Chương 90: 90 Maha's Unique Move: Breaking the Triangle Choke in Anger
At this moment, countless people around the world felt a strange numbness wash over them. While many were rooting for Ye Chen, ample evidence suggested that there were numerous fighters capable of besting the Invincible Eagles, arguably even a majority. Perfection often invites destruction. Yet, when faced with the actual stakes of the match, they reverted to supporting Makhachev.
Why, one might ask, would anyone back Ye Chen? Was it mere talk? In this realm, was there truly anyone who could defeat the Eagles? However, as spectators observed Ye Chen's first-round performance, shock rippled through the crowd. The notion that Ye Chen could bring Makhachev down was already impressive; no one anticipated such an unexpected turn of events.
As the fight unfolded, confusion and disbelief gripped many. At that moment, hope for a Ye Chen victory began to dwindle among observers.
In the arena, Ye Chen noticed that Makhachev's head had not fully impacted the ground during his fall. With protective measures in play, Makhachev was still attempting a butterfly guard. Although Ye Chen felt momentarily perplexed, he surged forward, evoking a similar urgency in the referee nearby.
Attempting to bypass Makhachev's double-leg butterfly hook, Ye Chen soon realized that his opponent had not entirely lost his composure. Makhachev adeptly transitioned to a defensive position on the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Ye Chen advanced towards the butterfly guard, aware that despite Makhachev being momentarily weakened, his potential to defend remained.
In a flash, Ye Chen opened the butterfly guard and unleashed a powerful elbow strike. The "Bang!" echoed in the arena, catching the referee's attention. Was Ye Chen aiming to seriously injure his opponent? Not at all. If Makhachev had failed to defend himself, Ye Chen would likely have refrained from hitting with such intensity. Even this final barrage was symbolic rather than lethal—just a few punches to assert dominance, waiting for the referee's intervention.
Yet Makhachev, refusing to cave, executed a quick elbow strike in return but couldn't free himself from Ye Chen's grasp. Taking advantage, Ye Chen locked onto one of Makhachev's legs, maneuvering to find a riding position. Should he achieve this, even a tight hug from Makhachev wouldn't deter potential strikes. It would even lead to a possible submission attempt.
"Khabib, try to lock one of his legs defensively," he urged, witnessing Makhachev's return to awareness. Khabib's command echoed through the arena, spurring Makhachev into action as he deployed a butterfly hook to capture one of Ye Chen's legs. The quick knot bound tightly.
With no time to squander, Makhachev dove into a defensive stance, while the bell hung in the air, signifying the end of the round. Ye Chen unleashed a flurry of punches, aware that his current position lacked the leverage typically found in striking from a dominant position.
As the bell rang, the referee intervened, separating the fighters. Ye Chen, with a sigh, acknowledged the ever-elusive passage of time. He had opened a significant gash on Makhachev's forehead, and had he had a few more seconds, perhaps the outcome could have been different.
Returning to his corner, Ye Chen was met by a wave of concerned faces from the Kitty Eagle team, as they hurried to support Makhachev. "How are you feeling?" Khabib inquired impatiently.
Makhachev shook his head, "Those punches were brutal. I'm still recovering." Khabib merely nodded, having anticipated such a response given Ye Chen's ability to find openings.
He quickly placed a bag of ice on Makhachev's injury, his mind racing as a team doctor hurried to staunch the bleeding. In stark contrast, Catwoman, alongside Ye Chen, held back a slew of expletives, contemplating Makhachev's apparent luck. "His luck was extraordinary today. He managed to stop the bleeding and conclude another round," she remarked, frustration evident.
Ye Chen took a sip of water offered by Catwoman, shaking his head in disagreement. "It's not only luck; he's resilient and possesses unwavering willpower. Any of my previous opponents would have likely succumbed to the level he displayed."
"However, his energy reserves have significantly dwindled. If this continues, the next round could finish him off," he mused, fueled by a growing confidence.
