Ye Chen posted a provocative update that rapidly caught fire online. Within just one hour, the post garnered over a million likes, proving the immense support he has from fans who are aligned with his bold stance. As reactions poured in, many began questioning the true motivations behind Covington's actions.
*[Isn't Covington just looking to cash in? Well, now that Ye Chen has taken a stand, will he have the guts to gamble that two million?]*
*[This is a monumental gamble. Covington might not agree to such terms. Two million is substantial for him.]*
*[Covington would never dare accept. Two million is a vast fortune for him; he simply can't risk it. This should be quite a spectacle to behold.]*
*[It's time for Covington to answer online. Let's see what he has to say about this.]*
*[Ye Chen must earn over ten million per fight, so betting like this seems risky for him.]*
*[This just shows how confident Ye Chen truly is.]*
*[Based on how Covington has reacted so far, I doubt he will have the courage to take this on.]*
The news surrounding Ye Chen sent shockwaves not only through the realm of combat sports but also rippled into broader circles. This situation has escalated to such a degree that it has captured the attention of countless people, especially in the United States, where such controversies often make headlines. Every move now garners significant interest as Ye Chen's huge gamble of over ten million dollars becomes the focal point.
At UFC headquarters, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Dana White immediately placed a call to Ye Chen.
"Dana: Ye Chen, could you clarify what you meant by your recent announcement?"
"Ye Chen: It's straightforward. Only by putting this on the table can we resolve this matter. I wish for Covington to stop harassing me and those close to me."
"You want him to back off, right? So, this is the best approach. We can't have you learning some sneak attack skills to settle this!"
"Dana quickly interjected, alarmed, as he feared Ye Chen might take an impulsive step that would have far-reaching negative consequences. Ye Chen is on the rise, and any legal complications could lead to significant setbacks. It wouldn't make sense to jeopardize his future for the likes of Covington. After considering Ye Chen's explanation, Dana started to see merit in this approach; should this turn into a public scandal, it would reflect poorly on everyone involved, including the UFC itself."
"But what's up with this deposit?" Dana questioned, clearly puzzled. He realized he had never encountered a situation like this before in his career.
Ye Chen calmly replied, "Covington is just in it for the money, but I intend to ensure he doesn't profit from this situation. I am requiring him to pay a two million deposit to the UFC before our fight. Regardless of whether he accepts, this will effectively put an end to the saga."
Hours after posting the video, Covington began to experience regrets. The ramifications of his actions were far greater than he had anticipated. In the past, he had made disparaging comments about various fighters, even targeting their personal lives, but nothing had come of it. Most of the fallout was simply online criticism, which he often viewed as an acceptable trade-off for the attention it brought. He made peace with the idea that being notorious could still garner him followers and generate revenue, just like Conor McGregor, known as "The Notorious," or fighters like Chimaev who sought to cultivate a similar public persona.
However, Covington drastically underestimated the situation this time. His target wasn't merely another fighter; he had crossed a line and pranked Catwoman—someone who is not only a public figure with immense influence but also a businesswoman tied to numerous endorsements. The backlash was inevitable; this time it wouldn't be so easy to slip away unscathed.
At this moment, Covington's team was left anxiously discussing how to manage the fallout. Suddenly, someone trembled with excitement, shouting, "Ye Chen took the bait! Ye Chen took the bait!"
"What? Did he respond?" There was a collective gasp of joy in the room.
If Ye Chen officially took charge of the fight, the tide of public opinion would undoubtedly shift in his favor. Sure enough, as Ye Chen took over the narrative, he received widespread acclaim online, especially from Catwoman's fans, who felt he was a valiant partner standing up for her against Covington's antics.
Yet, as Wenton and Covington's team contemplated Ye Chen's terms, they realized the gravity of the situation.
"Two million, plus whatever revenue this fight generates? That's insane." Covington's expression turned sour. The wealthy typically preferred to invest their fortunes wisely, while gamblers like him could find two million to be a monumental sum.
"This isn't even a reasonable request!" Covington muttered frustratedly. He wasn't merely concerned about the money; he was also keenly aware that Wu Siman had lost to Ye Chen. What made him think he would fare any better?
However, the head coach interjected with urgency, "If you decline this fight, have you considered the consequences? If you try to play up this situation later, who will want to deal with you? The UFC might not even be interested in renewing your contract." He recognized the brilliance behind Ye Chen's tactic and opined that Dada must have played a part in formulating this strategy.
Covington opened his mouth to respond but hesitated. He recognized that this was Ye Chen's comeback, and now he faced relentless criticism online. It would be incredibly difficult for him to escape this situation unscathed. He even had prepared some outrageous video content that remained undisclosed, and revealing it now would do nothing to help his cause.
As he was caught in this precarious position, his head coach brought up the numbers. "You realize Ye Chen and Wu Siman reportedly made twenty million from that last fight?"
"Twenty million?" Covington's eyes widened. The reality was unsettling; no matter how many small endorsements he pursued, he'd never come close to earning that amount.
"Yes, I heard it from credible sources. It's a staggering amount." His head coach cautioned, "If you beat Ye Chen, life will change for you. That's more than just twenty million; it's a golden opportunity."
Covington could feel the temptation growing. Betting two million for a chance to win twenty million? For a gambler like him, that sounded like the ultimate prize.
But rational thought crept back in. He shook his head, "No, this isn't a fair bet." As much as he loved gambling, he couldn't shake the lingering fear of loss—not just the fight, but also the two million deposit itself.
He defiantly responded to Ye Chen's conditions with a mix of scorn and bravado. "Hahaha... that's rich! You call this a fair wager? I'm not signing any such contract. If you're serious about the challenge, step into the Octagon like a man and abandon these unreasonable terms. You aren't choosing to avoid facing me any longer!"
Within mere minutes of Covington's post going live, an avalanche of reactions flooded in—over 100,000 comments, many mocking his bravado and questioning his credibility. People noted that if he had but one mouth left, all it was doing was spewing empty threats online. With the clarity of Ye Chen's offer laid out in the open, no one was suggesting Ye Chen was unwilling to meet Covington; instead, Covington was the one reluctant to play ball.
Even other fighters joined the fray: Chimaev, Wu Siman, Huzi, Burns—all chimed in with their thoughts. Chimaev even offered to fight alongside Ye Chen, suggesting, "Covington is just an internet tough guy; he puts on a show but is all bark. @Ye Chen, I bet I could join you for the fight, sharing both our appearance fees. This match is something every fan across the globe is eagerly anticipating!"
As the online storm intensified, it became evident that the drama had only just begun.