In addition, Ye Chen was invited by Yangshi for an in-person interview. This time, PPV sales easily surpassed one million, even exceeding the figures from the third battle between Conor and Diamond. The PPV revenue topped 40 million dollars, with the total amount raised reaching over six million, and inching closer to seven million. Alongside his 1.5 million appearance fee and 1.5 million winning bonus, his income from bonuses and other miscellaneous sources shattered the ten-million-dollar mark.
Moreover, his Instagram followers are now almost on par with Khabib's, having reached 34 million. Nevertheless, the greatest gain from this experience lies in the "critical hit" copies obtained from simulated space.
[Dustin Poirier technical system copy, please select.]
[One, punch technique.]
[Two, leg skills.]
[Three, anti-fall tactics.]
[Four, Jiu Jitsu.]
Ye Chen opted for boxing without a moment's hesitation, reassured that he wouldn't need to worry about the others. He was unable to utilize them, and Diamond's punching capabilities stood out remarkably, reminiscent of Gage's low sweep. Even in the hotel room, Ye Chen couldn't resist throwing a few air punches, sensing that his standing skills had improved yet again. It is important to note that he hasn't even merged the diamond striking system with his own yet. Once mastered, significant advancements can be expected.
"You still have the energy to box? How about joining me for a shower then? Are you a little scared..." Catwoman sauntered out of the bathroom in a nightgown, towel in hand, and flashed a playful smile at the airborne Ye Chen. "Joining you for a shower? It won't be as simple as that!" Ye Chen remarked, showcasing his muscular physique. "Also, you can't call it being scared when I have this body..."
With plans to return to his hometown soon, he added, "I need to get home, though; I don't want to be late." Ye Chen was determined, especially with his impending fight against Wusman—his next destination being the beautiful country. The "640 Office" there operates as a ticketing powerhouse, making it impossible for him to contest against Wu Siman in Daxia. Consequently, it was crucial for him to arrive early—to bulk up and gain muscle while he prepared.
While Ye Chen focused on returning home, Dana was busy coordinating video conferences with company executives in the beautiful country. There were primarily two significant topics of discussion: the upcoming competition and, more crucially, the ramifications of Ye Chen's promotion. Dana pondered significantly, scrutinizing the faces on the screen, and finally posed a question: "What are your opinions on the outcomes of these two competitors? And how about the box office expectations?"
One of the attendees, a man in his thirties with glasses, flipped through his folder and replied, "Based on statistics from the past three days, audience anticipation for this match is exceptionally high. A considerable number of fans are eager to see Wusman end Ye Chen's winning streak. Conversely, others are convinced that Ye Chen's physical prowess will lead him to victory in the lightweight division. For instance, during his match with Diamond, many bloggers speculated that Ye Chen was at least ten centimeters taller than him, with an eight-centimeter longer wingspan—a significant edge. A significant factor is that he is not our beautiful Chinese; many believe no Daxia native should claim the championship so seemingly effortlessly. The fans expect a hero from the beautiful country to dethrone him. Currently, Wusman's approval rating is at an all-time high as many look forward to him putting an end to Ye Chen's run."
Dana scoffed at this, "They clearly don't understand the sport; ignore them. What do our professional analysts have to say?"
"We've aggregated opinions from some industry analysts within the company and external media. About 40% are leaning towards Wusman, while 30% think it's wise to hold off further analysis until we can evaluate Ye Chen's muscle and weight status post-schedule confirmation. The remaining 30% feel Ye Chen has the upper hand and can defeat Wu Siman."
Dana frowned slightly upon hearing this. Everyone seemed to favor Ye Chen after his match against Diamond, and opinions had similarly leaned toward Makhachev post his bout with Ye Chen. However, it was crucial to note that Wusman had suffered defeat once previously, which can weigh heavily when strategizing against fresh opponents. Khabib's undefeated record left mystery in his strategies, while Ye Chen's victory over Makhachev unveiled some vulnerabilities.
Before Wusman's loss, his anti-fall skills were believed to be impenetrable, yet Ye Chen had exposed gaps in this armor, proving that he wasn't as infallible as he'd seemed. This fact also applied to Ye Chen himself; experience and strategy could still yield valuable insights regardless of previous successes.
Dana contemplated, "Yet this match can't be postponed any further. Ye Chen has no rivals in the lightweight class, and for the sake of maintaining his popularity… it's best we engage the matchmaker to work out the terms with Wu Siman. We'll finalize details later."
Soon after the meeting concluded, Dana reached out to Ye Chen. "Ye Chen, we've initiated promotions for your match against Wusman. How do you feel about it?" Ye Chen chuckled upon hearing the news. He had anticipated this bout would materialize and felt assured about it; he was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the information spread.
"No problem at all; this is precisely the match I need right now." Dana faltered slightly, "Then you should prepare actively for the competition. By the way, what are your plans regarding gaining muscle and weight? Without your own team or even a nutritionist, that's quite a setback. Why don't you consider heading back to the beautiful country together? The elite training center in Vegas is equipped with professionals in rehabilitation and nutrition—you could benefit immensely from that."
