Initially, the UFC was not in favor of scheduling a fight between Chimaev and Ye Chen at this moment. Their strategy seemed to be focused on positioning Chimaev for an interim championship bout, creating a potential clash with Usman. Should Chimaev achieve victory, it would undoubtedly heighten his celebrity status even further. His remarkable performance in the recent showdown against Hua Zi garnered him a significant uptick in supporters, with his fan base climbing from over 5 million to more than 8 million. Although this number trails behind Ye Chen, it is important to note that among active UFC competitors, Chimaev currently ranks just below Ye Chen and Conor McGregor and has surpassed Black Dragon in popularity. What's more, this trajectory appears to be on the rise. Presently, Chimaev stands as the most likely candidate to surpass the significant milestone of 10 million fans; it's almost a certainty, given that he is given a little more time to shine.
It's evident that the UFC aims to cultivate yet another superstar to join the ranks of Ye Chen and Conor McGregor. The athletes that Chimaev has defeated hold considerable value as opponents, further enhancing tensions and expectations surrounding an eventual showdown with Ye Chen. The audience is increasingly eager for a face-off between the two powerhouses, especially considering their recent performances that both occurred on the same night. Ye Chen managed to secure a decisive victory in the first round, finishing third in his match, while Chimaev showcased his prowess by racking up 29 kills in a single round to finish second. Given their stellar records, it's hard to imagine they won't be propelled toward a meeting in the octagon.
However, Ye Chen observed that Black Dragon and Pereira were set to contest for the fourth time, and he expressed a desire not to wait too long. Instead, he wanted to take on Chimaev first, who would surely call for a title fight against him after moving up a weight class. There's also been a noticeable buzz surrounding this matter, with numerous fighters, even those with no direct ties to Chimaev, expressing interest in challenging him. For instance, middleweight contender Costa and the up-and-coming wrestler Bonica have thrown their hats into the ring. Bonica, a robust wrestler in his own right, was previously regarded as a potential challenger capable of defeating Chimaev. His appealing looks have further endeared him to fans, driving significant support his way.
In an impressive display of audacity, Bonica publicly challenged Chimaev and Black Dragon online, boasting that Chimaev's wrestling skills would pale in comparison to his own. He even went so far as to claim that he could take down Black Dragon in mere moments. Bonica once issued a bold ultimatum: if he wasn't granted a main event slot for his UFC debut, he'd walk away from the sport completely. Such bravado raises eyebrows all around.
On the topic of bold public gestures, social media sensation Jack Baochuan, along with boxing icons like Ava and champions Usyk, Joshua, and Wilder, has all expressed their admiration for Ye Chen. Even retired pugilist Mayweather, who is significantly smaller than Ye Chen, has joined the chorus of fans. Surprisingly, Chimaev—previously an active player in the game—seemed to retreat from the spotlight, no longer calling attention to himself in connection with Ye Chen. Dana disclosed that discussions had taken place with Chimaev just a couple of days prior, yet no follow-up news had emerged, leaving Ye Chen in a state of uncertainty about Chimaev's intentions.
Additionally, a video capturing Ye Chen's confrontation with Covington's team went viral, surpassing 80 million views in just about a week's time. It appears that breaking the 100 million mark is merely a matter of time. To put this into perspective, the most viewed highlight in UFC history just recently crossed the 100 million threshold. It's worth noting that Ye Chen's popularity has surged on domestic platforms, outpacing his international recognition.
Following his championship success against Usman, many notable domestic media outlets rallied to promote and celebrate Ye Chen—some even reaching out through intermediaries for potential collaborations, including an invitation for the Spring Festival Gala. Multiple promotional activities involving him have also been in the works. For elite athletes, such interest from brands and media is commonplace. Yet, following this latest victory, the excitement from media and sponsors hasn't matched the fervor seen previously. Ye Chen comprehended the reticence of officials to market his next fight; after all, they can't promote him as he prepares to face opponents deemed unworthy.
Notably, during this time, a prominent media personality named Li Qian—who has interviewed Ye Chen on multiple occasions, including two exclusive roundtables—approached him with a question. Other media outlets had also expressed a desire for an exclusive interview, but with all that had transpired recently, Ye Chen found himself busy managing his sports club and recovering from injuries sustained in the fight, including a minor concussion that he suspected resulted from an inadvertent blow from a boxing instructor. As a result, he had been postponing his interviews. Now, with a momentary opening in his schedule, he recognized the importance of connecting with his domestic audience, especially given his roots in Dayuan.
Once connected for the interview, Li Qian introduced him to the online audience: "Fighting fans, the person beside me is none other than Ye Chen, the two-weight UFC world champion. I'm sure his accomplishments require no further embellishment." She continued discussing recent developments, noting that the P4P rankings had just seen some movement, with a notable athlete rising to the top spot.
The majority of viewers tuned in were devoted fans of Ye Chen, who showered the live chat with congratulatory messages. Even those unfamiliar with the P4P concept joined in the chorus of excitement. Li Qian then posed a prepared question reflecting on the recent controversy: "Ye Chen, did you know that the conflict involving you and Covington's team not only stirred significant conversation internationally but also ignited debates at home? An entry even surfaced on the hot search list questioning whether fighting constitutes violence and whether it should be condemned."
Ye Chen's initial response was one of confusion and contemplation. He pondered that while some might categorize his actions as violent, it was an extreme view to advocate for a boycott. Moreover, he realized that while his international growth would not be stifled by such criticism, domestic fans who only watched but did not contribute financially to events lacked the footing to trivialize his passion. The absence of meaningful repercussions from followers rendered the calls for boycotting inconsequential. He remained oblivious to the backlash faced by the blogger who had gained notoriety from the situation, nor did he take the comments from Lin Long and his team seriously.
"First and foremost, let me make it clear that the combat sports I participate in are far from violence. Within the confines of the ring, we adhere to many established rules, limitations, and safety protocols, akin to disciplines like gymnastics, table tennis, or even e-sports. The altercation following the match was purely incidental, an impulsive reaction to an immediate situation rather than a consistent behavior. As long as I can ensure that I maintain my weight class, refrain from using performance-enhancing substances, and avoid intentional fouls during competition, I consider that a demonstration of professionalism," Ye Chen asserted.
He continued to explain, "Outside the arena, I'm just a regular person. I cannot hold myself to the unrealistic standards of a saint, nor will I allow anyone else to impose such demands on me." As the conversation delved into these deeper subjects, the online chat exploded with energy. Comments flowed in, criticizing the blogger and questioning the integrity of the calls for boycotting violence.
There was an outpouring of support for Ye Chen's viewpoint, as many felt the prevalence of groupthink had stifled genuine discussion about the dynamics of fighting sports and their place in contemporary culture. Among the chat comments came expressions of exasperation and insights about how the stunted growth of local fighting sports could stem from such rigid perspectives. "Brother Chen articulated that perfectly! If you don't defend yourself, will you simply become a punching bag?" one viewer commented. Another added, "Are we to call it martial virtue if you go down without a fight? It's baffling how some people view this."