Bab 109: ### Chapter 109: I'm Not Interested in Socialites
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) includes various fighting sports like boxing, Muay Thai, grappling, Sanda, Taekwondo, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and more. The largest MMA event in the world is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), often called the Iron Cage War because matches take place in an octagonal cage.
The competition is divided into different weight classes and uses fingerless gloves. The rules allow both standing strikes and ground grappling until one opponent loses the ability to fight. This time, the match is open-weight, making it particularly dangerous.
Before the match, Richard resumed practicing martial arts he hadn't trained in a while, including Muay Thai, kickboxing, grappling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His opponent, Mark Henry, was incredibly strong and powerful; getting hit by one of his punches could be very painful.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At noon, Richard was practicing in the gym, using his fists, elbows, knees, and other body parts to strike a tire, honing his body's flexibility.
"Hey, Richard, I heard you're going to Mark's fight party?" Norman Holliday walked into the gym and asked.
"You heard?"
"Yes, that guy is very high-profile this time, inviting all the wealthy heirs in the New York area. Of course, I was invited too. When I heard you were participating, I rushed back to see."
Richard nodded and continued his training.
Norman watched with raised eyebrows as Richard relentlessly struck the hard rubber tire with his fists and shoulders, seemingly impervious to pain.
"Richard, do you have a grudge against Mark Wickness?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Isn't it obvious? Mark Henry is known as the World's Strongest Man, a beast. He arranged for such a person to fight you just to get you beaten up."
"Yes, there's some conflict. He harassed Gisele."
"Wow, didn't you beat him up? Damn, that's unfair. You beat me up last time I harassed Gisele. Why didn't you beat him up? Do you think I'm easier to bully?" Norman grumbled.
"I heard you've been working out. Want to spar?" Richard asked, stopping his practice.
"Oh no, I was just saying. But it's a good thing you didn't beat him up. That guy is tough to deal with. His godfather is the Brooklyn tycoon Epstein."
"Epstein? The founder and chairman of Epstein Financial Trust? I heard that when Epstein was just starting, Mark's father helped him, and their families have deep ties. Epstein has connections in politics and business, and even in the boxing world. If you had hit him, you'd have had a hard time in the boxing world."
"Really? How many lives does Mark have?" Richard asked, clenching his fist.
"One."
"How many lives does Epstein have?"
"One."
"If I turned dark, how many people could I kill?"
"..."
"Just kidding. That guy wanted to mess with me but got scared off by my words. Now he's using this way to deal with me. If I don't respond, he'll keep pushing. So I'll fight and show everyone what it means to be the world's strongest man."
Bang!
Richard punched the tire hard, then continued with a series of knee, elbow, and shoulder strikes, making the huge tire sway and thud.
Norman took a few steps back, distancing himself from Richard. Before coming here, he wanted to ask if Richard was confident about defeating the beast-like Mark Henry, but seeing Richard's performance, he felt no need to ask.
Mark Henry's body was strong and his strength immense, but he seemed to lack something compared to Richard—an imposing presence, the aura of a warrior. Mark Henry lacked the fierce aura that Richard exuded.
"Richard, this time I'm betting on you to win!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
---
Three days later, in the evening, the party at the New York Hilton Hotel began.
From 3 p.m., luxury cars started pouring into the hotel's parking lot, each more extravagant than the last, representing a showcase of the world's luxury car brands.
A golden Cadillac stopped in front of the hotel, and Richard and his group got out. With him were Andy, Norman, Paul, and Mayweather, who had come for the excitement.
"Richard, are you confident in beating Mark Henry? That guy's punches are heavy. If you're not careful, you could end up spitting blood or worse. I don't think joining this match is a good decision," Mayweather said as they walked.
Mayweather said as they walked, "I know, but I also have my reasons for fighting. Rest assured, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't confident in winning. I wouldn't risk my career."
Richard smiled lightly.
"Mayweather, you don't need to worry about this guy. He started out in various underground fights—MMA, wrestling, underground boxing, cage fighting—he's done it all. His fighting skills are even better than his boxing.
And Mark isn't that impressive either. He's mostly been training in weightlifting. Besides brute strength, what else does he have? Even if I stood still and let him hit me, he might not be able to. That Mark Wickness doesn't know this field; picking someone like him is just like giving Richard money."
Paul said disdainfully.
"Don't underestimate him. Mark Henry is good at grappling and brutal charges. If he grabs you, it's dangerous. So, Richard, be agile in the cage," Andy said as they walked.
"Got it, I won't let him lift me like a dummy."
As they entered the elevator, Richard smiled.
"Hey Richard, let me take your place. I don't ask for much, just give me 100,000 if I win," Paul grinned.
"This match was arranged by your boss, Andy. Why don't you ask him?" Richard smiled.
Paul looked at Andy with a pitiful face, "Boss, you're disappointing me."
