It's essential to highlight certain facts. Given that we are competing in a chilly country, this time's main event features none other than Li Zhengyong. On some level, Ye Chen finds himself in a position to thank this individual; it was Li Zhengyong who opened the doors for Ye Chen to enter the UFC. Yet this time, the scenario is somewhat flipped, as Ye Chen's rise has also benefited Li Zhengyong immensely.
Without a doubt, prior to Ye Chen's emergence on the scene, Zhang Weili was the reigning queen of female UFC fighters in Asia, while Zombie Zheng Chansung held the top position among the male fighters. Thus, there was never any question regarding their capacities, particularly in retirement clashes and navigating the intense atmosphere of the Cold War. However, due to an injury, Zheng had to retire unexpectedly, which initially threw this phase of Shou'er Station into jeopardy.
Fortunately, thanks to Ye Chen's inclusion, this digital competition could successfully be staged in Han Country. Li Zhengyong's last-minute entry into the main event has also been received positively. Indeed, he has proven to be quite a formidable opponent. Over the past two or three years, he has participated in several UFC fights, consistently showcasing an energetic style that had garnered considerable attention. Particularly in this cold country, his popularity soared to remarkable heights, with many speculating that he might achieve greater success than the legendary Zombie.
This upcoming match is critical for him; leveraging Ye Chen's momentum, he has set his sights on battling the number one-ranked fighter. A victory here would propel him into the coveted top fifteen of the featherweight division, marking his most significant fight to date. The atmosphere surrounding Ye Chen has already been electric in Han Country, especially following the captivating scene at the airport where he was photographed by fans; the internet has exploded with questions about his identity and presence.
In the ensuing days, Ye Chen has been thoroughly engaged with promotional activities. StarMuseum has made substantial investments in marketing this event, recognizing that heightened popularity translates to increased revenue. The promotional strategy, however, has grown increasingly bewildering for Ye Chen, who finds himself spotlighted on various variety shows and featured on his company's popular reality series. Interactions with members of various girl groups have labeled him as a rising traffic star.
Nevertheless, Ye Chen's appeal is undeniable, which mitigates any sense of dissonance felt during this promotional push. Still, he feels a sense of resignation. With contracts signed that stipulate cooperation in promotional endeavors, there's little he can do. Soon, videos and news of his activities reached back to China, leaving Daxia netizens astounded. Particularly affected were die-hard fans, often described as fat nerds who adore girl groups.
Although many were somewhat aware of who Ye Chen was beforehand and had stumbled upon clips of his matches, none anticipated that he would now be socializing with their beloved idols.
[My Yoona... Isn't this Ye Chen a boxer? Why is he involved in the entertainment industry?]
[What a pity for my Erin; she doesn't seem interested in Ye Chen. The way she gazes at him during the show is so different.]
[You're overthinking. It's merely a reality show. Besides, even if she were truly interested, Brother Chen is out of reach. Are you neglecting Anne's figure and appearance?]
[Dahan girl groups are well-known in the chaebol circle.]
[It appears Goddess Anne didn't accompany Brother Chen this time. I hope she's not too anxious. Those affluent circles can be very unpredictable. I just hope Brother Chen stays out of trouble.]
[Rest assured, Goddess Anne is far more attractive than these plastic surgery experiments.]
[Honestly, misunderstandings about men abound. As long as a woman is aggressive and knows what she wants, men are generally unable to resist…]
[Fingers crossed, but I hope Brother Chen doesn't let these distractions impact the game. The competition is imminent, and if he's weak onstage and gets easily dispatched by the dog king, it'll truly be a spectacle.]
[It's true; countless fighters have tasted defeat at the hands of women. Just think of the girl groups—there's bound to be more than a few of them. Who can withstand such temptation?]
Later that night, as Ye Chen settled into bed following a shower, he was inundated with private messages urging him to take it easy. He couldn't help but marvel at the vivid imaginations of these netizens. Despite the chaotic nature of the industry, it mirrors that of the workplace, the entertainment sector, and virtually every other space where people mingle. The entertainment world simply attracts more scrutiny due to the abundance of stunning faces and charismatic personalities.
Even in less glamorous workplaces, such as when seeking a front desk position at a local hotel, the experience can dramatically alter a naive individual's worldview. Yet, Ye Chen remained grounded. Now that he possesses significant allure, it's entirely within his control—whether or not he desires closer relations with women is a choice he's making. Moreover, he already has a substantial connection with a girlfriend who has her own expectations regarding appearance and financial standing, so he sees no point in complicating matters further. Besides, this visit to the cold country isn't permanent; they aren't laying down roots here, which makes the chances of collaboration slim after this event.
The promotional campaign ramped up as the competition date drew near. Just ten days later, Chimaev and the other competitors began to arrive one after another. Both the UFC and StarMuseum intensified their advertising efforts. Chimaev remained as brash as ever, known for stirring up drama in various settings. During one show, he playfully flirted with members of a popular StarMuseum boy band, showing that he yearned to join their ranks. Chimaev couldn't fully be blamed, either, as a charming boy band member had playfully mocked Chimaev's beard, likening it to that of a terrorist. Luckily, his team intervened before things escalated; otherwise, Chimaev might have made quite a scene.
Despite this incident becoming quite the talk, especially since that boy band had seen a surge in popularity in Dahan over the last couple of years, Chimaev made headlines once more. He publicly stated in a separate interview his intention to bring the men's team into the Octagon, boldly claiming he could put all of them to sleep in just three minutes. This statement sparked outrage among the boy band's fans, but ironically, it served to elevate the event's profile, leading even more fans to rally behind Ye Chen—many of whom had previously had no interest in fighting.
The UFC appreciated Chimaev's knack for maintaining engagement, realizing that as long as he didn't cross any lines, generating interest remained paramount. The opinions of the men's team and their fans were of little concern to the UFC; the focus was always on the value of ticket sales.
At the pre-game press conference, Dana White arrived in Han Country to lead the proceedings. Other fighters had taken their places on stage, with Li Zhengyong proving particularly vocal. Though his ranking wouldn't ordinarily grant him a platform at such events, the enthusiasm in this cold country mirrored Ye Chen's first fight in Daxia.
"Now, coming to the stage is a mixed martial arts fighter from the Swedish All-Star Training Hall. He holds an impressive record of twelve wins and zero losses in MMA, having finished eleven of his opponents. Please welcome Kamza Chimaev…"
The audience's response was notably frosty, with a chorus of boos raining down upon him. However, Chimaev seemed unfazed, sprinting to the stage and enthusiastically shouting to the crowd, "Woo..."
"Next, we have a superstar of the fighting world! Hailing from Asia, he boasts twelve victories in just over three years. Without a doubt, he is a prodigy within the Asian fighting community—Daxia's own Ye Chen."
The announcer's voice rang out clearly. Ye Chen, familiar with this format from his numerous press conferences, didn't feel as much pressure this time around. Without his supportive partner Catwoman present, he opted for more casual attire, appearing on stage dressed in his everyday clothing. However, the applause and cheers for him were nearly as loud as those for Li Zhengyong.
With the press conference officially underway, anticipation filled the air as the fighters prepared for the competition ahead.