Dana's concern was evident, but Ye Chen replied, "I'm en route back to my hometown as we speak. I'm at the airport and will be heading to the beautiful country in a few days."
"Perfect," Dana said, visibly relieved. "I need to deal with some matters here in Daxia, but when the time comes, let's travel together. You won't ditch me, right?" Ye Chen laughed, "Don't worry; you're the boss. I wouldn't dare!"
"Ye Chen, don't joke around—we're partners and friends, not boss and subordinate," Dana protested.
Upon returning home, Ye Chen found Catwoman's lively demeanor with his family to be as familiar as ever, their rapport still strong. This time, however, Ye Chen sensed he had finally become a true celebrity. After all, Yangshi had aired his match for free, leading to widespread recognition. Adding to this was the revelation that Ye Chen was dating a foreign celebrity, something most people wouldn't expect, and that made him even more admirable in their eyes.
As Ye Chen and Catwoman prepared to depart, many people gathered from the county, town, and beyond. He had become a source of inspiration and pride for many, especially in areas where an interview with SheepTV could boost one's standing. Following Ye Chen's rise to fame, there was a noticeable change in how his father held himself—an increase in confidence that mirrored the self-assuredness seen in wealthier individuals. However, Ye Chen cared little about appearances, focusing instead on his parents' well-being and happiness. That was what truly mattered to him.
While he traveled, the UFC headquarters strategically leaked details about the match card between Ye Chen and Wusman to various media outlets. An official announcement and solid confirmation were all that were required to set the rumors ablaze. Dana, sitting next to Ye Chen and Catwoman, shared, "Let's tease out some news to selected media, allowing them to build hype and anticipation. We'll share additional updates around the same time. If we drop everything at once, it becomes challenging to maintain the excitement."
Catwoman smirked, "I had no idea the fight world operated in such a similar fashion; you all certainly know how to create buzz."
Dana grinned, "Only the best for your future husband!"
"Isn't it also about making money?" Catwoman questioned wittily. Ye Chen embraced Catwoman, chuckling at the playful banter unfolding.
Dana hesitated, reconsidering his stance. Digging deeper, there was a ring of truth to Catwoman's words. "It's not just about me profiting; it's about everyone benefiting. Ye Chen is currently the highest-paid athlete in the league."
With Connor's decreasing frequency in the ring, his earnings dwindled in comparison to Ye Chen's. Dana knew how envious others were of Ye Chen's ascent in the sport.
"This is what Ye Chen has earned; he's put in the hours in the ring. If he didn't have this kind of value, would you be compensating him so well?" Catwoman challenged. "Honestly, be generous! Grant Ye Chen a 20% share for the next match."
Catwoman had cleverly highlighted her intentions, catching Dana off guard. She was shrewd, adept at advocating for her boyfriend's best interests. Dana grappled with uncertainty—I wonder if Ye Chen feels this way or if Catwoman is merely stepping in on his behalf?
Ye Chen had always considered Dana a little too motivated by profit but had never expressed dissatisfaction about his earnings, especially not to Catwoman. Yet, with her pointed comments, it was obvious she was fighting for Ye Chen's worth.
"Fifteen percent is already substantial," Dana defended. "You should understand as an actor that there are dozens of participants involved in these events. We have various costs to consider, including other athletes' appearance fees. It's simply not feasible to allocate 20% to Ye Chen."
He glanced at Ye Chen, who remained in contented silence with Catwoman, seemingly lost in their own world. Dana noticed this lack of response, sensing an implicit agreement with Catwoman's proposition.
"Of course, I understand what you're saying... Let's revisit this later," Dana reluctantly muttered, regretting his earlier remarks.
Notably, the topic had shifted, and he realized how by not addressing Catwoman's concerns earlier, he may have inadvertently set himself up for a more challenging negotiation ahead. "We've set up the match for five months from now, giving you ample time to recuperate, build muscle, and prepare for the fight. It won't be straightforward going against Wusman," Dana explained.
Ye Chen nodded, acknowledging the timeline as reasonable, despite it not feeling especially long. His frequent fights made five months feel like an eternity, particularly when most champions only fought once or twice a year.
"Stay in shape; losing to Wusman at this point would be a nightmare for me and the shareholders," Dana warned yet again. His concern reflected an acute awareness of the precarious nature of fame and aspirations.
Ye Chen smiled confidently, "No worries, I'll be more than ready. I trust the analysts in your company have gotten you updated on my capabilities?"
Dana confirmed, "Absolutely." Ye Chen straightened, contemplating the professional opinions swirling around, unbothered. "What do those analysts really think? Is it that daunting of a challenge?"
Dana continued, "Forty percent are leaning towards Wusman while thirty percent are hopeful for you, with the last thirty percent taking a wait-and-see approach. Your upcoming preparation is critical, though, as Wusman could potentially weigh in at over 190 pounds, but given your height and training, you could meet or exceed that if your muscle gain goes well."
In combat sports, weight can provide a distinct edge, often translating to increased strength. However, given Ye Chen's ability to fluctuate weight and maintain form in the lightweight division, gaining weight and muscle velocity shouldn't pose much of a challenge for him as he approached 190 pounds for weigh-ins.