Qima emerged from the world of free wrestling. His time to train in MMA is limited as he juggles learning and competing simultaneously. His ability to achieve impressive results at this stage showcases his immense talent and potential for growth.
In contrast, fighters like Usman and Covington have years of experience, are older, and have firmly established fighting styles—like a canvas that's already been filled with color, leaving little room for new strokes. Qima, however, resembles a blank canvas with only partial markings, leaving ample space for development.
Furthermore, Qima's fighting style remains fluid and indecipherable, giving his opponents minimal data to prepare with. If it weren't for his victory over Burns, many would still be unaware of his weaknesses in both standing and ground fighting. As he approaches his next match, his evolution remains uncertain, raising questions about how he'll adapt and improve.
His specialty lies in explosive movements, which can be detrimental to those who struggle to keep up with his rapid pace at the start. Analysts believe Qima poses the most significant threat to Ye Chen precisely because his skills, ring experience, and mentality are developing quickly. The potential for his power in the next fight is a wildcard.
Of course, there's a risk that Qima may fall victim to common pitfalls among successful athletes, where wealth and fame lead to complacency in training. Thus, Qima's primary adversary at this moment is himself. In contrast, Ye Chen maintains a simulation space that ensures he can't neglect his training routine, even if he were to indulge in life's pleasures—and he's not one to overindulge.
Ye Chen believes his wrestling skills match Qima's, questioning his own explosive power instead. However, he's been diligently enhancing both his explosive and physical training. The outcome of their contest remains to be seen, and both fighters are well aware of the stakes.
Dana stated, "We will do our utmost to line up new opponents for you." Then, shifting the conversation, he gently patted Ye Chen on the shoulder and added with a grin, "You're in too much of a hurry. Take this time to relax and enjoy life. But remember not to indulge like Conor; I'm talking about finding a balance."
Dana's anxiety is palpable. From Ye Chen's perspective, he could easily call out any fighter, and countless contenders would eagerly line up for a shot against him. Yet, from the UFC's business standpoint, higher-ranked athletes find themselves with fewer choices. When one's ranking is low and fame is lacking, they can typically fight anyone. However, Ye Chen's status has shifted that dynamic.
As for Burns, he cleared his throat, eager for a match against Ye Chen. Unfortunately for him, after losing to Qima, his ranking plummeted to fifth place. Although he's aware of Magny's presence behind him, Magny's ranking is ten spots away from the title bout, making it unlikely for Burns to seize his chance. Ye Chen's recent fight only pushed him further down the list.
Current rankings complicate matters. Usman, ranked first, is injured and won't compete for over half a year. Second-ranked Huazi is calling out Banlang in hopes of securing a match. Covington, holding the third ranking, focuses solely on Ye Chen and doesn't consider any other opponents. Qima's impressive winning streak puts him in a solid position as the number one contender, yet fighting someone who's already bested him doesn't seem plausible—Dana likely wouldn't support it.
Burns finds himself unable to book a match, his patience wearing thin. Faced with this uncertainty, he entertained the idea of calling out Ye Chen, but quickly suppressed that urge, recognizing it would be unwise. In the current environment, his marketability pales in comparison to Covington's, making it unreasonable to approach Ye Chen.
Gazi's demeanor mirrored Burns's frustration; he didn't want to face Ye Chen but felt envious instead. As one of the fighters without a scheduled match, he realized that taking on a high-ranking opponent would only complicate his situation further, given that he'd be viewed as lower in status.
He didn't want to challenge unranked fighters either, leading to his growing discomfort as he contemplated giving someone else a chance to fight Ye Chen.
Then, Diamond chimed in, "Ye Chen, if you can, I'd love to see you take down Colby. But at the same time, I don't want him profiting from it…" His envy was clear. He believed he could outbox Covington but suspected that Covington would avoid the opportunity altogether, dragging the fight over five long rounds.
In Diamond's eyes, Ye Chen was on a different level—effective both on the ground and while standing. He couldn't fathom how Covington could possibly find a way to beat Ye Chen. Yet, the prospect of Covington capitalizing financially on such a match made him uneasy.
"Forget it; just ignore what I said about him," Diamond concluded. Ye Chen could easily sense Diamond's frustrations and felt the same way about Covington's potential earnings. He was also fully aware of Burns's feelings and Gazi's sentiments as well.
He wanted his acquaintances to thrive financially but recognized he had no control over fame and fortune, which often worked in mysterious ways. Fighting both Covington and Burns separately could create exciting battles, but it felt unrealistic to engage in such scenarios. Even if he desired it, promoting high-profile fights was never Dana's inclination—he wouldn't waste Ye Chen's valuable contract opportunities on fighters who weren't likely to generate significant revenue.
In the end, the gathering left them without a clear opponent. Dana confirmed that the Black Dragons and Pereira already had a fight lined up, soon to be officially announced. Weight training would have to take a back seat for now. Ye Chen decided to wait patiently, as he didn't need to compete as frequently to maintain his popularity anymore.
This downtime could be a golden opportunity to recover, integrate his techniques, enhance his explosive abilities, and prepare for the prospect of gaining weight in the future.
On the third day, a grand celebration party took place in Vegas—organized by a major promoter, the event attracted numerous attendees. Among the guests were Catwoman's friends, making for a vibrant celebration.
The day after the party, Ye Chen started resuming his training. While the simulation space provided a robust training foundation, he knew it couldn't serve as his sole resource. He balanced his regimen with elements from Chandler and Usman's techniques, incorporating the aspects best suited to his development.
Continuing simulated sparring was essential. Inside the simulation space, Makhachev trained him in wrestling, ground control, and combat day after day, while Burns contributed with focused jiu-jitsu practices. Diamond was there for boxing, and Usman provided realistic sparring sessions, presenting a formidable challenge given his resistance to strikes.
Ye Chen explored diverse techniques, utilizing each of the five rings for specialized training. While his sessions with Tiexue revealed a skill gap, they proved invaluable for enhancing his strength and conditioning.
Despite the exhaustive training regimen inside the simulation, his simulated counterpart was pushing forward relentlessly. As Ye Chen expanded his skill set, his techniques became more comprehensive and sophisticated. However, his rate of growth had begun to plateau compared to the rapid advancements he'd initially experienced.