Andy sighed, "It's your own fault. You got eliminated after just one match in the semifinals. If you had won, someone would definitely have invited you."
Paul grunted and looked down, feeling downcast.
"But don't be too upset. You didn't have time for the last match. The company will arrange some private exhibition matches, like at parties and on cruises, so you can earn some extra money."
"Boss, you're the best," Paul said, shaking Andy's shoulder.
"Let go," Andy said, frowning.
"Alright," Paul chuckled.
Richard shook his head, thinking Andy's authority as a boss was diminishing.
"Hey Richard, perform well tonight. There are many socialites and princesses here. You're handsome and strong. If one of them fancies you, you'll never have to work hard again," Norman said, putting away his phone and laughing.
"No thanks, I'm not interested in socialites."
"Great, I'm very interested in socialites," Paul said, quickly adjusting his curls and straightening his clothes.
"Paul, I'll leave the task of mingling with the socialites to you."
"No problem!"
Ding!
The elevator door opened, and they walked out, invitation in hand, and entered the party hall.
The venue was as large as half a football field, luxuriously decorated with gold and jade. Five huge crystal chandeliers hung in the middle, making the hall look like an art palace.
There were over a hundred people present, mostly young men and women, all dressed in luxurious attire, exuding extraordinary temperaments. They mingled, chatting with each other.
"Look, Richard, that blonde beauty is Samantha Kruger, daughter of TV mogul John Kruger, 23 years old. That one is Amanda Hearst, great-granddaughter of William Hearst, 25, studying at Boston University. The wavy-haired beauty is the granddaughter of retail magnate George Hartford."
Norman introduced them as they walked, stopping at a display stand and pointing to two girls holding glasses of red wine. "And the highlight, the tall, busty beauty is Ivanka Tomp, 17 years old. Isn't she gorgeous? Across from her is Paris Hilton, one of the heirs to this hotel."
"Wow, so white and beautiful! Hey, why are there only white girls? No black girls at all. Are there no black tycoons in New York?" Paul asked, looking around.
"Seems like it," Mayweather said.
Norman shrugged, "I've heard that Mark is a racist, a white supremacist."
"Damn!"
Paul was furious.
"Shh, let's go to the side hall. That's where the match is."
---
In the side hall, a theater-like space used for stage performances and award ceremonies, an octagonal iron cage stood in the middle, surrounded by hundreds of seats for spectators to watch the match and drink, giving it an elegant atmosphere.
Richard entered the octagonal cage and inspected it. It met the standards, though it seemed a bit too delicate.
"Haha, Norman, glad to see you here," Mark Wickness laughed as he walked in.
He was followed by several people, including his assistant Jamie and a massive black man, standing at 192 cm tall and weighing 178 kg, more than twice Richard's weight. This was Mark Henry.
"Haha, Mark, you've done well, inviting so many people," Norman said as he approached.
"Thanks for coming. We'll talk later," Mark Wickness laughed.
"Sure, let me introduce you. This is Richard, my friend. You should know him, right?" Norman smiled, pointing at Richard.
Mark Wickness glanced at him and laughed, "Of course, I know Richard. Welcome to my party. I've heard you're impressive, so I picked a tough opponent for you. This is Giant Mark. Do you have the confidence to beat him?"
Richard smirked, "Yes."
"Haha, Mark, Richard says he can beat you. What do you say?" Mark Wickness asked, patting the large black man on the back.
"Hmph! I can beat him with one hand," Mark Henry said, flexing his large chest muscles.
"Haha, Mark, don't underestimate him. Richard is a future boxing champion. You should be careful," Wickness laughed.
"Haha, what's a boxing champion to me? His strength is like a woman's compared to mine. Look at his arms. Hey, kid, be careful not to cry like a woman if I mess up your pretty face," Mark Henry laughed.
"Humph, with your pig-headed looks, you think you can beat Richard? You're just an annoying black bastard," Paul sneered.
"Damn! Who are you calling a black bastard?" Mark Henry growled, glaring at Paul.
"Who else? You want to fight?" Paul said, glaring back and flexing his muscular arms.
"Bring it on!" Mark Henry stepped forward, and Paul stepped up as well.
Bang!
Their bodies collided, muscles bulging, glaring at each other like two enraged black bears.
"Enough!" Andy stepped in to stop them.
"Hmph!" Paul glared at Mark Henry and stepped back.
"Hmph!" Mark Henry pounded his chest and stepped behind Mark Wickness.
"Haha, interesting. Mr. Andy, how about letting this guy challenge Mark after the first match?" Mark Wickness laughed.
"Let's see after the first match," Andy said, smiling.
"Okay, it's settled!"
Wickness and his group walked away.
"Hmph, Richard, make sure you hit hard. If you don't win, I'll step in," Paul said angrily.
"No need, I can handle it," Richard said, patting his shoulder.
---
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