The thunderous punch that rocked Pereira's core sent shockwaves through the arena, and subsequent strikes intensified the drama unfolding before tens of thousands of captivated spectators. The atmosphere was electric, palpable with tension and anticipation, as everyone gathered around the colossal screen, eyes glued to the fierce duel.
With each moment that passed, the stakes grew higher; Pereira's precarious situation hinted at the impending threat of a knockout—a standing KO, an achievement so rare that even the legendary Black Dragon had never managed it. Would this be Ye Chen's moment to shine?
Those who had backed Ye Chen ahead of the match did so out of admiration for his exceptional ground game, confident that he would exploit his strengths and engage Pereira on the mat. But as soon as Pereira shoved Ye Chen away, it was clear that the fight wouldn't follow the expected script.
Ye Chen, refusing to relent, unleashed a fierce front-hand strike to Pereira's abdomen, immediately followed by a devastating backhand uppercut aimed at securing victory. This punch was a whirlwind of speed and power, seemingly destined to find its mark. But fate had other plans. Just at that moment, Pereira managed to grip Ye Chen's shoulders, thrusting him away, causing Ye Chen's precision to evaporate as his uppercut sliced through empty air.
The force of his own miscalculation propelled Ye Chen forward, directly into Pereira's calculated trap. Seizing the opportunity, Pereira delivered a lightning-fast left uppercut that connected with Ye Chen's chin. This strike was executed with a blend of cunning and velocity that caught Ye Chen off guard.
Yet, thanks to his training and keen instincts, Ye Chen reacted instinctively, lifting his shoulder to shield his chin while simultaneously stepping aside. "Bang!" The punch connected with a resounding thud on Ye Chen's shoulder, which felt as if a sledgehammer had struck him. Numbness radiated through his entire right arm, and a spark of fear flickered in his mind. Pereira was indeed a master at the counterattack, seizing every opening with precision.
Miraculously, his extensive training and combat simulations had prepared him for this very moment—he had managed to deflect the blow that could have spelled disaster. Pereira, on the other hand, was momentarily stunned; he had not anticipated his strike would miss its intended target. Now he was forced to abandon his flurry of follow-up punches and instead, wait for the perfect moment to catch Ye Chen off guard again.
Their battle was a whirlwind of quick decision-making. Pereira's attack had failed, and now he hoisted Ye Chen's neck and aimed a knee strike—but constantly aware of Pereira's maneuvers, Ye Chen was poised for defense. In an instant, he halted Pereira's advance with both hands and delivered a swift hook with his left fist to the inside of Pereira's left thigh.
Anyone who has experienced such a hit knows the excruciating pain it brings, but when executed by Ye Chen, it carried additional weight. Not only did it disrupt Pereira's attack, but it also aggravated Pereira's already injured leg further. Ye Chen, unyielding, pressed on. Grabbing hold of Pereira's left leg, he felt a rush of urgency. Pereira, realizing he could not afford to slip to the mat again, instinctively pushed Ye Chen away.
"Pa!" As Ye Chen was forcibly lifted off his feet, he spun around and executed a breathtaking kick. His heel struck Pereira's defending arm with incredible force, nearly toppling him as he stumbled against the cage. The crowd erupted, the noise almost deafening, as the scene ignited with excitement.
Ye Chen's kick was executed with ferocity and precision, a resounding blow that echoed throughout the arena, suggesting he had aimed to shatter bone. Despite this success, he chose not to press forward recklessly. The haunting memory of Pereira's left-hand flat hook lingered in his thoughts, cautioning him against further immediate engagement. Determined to maintain his distance, he drew back his leg for a quick kick, which Pereira instinctively deflected.
This initial attack wasn't meant to inflict pain but rather to serve as a distraction—an interruption in Pereira's rhythm. Yet before his feet even touched the ground, Ye Chen delivered a low sweeping kick at Pereira's legs. It landed squarely against Pereira's calf.
Despite his illustrious skill, Pereira was off-balance, still reeling from the combination of Ye Chen's earlier strikes. The weight of his leg had become a heavy burden, and he felt trapped in the rhythm of the fight; his brain fired commands that his body struggled to execute. With no option left, he braced for the inevitable as another wave of strikes was about to crash.
"Bang."
Pereira, unwilling to simply accept defeat, shifted his approach in a split second. Acknowledging the inevitability of Ye Chen's low sweep, he anticipated the move and seized the moment to unleash a straight punch aimed at Ye Chen's midsection. As Ye Chen lowered himself to sweep, he layered his defense, knowing full well he was vulnerable. Though he tried to deflect the punch, it connected, further heightening the intensity of the struggle.
Yet, amid the chaos, Ye Chen's instincts kicked in. He renewed his resolve; as soon as he pulled back his right leg, he shifted his stance for another strike. A loud "pop" reverberated through the arena as his sweeping kick landed mid-thigh.
Unapologetically, he pressed the advantage, striking while the iron was hot. The moment his left leg planted firmly against the ground, it wasn't just for show—it was a feint to prepare for a calculating low sweep. He had one singular goal: to target Pereira's vulnerable left leg.
The ring was unforgiving; mercy had no place in this brutal ballet of combat. If one wasn't willing to discard their weaknesses to survive, then defeat was the only option. Yet for those like Ye Chen, engaging those weaknesses was a chance for glory—a tantalizing invitation to seize the moment and fight through adversity.