"Snapped. Accurate, violent, and lightning fast. However, the precise kick did not achieve the desired effect. After Whitman emerged victorious against Geikie, the next logical challenge was to face Wusman. Over the previous five months, Whitman had dedicated himself to studying Ye Chen's playing style, delving into every nuance and strategy. As Ye Chen faced increasingly diverse opponents, his techniques became clearer—more transparent, and thus easier to analyze. Ye Chen's unusual and unpredictable kicking skills, which had baffled so many in the past, were now under careful scrutiny from Whitman, an experienced coach with keen observational skills.
Wusman, being a serious player, was not one to take things lightly. Contrasting Ye Chen, who seamlessly alternated between forward and backward movements, Wusman had honed his defensive strategies. His ability to switch stances at lightning speed meant that Ye Chen could deploy any of his two legs for a potential fatal high sweep at any moment, a fact that added to Wusman's apprehension.
Just moments prior, as Wusman made his dive, Ye Chen quickly adjusted his stance, switching to a reverse position to capitalize on Wusman's exposed side. While a direct high sweep using his front leg is an option, fighters typically refrain from that approach for various reasons. The moment of switch caught Wusman completely off guard. As he committed to his dive, wrapping his legs and rocking forward, he saw Ye Chen transition in a flash.
With instinct-driven precision, he raised his elbows, pulled his shoulders back, and tucked his chin in—actions driven by muscle memory honed over years of training. Simultaneously, he sidestepped to slap at Ye Chen's legs with his front hand. The results were striking. Ye Chen's kick connected firmly just below Wusman's elbow, producing a crisp sound that resonated throughout the arena. Instinctively, and barely a heartbeat later, Wusman had recoiled from Ye Chen's striking range, shaking his right arm, which had been left momentarily numb.
He was quietly appreciative of his quick reflexes; had he not reacted promptly, he would have been knocked out cold by a high-sweep headshot—an outcome that no athlete could be pleased with. Moreover, had Ye Chen's kick not been deflected by Wusman's hand, the sheer force could have resulted in a serious injury. As Wusman processed this, a murmur of astonishment erupted from the crowd.
"Is…?" The audience collectively gasped, witnessing the raw power of the kick that bore striking resemblance to Huazi's previous upset of Wusman. Tension soared among viewers, as many assumed this much-publicized clash was already on course for an early conclusion. The three commentators reacted passionately. Bisping exclaimed, "What a spectacular high sweep! Looks like Ye Chen has meticulously studied Wusman's technique and deftly identified the weaknesses!" Logan followed up, "It's incredibly reminiscent of Hua Zi's kick last time around, but Huazi executed his technique toward the match's end. He had successfully deceived Wusman into a vulnerable position before landing the strike."
DC offered a counterpoint, shaking his head in disagreement. "Wusman has clearly fortified his defenses against high sweeps after losing to Hua Zi. Had Ye Chen's kick landed earlier in Wusman's career, the outcome may have been drastically different. Ye Chen's my friend, and Wu Siman is my brother. However, Wu Siman, heed caution; you are contending against a formidable opponent, a true killer whose every move could potentially end the match."
Ye Chen felt a wave of surprise wash over him; he had executed that leg maneuver countless times in training simulations, hoping for a swift finish within ten seconds of the match. He hadn't anticipated Wusman's rapid and proficient defense. What's more, this was his first encounter with the second-ranked fighter, and it was apparent that Wusman possessed a level of strength and agility far surpassing those of lighter-weight fighters Ye Chen usually faced. His earlier high sweep had been fraught with danger; had it connected fully against Wusman's elbow, it could have led to a serious injury—perhaps even a fracture resembling Connor's unfortunate experience.
The uncertainty lingered: could Wusman's defense earlier in the match have been a panicked reflex, or was it a methodical tactic specifically devised to counter Ye Chen? Naturally, relying on elbows for defense is a fundamental principle of martial arts; it's always wiser to evade damage rather than absorb direct hits. Elbow bones may be strong, but if a kick lands with perfect accuracy, the consequences could be devastating for either combatant.
