Everyone can see it.
Ye Chen's performance in Philadelphia during the last match left a significant mark on Ava. At the very least, I was spared another significantly painful punch to the gut. Suddenly, roles seemed to shift. It was disconcerting for everyone involved. Typically, such outcomes are rare in the sport. Even Ava and his team found themselves puzzled. Ava even found himself questioning everything he believed in. No one could truly grasp the state of his emotions at that moment. He had no intention of being defeated. Winning was the only thing on his mind. Even the prospect of broken ribs would not deter him.
As Ye Chen confidently took center stage in the ring, he unleashed a sharp jab with intense determination. Ava's head snapped away from the center line, and with a nimble retreat, he deftly dodged the blow. His wrap step technique was in play once again. Regardless of what Ye Chen attempted, Ava was resolute in his desire not to be cornered. Their jabs met tentatively at first. Upon that initial touch, Ava instinctively retreated. The uncertainty of Ye Chen's next move clouded his judgment. Consequently, he opted for extreme caution, choosing not to act unless the opportunity was indisputable.
Ye Chen quickly recognized Ava's hesitation. In the previous round, he had skillfully evaded sharp, aggressive movements from Ava, making it challenging for him to keep pace. Yet, this time, the tables appeared to have turned, making it equally difficult for Ye Chen to find a rhythm. Of course, the term "catch up" here referred to identifying appropriate offensive openings rather than mere pursuit. Anyone can chase someone, but half-hearted attempts to close the gap could leave one vulnerable. Failing to maintain an ideal distance often results in unnecessary punishment. Ye Chen was scanning for opportunities and formulating plans to break through Ava's defenses.
Suddenly, an idea struck him; he recalled how Ava had relentlessly pursued him in the previous encounter, bulldozing his way through by stepping into his midline. However, that strategy was quickly dismissed. He reminded himself to stay calm. A sudden shift into an unfamiliar stance could result in severe repercussions.
The limit of two quick jabs could arguably be considered a reach beyond the designated attack range. As expected, Ava sidestepped effectively and batted away the offending jabs without issue. But just as Ava slapped away the second jab, Ye Chen's feet reacted instinctively; he sprang into action, launching an explosive backhand straight punch. Fueled by the kinetic energy of his jump, the punch unfurled with blistering speed. Ava had been caught off guard, leaving him with no time to evade or even defend against the arm that had just struck Ye Chen's front jab.
Yet, Ava's reflexes were sharp. With no chance for defense, he took the offensive route. Leaning back to avoid damage, he executed a backhand flat hook aimed directly at Ye Chen's right side. Yet Ye Chen had anticipated this move. As the jab retracted, he swiftly pivoted his body to angle away, preparing for the impact.
"Bang."
With tremendous force, he connected directly with Ava's face. A single blow resulted in a burst of blood from Ava's nose. Although the punch appeared to carry significant weight, Ava's earlier reflexes had allowed him to evade most of its force by leaning backward and sidestepping. In precise terms, the punch glanced off Ava's cheekbone before striking the bridge of his nose, causing the injury.
"Bang."
Almost instantaneously, Ye Chen felt retaliation. Ava, recognizing Ye Chen's vulnerability, aimed a strike towards his right rib. However, noticing Ye Chen's evasive maneuver, Ava adjusted his punch mid-flight, transforming his flat hook into a full swinging punch. This strike landed squarely on Ye Chen's head.
Both fighters understood the reality of the situation. While this punch appeared substantial, its origins lay within Ava's hurried execution. The transition from a flat hook to a swinging punch lacked the power, as the two fighters were too close to land a decisive blow. Ye Chen remained unfazed, showing no signs of disturbance. Clearly, Ava had accounted for this; immediately after his punch, he advanced his steps and executed a vicious shoulder-sinking uppercut aimed at Ye Chen's ribs.
This was Ava's true objective: to test whether Ye Chen's ribs were genuinely compromised. His cunning technique involved disguising continuous attacks on the same side, and his unpredictability shone through brilliantly. Yet Ye Chen, adeptly recognizing the threat, instinctively protected his right rib. Regardless, Ava seized any opportunity that was presented.
"Bang."
This punch lacked power but created an unmistakable effect, producing a resonant thud as it struck Ye Chen's right rib. However, Ye Chen had timed it perfectly so that Ava's punch connected at an unanticipated angle. It wasn't merely luck; Ye Chen had bent his legs and lowered his center of gravity just as Ava's punch was thrown. The impact was miscalculated, ending up closer to his armpit than his ribs.
"Bang."
Simultaneously, Ye Chen retaliated. A front hand punch connected with the side of Ava's head. Due to the rapidity of the opponent's flick, landing a hook proved challenging; therefore, executing a straight punch remained an even greater difficulty. Instead, he opted to deliver a downward hammer strike. Ava would need to maneuver himself out of the striking range.
Even without tremendous force, that blow still caused Ava to reel back in shock. Ye Chen, battling through the throbbing pain in his armpit, unleashed a stunning back fist strike. At this crucial moment, Ava's midsection was left unguarded. Seizing the opportunity, Ye Chen targeted Ava's stomach with fierce determination.
It was all unfolding in a matter of seconds. In just two or three beats, Ye Chen transitioned from a jab and feint to delivering consecutive punches to Ava's vulnerable core. He could not afford to let this chance slip away. As the back fist landed firmly against Ava's abdomen, he retracted his fist halfway and followed up with another powerful punch, determined to exploit the soft spots in the human body.
Ava gasped, the air knocked out of him. There was no doubt that this encounter was shaping up to be a fierce contest, as both combatants continued to test each other's limits. As Ye Chen stepped forward, maintaining his aggressive stance, he readied himself for whatever came next.