Until now, the test report from the drug-testing agency remains unreleased. There has been no formal statement, leaving a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming match. Ye Chen finds himself about to step into the Octagon amid a torrent of doubts and speculations.
Backstage in the prep room, Ye Chen sat cross-legged on the mat, while Catwoman reclined on his back, her eyelids resting against his face. The scene was surreal, as Ye Chen was video chatting with his parents at that moment.
"Ye Chen, I saw on the news that your opponent this time seems incredibly powerful," his father, Ye Jianguo, said, concern apparent in his voice. "Many experts are saying you can't beat this guy. I've been watching tons of analysis videos lately, and they really make some strong points. They suggest paying special attention to his jab and not getting too aggressive against someone who's so formidable."
Ye Chen couldn't help but smile. Experts? In his experience, there are only a handful of truly knowledgeable analysts on social media, especially among those with so-called expertise in combat sports. Knowledge of the UFC has soared since his world championship win, attracting many online personalities who merely wax eloquent without a solid foundation in the sport. Their half-baked insights often mislead novice fans who are still learning the ropes.
"Dad, don't bother with them. Just focus on tonight's fight. If I'm stepping into the ring, I certainly have confidence in my abilities. If I didn't, I wouldn't be so foolish as to take this challenge."
His mother, exasperated, took the mobile phone from Ye Jianguo's hands and said, "Your match is about to start! What good is it to be talking about this now?"
"Xiaochen," she continued, "please take care during the fight. I'll be looking after you and Annie. It's really important for both of you to support one another. Do you understand?"
"KR..." It was the same old routine. When he was single, she'd fret about how he would find a girlfriend, and now that he had one, her worries had shifted to whether he and his girlfriend were getting along. There seemed to always be something for her to concern herself with.
The video call ended, and Ye Chen took a deep breath.
Catwoman broke the silence. "You seem a bit on edge. Are you nervous?"
Ye Chen shook his head firmly. "Why would I be nervous when you're here with me?" It's true that he couldn't deny feeling a mix of nerves and excitement; this match was monumental for him, akin to the lightweight championship fight. Stepping up to this level, he had everything to gain, even in the face of potential defeat. With each weight class comes a different style and tempo, and the challenge ahead was unprecedented.
Ye Chen had never truly adapted to the fighting style found in the welterweight division. Moreover, his journey had begun with a daunting challenge against a formidable opponent, leaving him little room to adjust. Thankfully, just the day prior, he had simulated a fight with Wusman and had also trained with Gazi consistently over the past ten days, enabling him to familiarize himself with the strength and strategy of welterweight fighters. Statistics reflected Wusman's impressive defensive skills, particularly against takedowns—he was well-known for his exceptional ability to avoid being brought to the ground.
"You're just teasing me with these thoughts... My dad just called and told me how powerful Wusman is. You really need to be careful out there," Catwoman remarked, worry etched on her face, clearly stressing more about the match than Ye Chen himself was.
Ye Chen nodded, acknowledging her concern. It was nearing the main event, and the atmosphere was electric. Bizarrely, the people he encountered in person seemed to support him, while online, a wave of negative sentiment raged, with many eager for Ye Chen to fall against Wusman.
As the clock ticked down, Jackson arrived on cue to help Ye Chen with his wrist wraps. Ever since Ye Chen's victory over Makhachev, he had become a sure bet for Jackson, who placed bets on him without hesitation.
"And now, introducing the nightmare, Kamanu Wusman..." Baffo's excited voice filled the arena. The lights dimmed, marking the entrance of the champion with a dramatic flair. Wusman strode into the ring, flanked by his team. Among them stood Whitman, who had faced Ye Chen before and was now coaching Wusman, further adding to the tension of their impending confrontation.
A chorus of boos and cheers filled the air. The United States was a land of passionate sports fans, and many were undoubtedly rooting for Wusman.
Once Wusman was settled, the announcer's voice rang out, declaring, "Next up is our superstar, the terminator, Ye Chen..."
With each subsequent match, Ye Chen appeared increasingly composed and in control. In the midst of the deafening cheers, he was wholly focused, fueled by nothing but genuine excitement and clarity.
Catwoman, close behind, carried towels, ice packs, and water. She had faced multitudes of cameras before, so this scene was nothing for her.
Finally, Ye Chen made his entrance, ready to combat the challenges ahead. Buffer introduced the fight, emphasizing its prestige and the gathering of fans worldwide.
"The first fighter comes from Japan, boasting a record of 21-2, standing at 183cm with a wingspan of 193cm. Known for his nearly flawless defensive skills, he is our welterweight world champion, the nightmare, Kamanu Wusman."
According to the stats, Wusman's wingspan edged out Ye Chen's by a mere centimeter, making the physical advantages in this match hard to come by. Although Ye Chen possessed strength, Wusman's muscular build often misled novice viewers into believing he was unbeatable.
Baffo continued, "And now, from the red corner, representing Daxia... With a staggering ten-fight winning streak and a flawless record spanning a decade..."
As the referee explained the rules, Catwoman encouraged him, "Come on, you're going to win this!"
Ye Chen nodded, silently absorbing the energy from the crowd. He could hear supporters in the front row shouting for Gazi and Doss, who were there purely as spectators despite their status as professionals and a few notable national figures present.
The match commenced. As Ye Chen approached the center of the ring, the tension soared. Wusman initiated a quick jab for a test, and after an agile response from Ye Chen, he followed with a sudden forward thrust. Ye Chen made a swift motion to deflect this feint, recognizing it for what it was. He knew that Wusman, with his wrestling background, would not make such an overt error against him.
Instead, he was eager for Wusman to take a shot and bring the fight to the ground, certain that he could counter effectively. As Wusman attempted a misdirection to catch him off balance, Ye Chen's instinct kicked in, and he readied himself for the moment.
"Snapped."