Francis Ngannou didn't seem to anticipate that Ye Chen would push forward, and his surprise was palpable. Nevertheless, he gave a nod of approval, saying, "Alright, continue." I couldn't help but feel a surge of respect for Ye Chen; it undeniably takes bravery to engage in competition with someone like Francis Ngannou, particularly given their starkly contrasting physiques.
[Simulation successful, contact is being established.]
[Entering all information regarding Francis Ngannou.]
[Recording all game records and common tactics of Francis Ngannou.]
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow in confusion. Why was there a need to simulate Iron-Blooded? The simulation wrapped up in less than half a day. Anything that shouldn't be simulated seemed to be rushed through what felt like a blink. Did they really expect Francis Ngannou to spar with him in a simulated environment? However, Ye Chen only voiced these thoughts in his mind. After all, practice sparring was just that; it wouldn't inflict genuine harm if he hit Ngannou again.
As they resumed, Ye Chen initiated the attack, kicking forward to maintain distance and push Ngannou back while attempting to navigate away from the cage's corner. What took him by surprise was Ngannou's immovable stance. Even without exerting all his might, Ngannou remained unfazed, seemingly caught in a moment of bewilderment. He then calmly stated, "Use your full strength. We're both protected, and your punches realistically won't hurt me."
Ye Chen, sensing the opportunity, embraced the challenge wholeheartedly and dodged Ngannou's impending block with skill. He swiftly delivered a low sweeping kick that landed squarely against Ngannou's leggings. The impact echoing with a sharp "pop," he immediately met Ngannou with decisive action.
"Good," Ngannou exclaimed, appearing genuinely pleased. He stepped forward, initiating a counterattack with a low sweep of his own. Given Ngannou's considerable strength, the leg prowess he wielded lacked speed, and for a smaller heavyweight like Ye Chen, whose agility was an asset, the attack felt lethargic in contrast. Ye Chen lifted his leg to evade it and retaliated with a forward kick, this time unleashing full force. Ngannou staggered back a couple of steps, visibly impressed.
Nodding in approval, Ngannou struck his own abdominal muscles with his fist, signaling that Ye Chen was matching up well. He also gestured for Ye Chen to ease up a touch, to which Ye Chen nodded, momentarily contemplating the notion of relaxing.
Yet, relaxing was not an option for Ngannou. With the potential for weight gain, Ye Chen could withstand a blow from Ngannou. But at his current weight, even a single punch from Iron-Blood could send him flying. Ye Chen had never faced an opponent with such an imposing physical advantage. In fact, he had never sparred against anyone more imposing than himself.
Previously, no domestic partner had been taller or stronger, always either shorter or less strong. This experience had left him with limited encounters against physically superior adversaries. Thus, fighting Iron-Blood presented him with a pivotal opportunity for growth and skill development. As he considered the situation, his mind whirled with potential tactics.
At that moment, Ngannou lunged forward, fists resembling massive hammers. Instinctively, Ye Chen took a step back. Without engaging in critical thought, he spun around and kicked ferociously.
With a loud "boom," he propelled Ngannou backward, who, fortunately, had protective gear on. "Biyo Te No, Bi U Te No," someone outside marveled, astonished by Ye Chen's leg speed. It was an instantaneous maneuver during his retreat, swift and precise, executing very little warning.
"Good, use your legs to manage distance first, then devise a strategy." With that, Ye Chen settled and refrained from darting around aimlessly.
However, Iron-Blood didn't relent. Continuing his assertive approach, he pressed forward, his powerful tactics clearly intimidating even other heavyweights. And for Ye Chen, the stakes were no different.
It became evident that Iron-Blood was employing a methodical approach rather than unleashing a barrage of punches akin to a real fight. Instead, he relied on minor strikes to compress and constrain Ye Chen's movement.
With determination, Ye Chen advanced once more, this time stepping onto Ngannou's thighs. The Iron-Blood assault was halted, albeit momentarily, as Ye Chen went for a mid-sweep. Yet, Ngannou seized the opportunity, his incredible wingspan proving to be an underestimated advantage.
"Boom!" Ngannou absorbed the mid-sweep and struck with a powerful jab. The assault was so sudden that, even while Ye Chen braced himself and instinctively guarded his face with his arms, the force felt substantial.
It is known among seasoned fighters that, while some possess basic fighting skills, strikes directed at an opponent are typically penetrating. In contrast, those lacking formal training often struggle to deliver substantial punches, rendering street fights exhausting and largely ineffective.
Aware of this, Ngannou aimed not to injure Ye Chen but rather applied controlled force, resulting in a jarring collision that sent Ye Chen crashing heavily against the cage netting. Ngannou swiftly closed the distance, hitting with a long jab aimed at maintaining dominance, preventing Ye Chen from finding an escape route.
