"Crazy—a crazy game, a crazy win..." The man in charge of the interview couldn't help but exclaim into the microphone as he looked at Ye Chen, his eyes filled with excitement and disbelief. "Ye Chen, you've won it all tonight. You've become the brightest star in the world. Can you tell us how you're feeling right now?"
Ye Chen took a moment to gather his thoughts. The atmosphere was charged with energy, yet he felt slightly out of place with the style of the interview. This wasn't a familiar setup—it wasn't DC or Rogan grilling him. It felt different, and he couldn't shake off the nervousness.
Nevertheless, he accepted the microphone confidently. "Everyone knows this is my first cross-border competition and my first official match in a boxing ring. It's an incredibly valuable experience, and I'm immensely excited at the moment. This might be one of the most significant victories of my career."
As he spoke, he continued, "I want to acknowledge Ava. He's an exceptional boxer. In those three rounds, I witnessed his relentless spirit. Without a doubt, he's a legend. I've learned so much from him."
The crowd erupted in applause, and the praise heaped upon him grew louder. Despite being known for his bravado before every fight, Ye Chen's respect for his opponents shone through, and this humility resonated with many boxing fans. The deeper the respect he showed for Ava, the more it proved that Ye Chen had indeed undergone a transformation, a rebirth of sorts in the ring.
Meanwhile, Ava sat slumped in his corner, gazing at Ye Chen with a complicated mix of emotions. He had envisioned being the one in the spotlight, receiving accolades and recognition. Instead, he found himself a spectator in a fight he had anticipated winning. Confusion clouded his mind as he processed this unexpected outcome.
The interviewer continued, "Tonight, you've shocked the world. You're now one of the hottest superstars in the fighting arena. What are your plans moving forward? With this win, many people are eager to see you transition into the boxing universe. What's your take on this?"
As soon as those words left his lips, the crowd's excitement surged. Ye Chen's fans cheered uproariously, energized by the potential of future bouts. Out of the crowd, someone shouted, "Beat Mayweather and break his winning streak!" Instantly, that remark set off a wave of enthusiastic yells and cheers, the atmosphere resembling the frenzy of a talk show more than a boxing event.
The cameras panned to the front row, focusing on Mayweather himself. He stood up, adjusting the collar of his eye-catching leopard-print suit, and shouted something into the camera. The excitement in the arena was palpable, but because of the lack of radio coverage, the words were lost to the frenzied fans.
As Ye Chen's supporters erupted in jubilation, Dana White and the UFC executives watched with rising anxiety. The public call-out for boxing seemed brazen, especially with Ye Chen now a tremendous cash cow. Dana couldn't believe the interviewer had asked such a question in front of everyone.
In a swift move, he took the microphone from a nearby assistant and addressed the audience. "Ye Chen's performance tonight is a moment that'll be etched in the history of MMA. He is a born fighter, and he's never backed down from a challenge. However, he prefers to compete in the Octagon, as he dreams of becoming a UFC triple crown champion and maybe even more. After this victory, we have plans to set him up for a significant challenge in his weight class. He's definitely deserving of a super fight at middleweight."
Dana paused momentarily, as if recalling something important. "Speaking of rewards, we agreed that if Ye Chen won this fight, he would receive a bonus of 30 million. I think we can all agree that he has more than earned that bonus..."
The audience's response to Dana's words was electric. Gasps of astonishment filled the room; the prospect of a 30 million bonus lit up their eyes in disbelief. This wasn't just a victory; it was a bonanza.
But the interview wasn't done yet. The person at the helm continued diligently, "Ye Chen, you have not only garnered praise and accolades, but you've also exhibited remarkable vision. Before this fight, you turned down a staggering 120 million offer to participate. From what I've gathered, the PPV sales from this match have eclipsed even those of Mayweather and Pacquiao. You could be on the verge of surpassing Mayweather's record of 280 million for a single match and become the first person in history to do so. How does that make you feel? What gave you the confidence to reject such an enticing contract when the stakes were so high? You know, if you had lost, your shares could have been slashed in half—an amount worth hundreds of millions..."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The potential income of over 300 million was mind-boggling. They were left in awe, a sense of disbelief hanging in the air. Even Dana was taken aback—not by the figure itself, as he was well aware of the PPV sales, but at the audacity of the interviewer to mention such numbers right after announcing the 30 million bonus.
Dana's gaze shifted to the promoters behind the scenes who had been actively involved in promoting this event. He could see their murmurs, and realization dawned upon him: they had orchestrated this interview to amplify the stakes, potentially to benefit their interests after Ye Chen's remarkable victory.
Yet there was no turning back now. Ye Chen, standing taller than ever, had become a symbol of hope, excitement, and the unpredictable nature of the fight world. As the microphone continued to pass between the excited interviewer and the electrified audience, Ye Chen readied himself for whatever came next—confident and hungry for the battles that lay ahead.