In the fighting circle, it's clear that top players cannot solely rely on hype; a combination of relevance and real skill is essential. Ava is a prime example of this balance. Not only is he a trending figure, but he is also a master of defensive counterattacks and a notable force in his weight division. While it might be debatable whether he's the best, there's no denying that Ava stands firmly among the strongest counterattack specialists in the boxing realm.
From the very beginning of the match, Ava seemed to have control over Ye Chen. However, instead of opting for a broad-based offensive like many players do, he adopted a more strategic approach—like a predator lying in wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. Using his speed, he unleashed a series of harassing punches that kept Ye Chen under pressure. Remarkably, even as Ava advanced, his defensive instincts were sharply attuned, allowing him to respond with incredible swiftness. In the Octagon, very few can evade Ye Chen's "quick jab" when he charges forward, a skill backed by months of rigorous training that had honed his talents significantly over the last five months.
With his boxing skills at a commendable level of 29, Ye Chen felt more self-assured and prepared to face formidable opponents like Wusman and Covington. However, he found himself caught off guard. As Ava closed in to apply pressure, he deftly avoided Ye Chen's jab. Ye Chen's respect for Ava as the boxing king was palpable, yet Ava was equally surprised. Typically, in such high-stakes battles, opponents tend to exhibit weaknesses, but Ye Chen continued to resist Ava's advances and expertly maintained his distance, sidestepping the powerful right-hand punch.
Thoughts raced through both fighters' minds, but their bodies remained in motion. Ava executed a calculated sidestep, harnessing his core strength to launch a back fist. However, the gap between them was too great, providing Ye Chen with a crucial split second to react. The punch fell short of its target, momentarily throwing off Ava's balance as he adjusted to the unexpected outcome.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Chen shifted his footing and delivered an almost instantaneous straight punch with impressive speed. At the same moment, Ava appeared to anticipate Ye Chen's movements. As his center of gravity wavered, Ava engaged every muscle, ready to unleash a combination the instant he spotted an opening upon Ye Chen's uppercut.
Yet, Ava miscalculated. Typically, most boxers would rely on an uppercut in such a moment, potentially sealing their victory. But Ye Chen had different intentions. He opted for the fastest and heaviest straight punch in his arsenal. Though Ava had already initiated a dodging move, it barely allowed him to evade the uppercut entirely. This powerful punch skimmed the top of his head, grazing his ears, and connected solidly with Ava's shoulder.
Simultaneously, Ava's back fist came crashing in. The impact was immense. Thankfully, Ye Chen's extensive training with defensive counterattacks had prepared him for such scenarios. He managed to tilt his head back just in time, shielding himself as the punch collided with his elbow, where he had been guarding.
Despite taking some damage, Ye Chen was struck fast and managed to maneuver to Ava's left side, throwing a straight punch that connected with the side of Ava's face. But Ava was swift; he dipped low to evade, deftly sliding into range to score a vertical punch near Ye Chen's shoulder. Naturally, Ye Chen was not about to allow himself to be cornered. He expertly deflected the incoming punch with his lead hand and continued to maneuver around, meticulously controlling the distance.
Given Ava's shorter wingspan, he realized that to inflict damage, he'd need to rely on quick bursts of speed and agility to create openings amidst Ye Chen's strikes. This strategy echoes how Tyson, standing at 1.78 meters, overcame larger opponents in the heavyweight class. In a mid-to-long-distance fight, the earlier reach would generally confer advantages—unless the disparity in skill was significant.
Additionally, Ava felt a pressing urgency to end the bout quickly. He perceived that Ye Chen's boxing skills did not match his own level, and buzz surrounding their match suggested that if he couldn't finish Ye Chen in the first three rounds, his chances of victory would diminish drastically. In contrast, Ye Chen was acutely aware of Ava's intent to secure an early win, as well as the advantage Ava held in reach. Therefore, it would have been reckless for Ye Chen to engage closely with such a formidable opponent.
Moving in a circular motion to avoid Ava's relentless pursuit, Ye Chen kept his guard up. Meanwhile, the audience was taken aback as they noticed blood trickling from Ava's left ear, running down his cheek and onto his neck.
"Ava is actually injured? And it's only been a minute since the match began…"
"What just happened? How did he get hit?"
"Is Ye Chen really that skilled? His footwork is rapid, surprising for an MMA fighter."
The crowd buzzed with astonishment. The commentators shared the same sentiment.
One commentator exclaimed, "Ava has sustained an injury; that punch from Ye Chen was incredibly quick and precise, landing right on his ear. Let's see if the referee will intervene and pause the match for this."
Though gloves mitigate the impact of punches to the face in boxing to some extent compared to UFC, the long-term sequelae risks in boxing remain alarmingly high, sometimes leading to significant injuries like concussions. AMMA, by contrast, distributes the focus of attacks across the body.
"It's astonishing that no one foresaw Ava being at a disadvantage this early in the fight," another commentator remarked.
"Yes, Ye Chen's a remarkable talent. I've watched countless videos of his performances. This fight is making it evident: he should not be defined by his previous skills alone. His evolution is undeniable. Just look at that dodge, that pace, and that pinpoint straight punch," a third commentator noted.
Despite the apparent shift in momentum, none of the referees were misled into believing that Ye Chen held the upper hand just because Ava was bleeding. Rather, they noted that Ava had thus far failed to mount any significant offense. Conversely, Ye Chen had found success in his attacks, even if the initial punch had not completely landed.
Ava, aware of his condition, felt the heat seeping into his ears, but he steeled himself, pushing aside the embarrassment of being injured by Ye Chen. After all, he was a celebrated boxing champion, having dominated four weight classes. Undeterred, Ava pressed forward once more, this time avoiding jumping or sliding, instead keeping his hands raised, determined to regain control of the match.