The moment Diamond was pinned against the cage net, Ye Chen propelled himself forward with a quick sliding step. He leaned back as far as possible, shoulders sunk low, and unleashed a powerful rear-hand punch that emanated pure strength.
"Bang!" That was the heaviest punch Ye Chen had ever thrown. Since adopting Chandler's training regimen, his explosive power had markedly improved. But much of his previous success came from grappling on the ground against Oliveira and Maha. Maha, in particular, had proven to be a formidable defender, often stifling Ye Chen's standing striking. This match, however, was finally his chance to showcase his boxing skills, and that was partly why he avoided taking the fight to the ground.
Having been thoroughly pressured by Ye Chen earlier in the match, Diamond was drained of energy and still reeling from the heavy blows to his chin. The relentless onslaught had taken a toll; after being cornered against the cage and enduring dozens of punches, his physical stamina was on the brink of collapse.
Conversely, while Ye Chen had also absorbed some punishment, he had recovered well enough to remain a relentless force in the ring, even if his clarity of hearing was still somewhat affected. His endurance, while not elite compared to other top fighters, was more than sufficient to outlast Diamond, who was faltering fast.
With a ferocious punch that shattered Diamond's "Ultrasha" hold, the impact reverberated through the arena. One could almost see the braces on Diamond's mouth shift with the force. Blood and sweat flew through the air, and it was clear that without the cage net behind him for support, Diamond would have collapsed.
Ye Chen didn't relent. He launched an array of punches that left Catwoman, watching anxiously from outside the cage, startled. The three commentators—engrossed in the unfolding drama—could barely contain their excitement.
What was unfolding in the ring was nothing short of a one-sided onslaught. The impact of that earlier punch had left a significant mark on Diamond, coupled with a precisely timed uppercut that breached his defenses. He was still fighting, his willpower alone sustaining him through the onslaught, but his physical condition had indeed hit rock bottom.
All tactical considerations had been stripped away, and what remained was a fighter's instinct, honed through years of experience. Flat hooks, uppercuts, and elbow strikes flew with precision as the flurry of strikes rained down upon Diamond, especially three thundering blows to his arm, rendering it nearly useless.
Just then, the referee stepped closer, ready to intervene. "Surrender! Admit defeat!"
It wasn't that Ye Chen was unwilling to fight; he simply didn't want to. Even as Diamond, valiantly trying to evade punishment, did what he could to block with a single arm, the referee held back his call for an end to the bout, believing there was still time left in the fight.
The crowd erupted in cheers. "That's my Brother Chen! Did you see what he just did? Such confidence!"
"He's pulling off those impressive shots like a human Gatling gun!"
"Is it really okay to be this dominant? Diamond refuses to go down, but it's incredible!"
"Brother Chen's boxing is so fluid! I've never seen anything like it in China!"
"Someone stop this fight—Diamond needs to bow out!"
"At this rate, there'll be no 'Black Diamond' left to fight!"
The audience was relentless in their support, chanting Ye Chen's name, and it was clear that Diamond had reached his limit.
With one final glance at the referee, Ye Chen communicated for him to intervene. But just then, Diamond managed a feeble punch to Ye Chen's cheek, quickly followed by a couple of half-hearted jabs. Unfortunately, they lacked the power behind them. Ye Chen hardly felt them, sensing instead that Diamond was merely attempting to push him away rather than land a genuine strike.
"Boom!" Ye Chen retaliated with a backhanded fist that struck accurately, sending Diamond into disarray.
In that moment, sweat poured from Diamond, the force of the blow distorting his facial expression as his body shook from the impact. Blood dripped down his face, and as Ye Chen watched, the spark in Diamond's eyes began to fade. He slumped against the cage net, unable to maintain his stance any longer.
Ye Chen ceased his assault, convinced that Diamond could no longer continue. The crowd held its breath in anticipation. After what felt like an eternity of silence, thunderous applause erupted as the referee stepped in to declare the fight over. Ye Chen's victory was clear-cut and decisive.
In the final ten seconds of the first round, Ye Chen emerged victorious, executing an undeniable knockout. This was a man who had long remained resilient in standing matches and had never been knocked out in years.
The implications of this victory were significant; it redefined old beliefs about who could dominate whom. Ye Chen had proven himself to be a champion in every sense. The tension in the arena was palpable as the commentators struggled to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
"Oh my God! Ye Chen has finished the match with a decisive knockout, standing against Diamond? Insane!" Rogan exclaimed, visibly amazed.
"I can hardly believe he took down a standing champion with one punishing blow in the first round; it feels almost unreal," DC added.
Bisping chimed in, asking, "Who stands a chance against him in the lightweight category? The notion of someone challenging Ye Chen seems unfathomable right now."
Across the world, reactions mirrored those erupting in the arena. Ye Chen had cemented his role as the lightweights' indisputable champion, shattering every doubt with that one impactful punch. Many believed he'd reign over the division for years.
With victory in his grasp and his hands raised in celebration, Ye Chen approached Dana, saying, "Isn't it time for a super fight?"
Dana, still recovering from the shock of the bout, realized that the company's analysts had been right about Ye Chen's potential but had considerably underestimated how he would assert it.
Back in a luxurious villa in the United States, Usman was glued to the screen, equally baffled and impressed. He had once called Ye Chen a worthy contender, but to see him defeat someone like Diamond in a standing matchup had painted an entirely new narrative.
In a burst of inspiration, he sent a photo of Diamond's KO moment, captioned, "Incredible fight! Ye Chen has proven himself as the top P4P fighter. I believe a match between us is overdue; let's give fans the showdown they crave."
As the call for a "money war" echoed, many other fighters took notice. Kamza Chimaev, watching live, joined the fray, cheekily demanding, "Give me Ye Chen—he's next. I'll take him down without hesitation!"
In the background, Covington, frustrated, recorded a video expressing his disdain, "Today's match showcased the worst of our sport. A main event starring two rookies? Really? Everyone knows I can dominate both in a single night!"
Back at the venue, Diamond took a bewildered moment to comprehend the gravity of what just happened. After a brief disorientation, he received a hug from Ye Chen, who reassured him, "We both did our job tonight."
Diamond replied, "Your performance was impressive; I couldn't believe the strength you showed."
"You held your own, too. Thank you for the fight," Ye Chen responded, extending respect for Diamond's craft and dedication.
As they shared this moment of camaraderie, the atmosphere lightened, and Diamond's wife approached, eager for her husband's interview. She quickly recognized Ye Chen, acknowledging him with appreciation, reminiscent of their shared bond in competitive circles.
Catwoman, observing the interaction, felt a flicker of jealousy but recognized the respect inherent in their exchange. The two women spoke, with Qiao Li expressing her admiration for Catwoman's work in film, leading to a few shared photos that captured the spirit of the night.
Despite the intensity of the match, the night concluded with celebrations and newfound friendships in the uniquely vibrant world of combat sports. What had begun as a fierce competition transformed into a gathering of admiration and mutual respect, uniting fighters and fans alike in the electric atmosphere of the Octagon.