The atmosphere in the arena that night was nothing short of electric, and the scene inside the ring left every spectator astonished. Fans across the globe were glued to their screens, mouths agape, as they struggled to comprehend what they were witnessing. This was not the outcome they had anticipated. How could Ye Chen, an MMA fighter, hold his own against the formidable Ava to this extent? Where was the promised crushing victory? Had all the analyses and predictions crafted by supposed "experts" been completely misguided?
It wasn't just the boxing fans who were left in disbelief; even the professional boxers seated ringside were taken aback. Among them, Mei Weese was particularly speechless, feeling an overwhelming shock that was difficult to articulate. Just before the match, he had confidently predicted that Ye Chen would not make it past the third round. Although he had previously defeated Ava, he had done so when Ava was still a young fighter. Back then, Ava was in his early twenties, still finding his footing in the world of boxing. At that time, losing to Mei had seemed plausible for someone still developing his skills.
But now, Ava had transformed from that young prospect into a genuine warrior, an established P4P king, and a true superstar in the boxing universe. No one, including Mei, had envisioned that Ye Chen and Ava could engage in such an exhilarating battle.
As the action unfolded, nearly everyone in the front row rose to their feet, swept up in the energy of the fight. Cameras zoomed in on the lineup of astonished faces, capturing their shock in real time. The trio of commentators could do little more than react in awe. One commentator remarked, "He truly deserves to be recognized as a UFC superstar. His strength is absolutely remarkable. Even venturing into the boxing world, he is undoubtedly capable of achieving great success."
One might wonder if this was simply a competition of commentary, but it was far from that. The commentators, like everyone else in the arena, were overwhelmed, and their spontaneous reactions reflected the excitement spinning around them. Hearing those words stirred a mix of exhilaration and trepidation in Dana, who couldn't quite contain his feelings.
Before the match, there had been a promise of a staggering $30 million bonus for Ye Chen if he clinched victory. For context, even Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather hadn't earned that much from their celebrated bout. There were boasts and bravado surrounding the event, but deep down, many had doubted Ye Chen's chances against a seasoned boxer like Ava. Yet, as they observed the unfolding drama, Dana felt a surge of hope. If Ye Chen indeed triumphed, what would $30 million mean in the grander scheme?
Beating the current champion would yield benefits far beyond that monetary reward. If Ye Chen succeeded against Ava, it would elevate the entire UFC brand and magnify the status of MMA, which has often been overshadowed by the prestige of boxing. The potential for publicity could eclipse even the impressive figure of $30 million.
But in the midst of his optimistic thoughts, Dana couldn't shake an underlying anxiety. Following the buzz surrounding the termination of Iron Blood's contract, he was acutely aware of the ramifications if Ye Chen switched sports. The backlash could be monumental, causing him sleepless nights.
As Dana pondered these scenarios, some powerful backers and promoters lurking in the shadows began formulating grand plans to elevate Ye Chen's career beyond that of Ava and Mei Weiss. They envisioned a champion who would outshine any boxing superstar in history and even ascend to the pinnacle of sports stardom worldwide. However, it was essential to recognize that these efforts weren't genuinely for Ye Chen's benefit. Instead, they were interested in leveraging Ye Chen's success for their profit, as top-tier sports icons have incredible wealth-generating capabilities.
On the flip side, some latecomers to the betting scene were feeling utterly frustrated, their faces twisted in anger. They had eagerly wagered on an Ava victory, expecting it to be a safe bet. What was once seen as a foolproof investment now appeared far less reliable.
Inside the ring, a pivotal moment unfolded as Ye Chen unleashed a clean hook that connected solidly with Ava. Despite Ava's desperate attempts to evade the blow, he was marginally too slow. The impact reverberated like thunder, landing squarely on his jaw. The force behind that punch was nothing short of devastating. For a moment, Ava felt as if his entire being had been jolted, the shockwave ruffling his brown-red hair as sweat and blood cascaded from him.
In an instant, Ava appeared to lose consciousness, collapsing back against the ropes. But simultaneously, he managed to land a punch on Ye Chen, despite the latter's evasive maneuvers. The solid impact struck Ye Chen square in the face, sending him stumbling backward and momentarily dimming his vision. The force was potent enough to rattle his brain, nearly disorienting him completely.
Instinctively, Ye Chen extended his arms and grasped the ropes for support, desperate to regain his balance. He staggered, relying on the rope to prevent himself from hitting the canvas. An eerie hush enveloped the crowd. The earlier chants of support for Canelo were replaced by stunned silence, as if time itself had frozen for a few agonizing moments.
As Ava fell to the ground, the tension in the arena broke like a dam. The crowd erupted into an uproar, their disbelief turning into a chorus of cheers and shouts. Many fans couldn't contain their emotions, howling in excitement and pain combined. Ava, known for his dominant prowess, had actually been knocked down by Ye Chen, a fighter who had made the transition from MMA to boxing—a feat that seemed unfathomable just moments prior.
Was Ye Chen, who had surged through the fighting world in only three years to attain superstardom, truly invincible? After all, he had only prepared for this bout for a mere five months. Coupled with his pre-existing boxing skills, he had successfully managed to achieve a knockout against Ava. If he were to continue training for three more years, would he dominate multiple weight classes in boxing?
Just as the crowd was catching its breath, they noticed something remarkable: Ava was stirring. He pushed himself off the ground, his hands bracing against it as he awaited the referee's count. Lowering his head, he shook it slightly in an attempt to shake off the disorientation. As he did so, blood splattered around him, a chilling reminder of the struggle he had just endured.
Ye Chen, still leaning against the ropes, couldn't grasp the reality of what he was seeing. Ava was rising after such a tremendous blow? His chin was indeed something extraordinary—perhaps crafted from titanium alloy. Even after a punch like that, he was getting back up.
But gut instinct told Ye Chen that the referee might still adhere to protocol and declare the match over, given how battered both boxers appeared. Ava was a mess, his face marred with blood, and the potential for a stoppage loomed large according to boxing rules. The fate of the match hung in the balance as the crowd waited with bated breath.