha's inner thigh. But Ye Chen wasn't finished. Pressing forward, he attempted a front uppercut that went awry, immediately following up with a backhand swing aimed atMaha's arm.
Maha was quick to respond. As Ye Chen advanced, he countered with a well-timed punch with his front hand, while throwing a backhand punch simultaneously. Ye Chen managed to duck the front punch, while his backhand blocked the follow-up. This disrupted Maha's rhythm, slightly slowing his second punch. If not for that, it could have posed a significant challenge for Ye Chen.
Failing to connect with both strikes, Maha quickly retreated, unwilling to engage further. "It's truly challenging to land a hit on him. He is, after all, known for having the fewest effective strikes landed per minute in the league." Ye Chen once considered his own footwork flexible, but facing Maha brought this notion into question. Official statistics indicated that Maha averaged around 0.7 effective strikes per minute before their encounter.
Both fighters felt the mounting pressure. Maha struck Ye Chen's arm with a swinging punch, bringing him face-to-face with the weight of his opponent's power. Ye Chen recognized this as one of the heaviest punches he had absorbed yet in the lightweight division. If Maha connected cleanly, it was questionable whether Ye Chen could endure such a blow.
Observing Maha's retreat, Ye Chen thought to himself, "This won't do." A plan formed in his mind, and he momentarily altered his stance, widening the distance between his front and back legs. Reaching forward with his left hand, he slapped the back of Maha's front hand. To his surprise, Maha didn't react, mistaking it for yet another exchange of exploratory tactics.
After striking Maha's front hand, Ye Chen quickly grabbed his opponent's right hand. Lowering his body sharply, he launched a straight fist meant for Maha's face from an aggressive low angle. "Bang!" The punch found its mark, impacting Makhachev's cheek, though his hold remained tight. Despite the contact, Maha staggered back attempting to regain his balance.
Seizing the moment, Ye Chen unleashed a punch to his abdomen with his back hand, immediately connecting with another front-hand straight punch afterward. The combination—quick and succinct—allowed Ye Chen to strike effectively three times in rapid succession. "Islam, maintain your distance! Don't let him catch you in the head!" Kitty shouted from the corner, while the rest of the team rallied to remind Maha to remain cautious.
Ye Chen's speed and accuracy caught his opponents off guard, leaving them bewildered. This style of fighting, while reminiscent, was something that Ye Chen had not exhibited in previous matches, creating a sense of familiarity. Makhachev, now somewhat dazed, held his head while skillfully maneuvering to create space between himself and Ye Chen. Still, Ye Chen continued to pursue relentlessly, knowing a fleeting opportunity may lead to a decisive moment in the match.
As he landed the front straight punch, he aimed for a follow-up backhand uppercut, but it slipped past its target. This time, sensing he had missed, Ye Chen mentally noted that Maha had begun to recover. Acknowledging the risk of counterattack, he decided to switch strategies, opting to execute low sweeps to wrap up the combination.
However, in an unexpected twist, Maha launched himself to sweep Ye Chen's lower body, then dove to wrap around his legs. Ye Chen was momentarily taken aback, his intended sweeping motion halted. As Maha reached for Ye Chen's legs, attempting to bring him down, Ye Chen instinctively prepared a counter to bolster himself.
A crushing overhead punch landed on Ye Chen's cheekbone, momentarily clouding his thoughts as he struggled to maintain his footing. Reacting quickly, he sensed Maha's approach and aimed a kick at his knee. The blow succeeded in thwarting Maha's uppercut while allowing Ye Chen to regain a modicum of distance for some recovery.
In combat against a skilled opponent like Maha, Ye Chen realized the importance of not being greedy with his attacks. He had been cautious, ready to withdraw the moment a strike went awry, yet realizing he was drawn in by his opponent's feints.
"Wow, what an intense exchange! Every movement is dangerous when these two battle," the commentators echoed in the background. "Islam was hit several times just now. I thought he was done for, but look at how he's managed to react!"
"Makhachev is a champion honed by the likes of Khabib and his father. He has an undeniable strength; as long as he's composed, it's tough to beat him," a fervent commentator added as the energy in the arena escalated. The crowd was swept up in excitement as they witnessed both fighters engaging fiercely, exchanging heavy blows while exploring their respective strategies.
As the fight progressed, Khabib could barely watch, instinctually burying his head at the edge of the ring while others erupted in cheers. Every thrust and feint evoked gasps from the audience, creating an electric atmosphere. Even amidst the chaos, Khabib's keen instincts kicked in as he called out a warning to Maha: "Be careful, stay at a distance! Don't be overly aggressive; Ye Chen is mimicking Conor's combinations. Watch for those backhand strikes!"
Xiaoying had prepared strategies inspired by Conor McGregor. Ye Chen's stance during those crucial moments piqued Khabib's instinctual recognition of McGregor's approach, and with each successive combination thrown by Ye Chen, Khabib felt certain of his assessment.
