Ye Chen promptly communicated the latest updates to Dana, urging him to make arrangements without delay. Dana was even more anxious than Ye Chen, as he hoped for players to engage in matches around the clock, maximizing profit opportunities. Ye Chen was a special case; his interest in fighting brought a level of significance that set him apart. Initially, Dana had reservations about Ye Chen stepping into the ring with Chimaev. However, the situation had shifted dramatically, and Dana was increasingly wary of crossing Ye Chen.
Taking a cue from Connor, he knew that if a fighter goes off-grid for two years, even their popularity and ticket sales would dwindle to nothing. The audience was buzzing with anticipation about the forthcoming events, and the stakes were only getting higher. If Chimaev fought Wusman in his next match, there was a possibility that he might not secure a win, despite professional analysts within the organization believing he had the edge. The company had employed several analysts to scrutinize fight data, leading to the consensus that Ye Chen had seemingly hit his peak, unable to maintain a continuous upward trajectory unless he secured the middleweight title.
But was that truly feasible? The opportunities for Ye Chen's growth seemed confined to challenges against significantly larger opponents or someone of both prestige and strength, like Wolf. Victory in such fights could potentially elevate his popularity further. On the other hand, analysts had raised concerns about Ye Chen's capacity to handle the intense frequency of competitions, predicting that it was only a matter of time before he faced a setback. Before Ye Chen tasted defeat, it became essential to arrange his fights strategically. The prevailing sentiment within the UFC was that Ye Chen was on a path toward losing if he continued to battle. Beating Chimaev became the preferred option, especially since Pereira had shown limited growth after being defeated previously. If there had to be a loss, losing to Chimaev seemed far more favorable, as his potential to shine as a superstar was evidently greater than that of Pereira.
This event was initially scheduled to unfold in the chilly haven of Shou'er. The plans had originally included Han Zombie, who was set to retire and spearhead the digital competition. However, those plans fizzled out due to Han's arm injury. The UFC was left to ponder a replacement to lead this Asian digital community, but suddenly, the opportunity presented itself. Ye Chen, with his immense influence, was now in a position to energize the entire Asian market.
When Dana reached out to Chimaev's team once more, the tone was decidedly firmer. Chimaev had surged as the prime challenger, and turning down this opportunity would mean losing the chance for this bout. The weight of the situation hit Chimaev's team hard. Chimaev was thrilled, feeling a sense of urgency and anticipation. In his eyes, a victory over Ye Chen would elevate him into the limelight, positioning him as the next face of the UFC. What greater prize could there be?
Finally, a sense of clarity emerged as the tenth day approached, the match began to crystallize. Updates from Chimaev filtered through, and now it was just a matter of the UFC ironing out the details of the competition contracts with both Ye Chen and Ye Mo Shifang before they could finalize the deal. Miraculously, Ye Chen's physical condition had improved substantially, and the doctor had green-lighted him for moderate training. Nevertheless, Dana still insisted on a routine maintenance schedule at the UFC Elite Training Center once a week, incorporating massages and cupping treatments into the mix. Given that Ye Chen had to train daily there, this arrangement was convenient.
Unbeknownst to him, two and a half months had passed since his confrontation with Covington. The anticipated match between Black Dragons and Pereira was receiving an extensive promotional blitz, with the bout set to unfold in Vegas in just twenty-three days. Both camps were fervently building their narratives leading up to the fight.
On this particular morning, Ye Chen arrived at the elite training center as usual. The moment he stepped inside, he sensed an unmistakable shift in the atmosphere. Members of the press buzzed around, and UFC promotional staff were hard at work filming various segments. "Are you here in Vegas so early to prepare for the fight?" one of them called out. Although he had donned a hat and mask, keen-eyed reporters still recognized him. "Ye Chen, are you assisting Black Dragon in his preparation for battle?"
Confusion washed over him. He tuned into the chatter, slowly piecing together the scenario. Black Dragon had touched down in Las Vegas the previous afternoon, gearing up for his upcoming fight by training at this facility. As a prominent UFC figure, Black Dragon naturally attracted a swarm of media attention, so it was not terribly surprising.
Recently, Ye Chen had faced a flurry of interviews, and after being unexpectedly photographed by entertainment reporters during a private moment with Catwoman, he had chosen to keep a low profile. "I'm just here for my regular training and rehabilitation," he clarified. Although he had crossed paths with Black Dragon in the past, it had been during a time when Black Dragon was still a lightweight.
A reporter chimed in with a question, "Are you here alone? Why isn't Annie accompanying you? Did something happen between you two?" Another quickly added, "Just a while ago, we saw you and an Asian woman having fun by a pool. Is that why there's tension?" Ye Chen felt his frustration mounting. How could they dredge up something so personal?
News about him and Catwoman's outing had exploded, thanks to intrusive paparazzi who had invaded his privacy, capturing shots of him interacting with her by their villa's pool. In the wake of those revelations, speculation about his relationship status had skyrocketed. Reporters bombarded Catwoman daily, questioning the nature of their relationship and even branding Ye Chen as a playboy with insatiable whims.
To make matters worse, rumors had started circulating in China, with marketing accounts fabricating wild narratives. His parents, catching wind of this sensationalism, scolded him mercilessly. "Anne has been caught up with work and is likely still asleep, so let's not dwell on that. There are no issues between us, and I'd appreciate it if you refrained from stirring up this topic any further," he said, trying to quench the fire.
Just as he spoke, a flashy yellow sports car roared past, catching the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Following closely was an imposing Escalade. The luxury vehicles came to a stop in a vacant area, and soon, a tall figure with striking pink hair emerged from the sports car, adorned in an eye-catching, two-dimensional fashion. It was none other than the formidable Black Dragon.
Ye Chen could vaguely recall a time when Black Dragon had similarly dyed his hair pink before a pivotal match, only to revert to black shortly before the event due to family advice indicating that bright hair would make him an easy target during fights. Despite the buzz surrounding the arrival, reporters maintained their focus on Ye Chen, who could feel the spotlight intensifying.
One reporter pressed on, "You've expressed interest in moving up to middleweight. Who do you predict will win between Black Dragon and Pereira, and who would you rather face next?" Another added, "Do you root for Black Dragon or Pereira? The victor could very well become your next major opponent and the most significant hurdle on your journey to the Triple Crown."
The tension in the air thickened; being prodded for a response in front of Black Dragon felt incredibly provocative. It seemed these journalists were eager to stoke the flames of rivalry, playground antics going straight to the heart of professional competition. As Black Dragon approached with a gaggle of supporters, he surveyed the scene but remained oblivious to Ye Chen's presence, greeting someone else warmly instead.