Cornered against the cage with his back pressed firmly against the net, Ye Chen doggedly defended against the jab. The moment he intended to retreat, Ngannou advanced again, fully exploiting his extensive wingspan. No matter where he turned, Ye Chen realized he risked being clobbered.
"Call!" The fist was thunderous as Ngannou launched another attack. Ye Chen instinctively lowered his head to dodge, but Iron-Blood's other fist was already on its way. In a moment of desperation, he dove low, crashing into Ngannou's legs.
At that moment, Ye Chen experienced the tangible gap between weight classes. It felt as if he was clutching enormous pillars instead of legs. His body pressed against Ngannou, and he instinctively reached out with his right leg to trip him while pushing upward against Iron-Blood's legs.
Ngannou did not expect Ye Chen's sudden aggressiveness, and the imbalance shifted rapidly. Unprepared for Ye Chen's grip, Ngannou lost his center of gravity, which made it all the more remarkable in the context of a real bout.
With an overwhelming sound, the mats broke Ye Chen's fall, absorbing the blow yet still allowing him to feel the gravity of Ngannou's weight as it slammed onto him. The cheers from the onlookers were palpable, creating a crescendo of excitement.
"Stronger than you, tougher than you..." they chanted. Not only had Ngannou been surprised, but the spectators, too, seemed taken aback by Ye Chen's ability to wrap around Ngannou.
Intent on gaining control, Ye Chen swung his weight down, eager to establish a dominant position. To his astonishment, however, a sudden surge of force burst forth from Ngannou, attempting to shake him off.
Take his weight into account; he could leverage and maneuver. Anyone of equal or lesser strength would struggle to rebound from Ye Chen's hold. Yet, Ngannou, empowered by his stature, forced Ye Chen upwards effortlessly.
Ye Chen floundered momentarily before finding his footing, only to be met by Ngannou's substantial physique pushing him back down. Had it been a fight with someone of comparable strength, Ye Chen might have relished the opportunity to assert himself effectively.
The situation was not ideal. Ngannou's robust arms rejected Ye Chen's attempts to gain traction; he was unceremoniously shoved away, crashing against the mat. Yet, aware of his jiu-jitsu prowess and continuously honing his skills, he swiftly hooked onto Ngannou's arm with both hands, kicking his legs across Ngannou's arm as he aimed for a cross-body submission.
In his heavier weight class, Ye Chen knew that turning over would usually result in significant, even excruciating pain. Just one wrong move could capitalize on his limited strength against Ngannou's supremacy. But unexpectedly, halfway through the turn, his momentum faltered; he found himself caught in a precarious position.
With immense agility, Ngannou reacted quickly, using the instant to roll over, counterbalancing Ye Chen's move and retracting his arm to secure a dominant horizontal position. The dynamics shifted significantly, and the physical disparity felt akin to a powerful tiger dragging a hapless animal.
Fear gripped Ye Chen as he realized being pulled would result in him being overtaken entirely. Without hesitation, he kicked his legs against Ngannou's side, rolling backward to stand up swiftly. Ngannou, surprised, did not seize the opportunity fast enough.
The audience erupted into cheers, filled with a mix of anxiety and exhilaration that accompanied high-stakes sparring, vastly different from a legitimate bout in the octagon. They watched as Ngannou evidently showcased a unique ability to overpower resistance while also recognizing the skillful ground transformations Ye Chen executed.
Ngannou, standing tall now, chuckled, "Incredible, Ye Chen! If we were matched in weight, I might have been in a tricky situation just now."
"I wouldn't be as nimble if we were the same weight," Ye Chen acknowledged, having come to appreciate the depth of the weight divide. With Iron-Blood towering at over 230 pounds, Ye Chen's weight falling below that threshold left him at a significant disadvantage.
The disparity was stark; he realized a refined grappling technique might be his only real hope against Ngannou in this situation. If he were to employ his full force for an effective maneuver, it would certainly require the element of surprise—or better yet, catching Iron-Blood off guard.
"Pah, pah!" Ye Chen began showcasing an array of kicking skills, utilizing movement control and speed to his advantage, often retreating just out of range. It was evident that this round of sparring leaned in favor of Ye Chen, as Ngannou fought against the temptation to unleash too much of his physicality.
During the exchanges, it became clear that Ngannou relied predominantly on raw power, comparing the scenario reminiscent of Pereira engaging with the Black Dragon. Each move granted the potential to debilitate an opponent, yet Ye Chen's evasive techniques allowed him to dodge many of Ngannou's blows.
Had the pressure become more overwhelming, Ye Chen wouldn't hesitate to turn tail and evade completely. Confronting Iron-Blood's consequential punches felt near impossible; lightweight tactics often demanded fluidity and creativity, not brute strength.