DC, the main commentator, was also struck by the style on display. "Incredible! Did you see Ye Chen's combinations? If it weren't for his tattoos, you might think it was McGregor in the ring! He's managed to imitate Connor's signature style more effectively than Connor himself!"
Indeed, it appeared true. Ye Chen possessed a longer wingspan, youthful vigor, and in training, he consistently outperformed. His adaptation of Connor's techniques felt seamless—his precision and speed eclipsed that of his predecessor, while his execution remained grounded in an authentic fighter's approach.
Logan chimed in again, "Islam's counter was really impressive; he reacted in the instant there was a connection, showcasing the hallmark strength of a true champion." Bisping joined in the praise, acknowledging, "Ye Chen's experience is also commendable. If he had not kicked Makhachev just now, that uppercut would have been a game-ender. The tension between these two is palpable, each searching for the moment to deliver a lethal blow—akin to two master assassins."
Hearing the commentary shed light on the wider implications of the exchanges, seasoned fight fans worldwide became acutely aware of the uncanny similarity between Ye Chen's moves and those of McGregor. Speculation circulated among audiences about Ye Chen's learning curve. How long did it take him to develop these skills? Was this a meticulously crafted strategy intended to exploit weaknesses in Maha?
For the spectators, it became evident; Ye Chen's attacks had effectively caught Maha off guard, resulting in this surprising onslaught. Yet, it should be noted, this approach wasn't a specific tactic aimed solely at defeating Maha. For Ye Chen, it was second nature—integrated fully into his technical repertoire.
The previous exchanges determined the balance of power; Ye Chen clearly held the upper hand, having landed three solid punches compared to Makhachev's one. The movement of their heads exhibited some disparities; although both faced their fair share of head movement, Ye Chen's recovery rate was notably quicker.
With renewed energy, Ye Chen exploited another opportunity, landing yet another low sweep that connected with Makhachev's calf. He was cautious not to rely too heavily on kicks, mindful of his opponent's wrestling prowess. Yet somehow, he still managed to find success with this sweep, catching Makhachev off guard.
As Makhachev bent down, attempting to seize Ye Chen's leg, a quick movement followed. In an effort to take control, Makhachev aimed to pull Ye Chen down, yet Ye Chen maintained his balance and resisted. He knew the risks; engaging with a top-tier wrestler required finesse and acute awareness.
When Makhachev readied to lift Ye Chen's leg higher to prepare for a takedown, Ye Chen remained vigilant. He understood Maha would struggle to bring him down through this means, given his own physical preparedness. With focused strength, he sought to use Makhachev's weight against him, leveraging the moment to regain his footing and position himself strategically.
Both athletes exerted a tremendous amount of energy amidst the stillness, a subtle yet fierce battle raged beneath the surface. Each was psychologically aware that yielding first dictated the outcome. The fight wasn't just a test of physical prowess; it was a mental chess match; every moment of judicious calculation mattered.
In a sudden turn, Maha released some pressure, sensing a moment of vulnerability. Ye Chen saw the area of opportunity and seized it, striking back with a knee to the stomach. The response from the outside seemed inconsequential, yet a focused determination signified otherwise.
Maha closed the gap once more, trapping Ye Chen in close quarters. Within this condensed space, maneuvering legs became increasingly complicated. With only a short distance to operate, the task of leveraging power became a game of inches. Ye Chen managed to maintain a semblance of retaliation, skillfully managing his actions.
As the two grappled, Makhachev prepared for what was distinctly a signature move of his, aiming to trip Ye Chen—a tactic many had fallen victim to before. Shifting to act, Makhachev attempted to exploit his capability as the two fighters locked into calculus; each maneuver competing against the other.
But the battle wasn't solely about positioning. It was an instinctive clash where quick thinking could spell disaster or victory. Almost in a flash, Ye Chen thrust his left arm against Makhachev's shoulder, simultaneously sweeping him further away while showcasing his agility and awareness. The unexpected reversal had Makhachev tumbling to the canvas, the impact audible across the arena.
The momentum shifted dramatically. The crowd erupted, electrified by the turn of events. It was an image many never anticipated, yet it was undeniably real. The screen captured the action, confirming the audacity of Ye Chen's maneuvers, illustrating his superiority in this pivotal moment.
Skepticism transformed into awe among the audience; Ye Chen's ability to exploit the opportunity against a seasoned fighter like Makhachev left everyone speechless. Xiaoying and the cousins cheered, a mix of worry and excitement coloring their voices, while Mendes stared in disbelief, an array of emotions reflected in his expression.
In the world of mixed martial arts, moments like these carve names into history; this encounter was destined to be remembered. And there, amid the echoing cheers and pulsating energy, Ye Chen and Maha continued their struggle, representing the embodiment of skill, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of true champions.