Because I train in MMA year-round, it creates a sense of routine and discipline.
For Ye Chen, however, there are definite challenges that come with an abrupt shift in the competitive landscape.
"First round?"
It was the veteran coach who immediately seized upon this pivotal moment, unable to suppress his astonishment.
Another coach in the room chimed in with curiosity. "From what I've seen in your documentary, you started off as a sparring partner – even for amateurs at first. So, where did you develop your wrestling skills?"
This question was shared by many, as it was evident from the early stages of Ye Chen's journey that he hadn't always been at an elite level. In fact, his skills were not even on par with those of coaches at a standard boxing gym, where many trainers often come from backgrounds with provincial-level experience. Ye Chen's initial capability seemed limited in comparison, leading many to wonder how he achieved such remarkable success today.
Ye Chen responded thoughtfully: "Everyone has a point. I didn't undergo any official training before my time as a sparring partner. The gym where I first worked was relatively small, leading to lower expectations for sparring partners. After about two weeks of training, I jumped right into the sparring."
As Ye Chen narrated his journey, he held the attention of the entire room. They listened intently, understanding the purpose of the exchange was to draw inspiration from the stories of accomplished athletes, hoping it would motivate the younger generation. Clearly, expecting significant gains in technical acumen from a few hours of discussion was overly optimistic.
Moments later, they began exchanging techniques through various disciplines. They practiced submission wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu, and even engaged in boxing matchups. GSP and Clark also participated, adding further credibility to the gathering.
As anticipated, soon after, the UFC released videos from this unique exchange meeting, including a special edit showcasing Ye Chen overpowering an NCAA first-team star wrestler. The footage demonstrated that Ye Chen earned an astonishing 60 million per appearance, which quickly captured the attention of the internet.
The world was astounded, particularly the fighting and sports communities, as well as sectors of the entertainment industry. News of Ye Chen's income dominated headlines, especially given that he had no formal fighting training before becoming a sparring partner.
Initially, when Ye Chen went public with his relationship with Catwoman, many speculated that perhaps his ego was inflated, considering his rapid rise. Yet, it has since been revealed that Ye Chen's earnings are indeed comparable to the highest-paid global celebrities.
In general, aside from Daxia, singers typically earn more than actors due to income derived from royalties. Top-tier celebrities like Jackson, Swift, and Kanye, regardless of personal preferences about their music, occupy the top echelons of the global celebrity income rankings. Last year, Swift and Pai Ye topped the annual income chart, surpassing even the highest-earning football players.
This year, if nothing surprising happens, Ye Chen is poised to take the lead. People are amazed at Ye Chen's financial success and he is living a dream life—having moved from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the sporting world. His inspiring story resonates widely, leading to rapid growth in his fan base.
In just a few short days, Ye Chen's follower count exceeded an impressive 60 million, and it continues to surge. At this point, it is clear that many in the fighting community envy Ye Chen.
A massive fan following translates to substantial financial opportunities. A football superstar with over 100 million fans can rake in millions from a single advertisement, not to mention the astronomical income generated from endorsements and sponsorships. This phenomenon explains why, in today's attention-driven environment, individuals strive to build and sustain a massive online presence to maximize their revenue potential.
Now, almost a week has passed since the exchange meeting, and everything changes dramatically on this particular day.
An incredulous exclamation echoed through Catwoman's luxurious villa.
"No, this isn't real, is it?"
Catwoman stared at Ye Chen, utterly astonished. Dana had just sent over a quotation, specifying the appearance fees for Ye Chen's prospective fights against Mayweather and Ava. The numbers displayed were staggering—Ava offered 120 million, while Mayweather commanded 180 million.
However, Catwoman was not gasping at the sheer amounts involved. What truly shocked her was the sheer magnitude of Ye Chen's earnings post-transition from sparring partner to superstar. Now, rather than being chosen by opponents, Ye Chen himself had the luxury of selecting his challengers for big fights. His star power has surged past that of all fighting superstars in history.
While the quoted figures may seem like paper numbers to some, they substantiate the immense market potential behind Ye Chen's brand. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, simply stepping into the ring means a guaranteed monumental payout.
"Itt, KE…"
Ye Chen's newfound status as a crossover star now feels almost inevitable, especially since Pelela's side was currently unresponsive to inquiries. Catwoman pointed to Mayweather's figure. "He may be small and lighter, so you likely won't sustain injuries in that bout, and even he earns more than Ava."
Under ordinary circumstances, anyone would likely gravitate towards choosing Mayweather. After all, both Ye Chen and Mayweather are currently among the elite within the fighting sphere, and their matchup would undoubtedly ignite significant public interest.
Yet Ye Chen entertained a different perspective. He took Catwoman's delicate hand and redirected her gaze toward Canelo. "I want to fight him."
"Why him? I've heard he's incredibly tough," she retorted, a hint of confusion in her voice.
Ye Chen was adamant. "Not only do I want to defeat him, but I also prefer pursuing a share of the box office rather than merely the 120 million appearance fee. What do you think?"
Catwoman stood momentarily silent, speechless as she absorbed his words.
Who could say with certainty? Yes, an appearance fee exceeding 100 million certainly dwarfed Ye Chen's typical UFC payout of 2.5 million. However, the latter constituted a fixed amount with no revenue-sharing involved. Choosing to pursue a share of box office receipts was a gamble on Ye Chen's part, betting on the possibility that his potential earnings from the wider audience at the event would yield greater returns.
Yet, could such optimism truly hold water?
"Trust me, Canelo would prove to be a clever choice. Mayweather, while still relevant, is nearing the end of his career. People want to see a matchup that highlights skill against a worthy opponent, rather than watching a skilled fighter dominate an aging legend."
Ye Chen encircled Catwoman in his arms. "When you think of it, the weight difference is minimal. In his last fight against Conor, he weighed less than 150 pounds. Standing next to him will look like standing next to you; who wants to see a giant fight a lightweight?"
Though Ava's physical stature differs greatly from Ye Chen's, she has fought at higher levels, challenging heavier opponents than Mayweather. This makes the fight intriguing from multiple angles.
Ye Chen pressed on, "This matchup offers an element of suspense and anticipation. Any fight where I face someone of a similar caliber tends to generate more interest."
Before he could finish his thought, Catwoman playfully punched him in the arm. "If you can't articulate with metaphors, maybe you should skip them. When did I ever weigh 150 pounds, anyway?"
Ye Chen chuckled softly. "You're right; my mistake. What I'm trying to emphasize is that the disparity between the two of us is substantial, and I really don't want to face a fighter who isn't challenging.
If it were merely an appearance fee arrangement, then naturally, I'd opt for Mayweather to earn that additional 60 million. However, in terms of sharing the box office income, I'm confident there's room for negotiation."
Although Ye Chen often professes that he is content with sufficient earnings, he remains driven by opportunities for growth. No amount of income feels excessive, but he respects the gravity of such decisions as they navigate their future together.
As their relationship deepens and the prospect of children becomes more tangible, Ye Chen acknowledges the need for mutual respect in decision-making. Moreover, executing such high-stakes decisions would certainly require input from Catwoman's economic team.
Ultimately, Catwoman acquiesced to Ye Chen's proposal—not merely out of respect for his viewpoint, but because of his heartfelt admission, "I want to fight Ava more than Mayweather."
For them, the financial details are secondary; what truly matters is mutual happiness. Their combined wealth can comfortably support their family regardless of the outcome.
With that settled, Ye Chen dialed Tianna's number, preparing to explore the next steps in this thrilling journey.