Amidst the crowd, excitement brewed as a girl holding a sign transitioned offstage; Round Three was approaching. Suddenly, Xiaoying made her way toward the referee, discussing matters fervently.
"Khabib, Khabib, Khabib..." the crowd chanted. With Kitty Hawk as the main draw in Zabi Abe's fighting arena, all eyes were on her.
Seeing this, Ye Chen's expression shifted slightly. The referee approached Makhachev and checked in with Khabib, discussing matters with the physician on-site. Catwoman noticed the interaction and hesitated, her curiosity piqued.
"What's going on?" she asked. Ye Chen shrugged, less than knowledgeable about the developments.
"Will it take long to stop the bleeding?" the referee queried. The doctor replied, "Yes, though the wound is substantial, it can be managed."
Once the doctor assured them, the referee relayed this information to Dana. The latter cursed softly but soon conceded that halting this fight was not an option. With a plethora of pay-per-views at stake, premature termination would result in backlash.
Thus, the referee urged the medical team to expedite their efforts, "The global audience is waiting."
Ye Chen remained observant, piecing together the situation as the medical staff worked diligently. Catwoman's quick intelligence led her to speculate, "Are they treating an injury? Will the match resume afterward?"
Ye Chen nodded. It was clear that the situation was precarious. Bleeding still persisted, which warranted attention. Yet, as rules dictate, fighters typically continued post-round even amid injury concerns.
The tensions in the arena heightened, with anticipation of the main event hanging thick in the air. As time dragged on, Makhachev managed to halt the bleeding just under the three-minute mark. Khabib's team then quickly exited the ring, signaling their readiness.
"Let's begin," Makhachev declared resolutely as he re-entered the fray, reminded by Khabib's shouted instructions, "Remember, don't engage him directly this round."
Previously, their tactics had starkly contrasted; Ye Chen's ground game stood as a formidable threat. Keeping their distance would ensure a standing advantage, especially since early rounds revealed a balance of power between them.
Little did they anticipate Ye Chen's swift adaptation in Round Two, where his jabbering and mobility caught Makhachev off-guard. This approach had shifted the dynamics significantly.
Now, with their stakes elevated, Ye Chen proceeded cautiously. His quick low feints led Makhachev to retreat, leading to an imminent jab. Suddenly, Makhachev feigned an advance and altered his angle abruptly.
With innate urgency, Ye Chen retreated, adjusting his posture to brace for any potential takedown. The shadow of doubt crept back in, replaying the moment he had been deceived before.
As he prepared for Makhachev's next move, the fighter lunged forward. With both instincts engaged, Ye Chen protected himself, setting up a low sweep and maintaining his ground.
Makhachev anticipated his movements with stunning speed, catching Ye Chen off guard. Despite Ye Chen's quick defense, Makhachev completed a takedown with stunning efficiency, wedging himself firmly against Ye Chen's legs.
Once again, Ye Chen felt his footing falter as Makhachev wrestled for power. In a desperate measure, Ye Chen grappled Makhachev's waist, aware that the position was slowly slipping away. As soon as he recognized this risk, he tried to regain control.
Fighting desperately for a favorable position, he realized that it was essential to isolate one of Makhachev's legs. This would provide critical leverage against his opponent as the pressure mounted. However, losing a split second meant disaster; Makhachev surged forward.
In an energetic display, Makhachev tossed Ye Chen aside in a fierce maneuver, marking a risky yet imperative attack to seize control of the match.
The crowd erupted, electrified by the fierce skill on display. "This is why the Eagles hold their reputation," someone nearby murmured. Ye Chen, however, knew that the blossoming intensity was only the beginning.
The prediction of the next moments hung suspensefully in the air: would Ye Chen withstand Makhachev's ground dominance, or would he succumb to unstoppable pressure? The fight continued, and everyone anticipated the next breathtaking turn.
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