With an audible bang, Ngannou overcommitted, his instinct for combat surfacing once again. He lunged after Ye Chen, unleashing a ferocious swing. The sound reverberated through the training space, creating an electric atmosphere that heightened the tension.
When Ye Chen raised his arms to block, he was met with a force that left his limbs tingling. Staggering backward, he realized the magnitude of what he faced.
In a frantic moment, he felt Ngannou barreling forth again. "Don't!" he hollered in protest. "Ngannou, are you insane?" The coach's urgent voice joined his, but their worries were misplaced.
Contrary to their fears, Ngannou merely adjusted to support Ye Chen, whose body was propelled backward from the inertia of the movement.
"Sorry! I got a bit carried away," Ngannou said sheepishly as he lowered Ye Chen to the mat. "I wasn't trying to hurt you."
"It's fine," Ye Chen replied, shaking off the sensation in his arms. No blame lay with Ngannou; they both acknowledged such things are common in rigorous training, driven primarily by the disparity in physical strengths.
Realization dawned as the sparring session concluded; both competitors recognized the inherent dangers of continuing without caution. Ye Chen made his way to leave when a group of individuals strolled in, boxes in hand.
Ye Chen's brow furrowed. He didn't recognize their faces, but he was well aware of the boxes—they were from the drug testing agency.
"Ye Chen, we need your samples," one of the officials stated matter-of-factly.
"Didn't I just go through this a few days ago?" Ye Chen replied incredulously.
"Well, the rules state everyone needs to comply, or else you face suspension." Reluctantly, Ye Chen acquiesced. He'd heard whispers that strange birds had been detected 60 times that year—a number he found absurd.
Why were they zeroing in on him instead? The strict scrutiny felt excessive, especially when they could be focusing on far stranger occurrences. The burden of weekly checks grated on him, especially given their irregularity and unpredictability—like that instance at four in the morning when they arrived.
Meanwhile, Ngannou posted a short video online featuring their sparring session, which sparked conversations across social media. Many viewers were captivated by Ye Chen's quick footwork and agility, while most were drawn to Ngannou's impressive strength.
Yet, the greater discussion tended to center around the disparity in weight. "This exemplifies the physical difference; even if Ye Chen isn't as far at odds as with Wu Siman, the weight gap remains critical," one viewer pointed out.
"Has he started to bulk up? Has he gained weight? It seems he struggled with that submission all due to Iron-Blood's sheer force," someone else remarked, showcasing the ongoing dialogue.
"Did you see how easily Iron-Blood tossed him about? Incredible!" another chimed in.
"MMA talent in Daxia, like Zhang Weili, can withstand it too, but this submission discrepancy is startling," one user noted with growing concern.
"I'm starting to re-evaluate Wu Siman; he's also hugely capable and strong," someone else acknowledged.
"Right! And Wu Siman's experience is unparalleled. If he executes his game plan on the mat, Ye Chen will have a real challenge on his hands," another forecasted.
As time wound on, nearly three months elapsed in the blink of an eye. Ye Chen methodically gained muscle and heft, driven by Catwoman's initiative to hire a top-tier nutritionist and chef. Following precise meal plans, the chef took charge of daily meals, while Ye Chen immersed himself in training.
In just two months, he reached a weight of 95 kilograms—nearly 210 pounds. However, with increased weight came the responsibility of boosting his strength and endurance, yet two months hardly sufficed.
To his advantage, Ye Chen had the ability to simulate training when necessary. The benefits of these sessions became apparent as they unfolded, allowing him several times more training hours than those competing on an elite level.
His weight gain and muscle development astounded nutritionists conducting assessments, who couldn't fathom how he made such progress in such a short span. It was common to suspect some hidden aid, leading them to drop veiled hints that he should be wary of negative results.
In contrast, drug testing agencies were far more direct and present, often arriving unannounced—sometimes even trailing him during camping trips and road outings.
Tonight brought attention to an upcoming event in Vegas, with Dana extending repeated invitations to Ye Chen and Catwoman. Though Catwoman showed little interest, she agreed to accompany Ye Chen, who was eager to attend.
The evening's main event highlighted lightweight bouts between Makhachev and Gage, with anticipation building. Yet the co-main event showcased a compelling clash between Covington and Big Eye—one fraught with uncertainty given Covington's extended absence from facing top contenders.
Following Ye Chen's recent bout against Diamond, he sensibly answered Wu Siman's call for a bout with full understanding that while he remained determined, he hadn't yet reached the level where he could conquer the ring against seasoned fighters.
As discussions grew, and the tensions between competitors mounted, one thing was certain: Ye Chen's path was evolving—every day carved out new opportunities to grow and prove himself in the ever-evolving world of combat sports.