Ye Chen quickly recalibrated his tactical approach. He resolved to keep attacking the legs. With the initial heavy leg kick failing to land, he opted to employ a low sweep, focusing on draining Wusman's power while gathering insights into the challenger's tactics and capabilities.
"Snapped." As Ye Chen advanced, he initiated a low sweep. What amazed him was Wusman's astonishing reaction time. In a classic defensive maneuver, he countered with his shins, successfully mitigating the impact of Ye Chen's kick. This maneuver, which twists the angle of the legs when dodging is unfeasible, results in a tradeoff that can inflict damage to both fighters—one thousand to the opponent, eight hundred to oneself. Ye Chen winced from the collision, staggering backward from the force. Before this bout, he had rarely encountered a skilled adversary adept at defending against low sweeps, leaving him momentarily unprepared for such an event.
Yet Wusman strategically seized the opportunity presented by Ye Chen's momentary vulnerability, launching a series of precise counterattacks. He was particularly fond of employing straight punches—a technique that perfectly utilized his advantage in wingspan, especially against shorter fighters like Burns, Motor, Covington, and Huazi. Altering his boxing style is a challenging endeavor, yet with this fight on the line, he had evidently transitioned to relying on his jabs and straight punches as primary weapons.
As Ye Chen executed a high sweep, Wusman had already anticipated the move. He stepped into the space created by Ye Chen's attack, delivering a rapid straight punch to his face. Fortunately, Ye Chen managed to absorb the impact on his leg, momentarily stumbling but by sheer chance dodging Wusman's punch. Regaining his footing, he repositioned himself at a safe distance.
It seemed as though Wusman's strategy was proving effective—first using his elbow to counter Ye Chen's high sweep, then relying on his shin to defend against the low kicks. Wusman flashed a playful grin at Ye Chen, gesturing at his low-swept leg, a teasing smirk crossing his face. "You know, my teammate Gage schooled me on avoiding low sweeps; did that one hurt?"
Ye Chen shrugged off the comments, opting to hop lightly on the spot and test his legs. Relief flooded over him as he confirmed he suffered no injury. A leg injury incurred early in the fight could leave him vulnerable, drastically slowing his movements and making him an easy target.
"Is Ye Chen's leg injured?" was the question rippling through the minds of the spectators. Everyone had witnessed the momentary imbalance that followed the low sweep; how could a master of leg technique like Ye Chen lose his footing from just one sweep? Even the three commentators slowed the action on their monitors, wanting to dissect the pivotal moment that had just unfolded.
Wusman, cognizant of his own tactical play, began to shift his approach, making his offense increasingly aggressive. From the onset of the bout, he controlled the range of combat with precision, leveraging his jab to create pressure that restricted Ye Chen's ability to evade effectively. Simultaneously, he keenly observed any hint of trouble in Ye Chen's leg movements.
In retaliation, Ye Chen responded with a jab of his own. Although his reach was somewhat disadvantaged compared to Wusman's extended wingspan, he was determined to give his all.
"67! 67!"
Both fighters' jabs were explosive and fast, resulting in a rapid exchange of blows. Ye Chen leaned back, using one hand to shield his face against Wusman's jabs, while simultaneously engaging in a nearly mirrored stance. The energy from their jabs ignited a wave of excitement among the audience, eliciting cheers and applause for the impressive display.
Suddenly, Wu Siman evaded Ye Chen's jab and advanced, initiating a classic Wusman combination. Without hesitation, Ye Chen rolled his shoulders to dodge and unleashed a powerful overhead punch.
"Boom!" This punch landed heavily just above Wusman's ear, causing him a momentary lapse in focus. Although he shook off the hit, he threw out random punches in response, retreating swiftly with both hands raised defensively. It's essential not to underestimate this wild punch; it successfully disrupted Ye Chen's intentions to pursue further. In the context of the ring, an interrupted rhythm can pose challenges for an offense unless a fight-changing blow has been delivered.
Undoubtedly, Wusman's resilience, characterized by a combination of solid defense and an iron will, enabled him to endure the onslaught. Ye Chen aimed to exploit Wusman's mindset, deliberately feigning a vulnerable posture and gesturing as if to say, "Your straight punch is commendable, but it almost got me."