Chapter 40 - Episode 39 – The World is Boiling

David Chen's phone call hit the global combat-sports world like a nuclear bomb.Barely half an hour after Yogan's team agreed to step in, the UFC's publicity machine—moving with unprecedented speed and force—blasted out the news that could change the entire landscape of the industry.---The Announcement15:00 CET.UFC President Dana White appeared live at ESPN's SportsCenter studio for an emergency interview.Wearing a black "UFC 18" T-shirt, he showed not a hint of disappointment over his main fighter's withdrawal. Instead, his face gleamed with a kind of manic excitement, like a scientist about to unveil his proudest invention."Yes," he said gravely to the camera, "I confirm that the great champion José Aldo will not be able to participate in UFC 189—scheduled for two weeks from now—due to a rib injury sustained during training."A collective gasp swept through the studio. Fans watching at home felt their hearts leap into their throats."However…" Dana suddenly leaned forward, palms on the desk, and raised his voice. A fanatic smile spread across his face like a businessman sensing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."The main event of UFC 189 will not be canceled! Because we are ready for something wilder, more unpredictable, and bloodier than anyone imagined—a real, life-or-death, fateful fight!"He paused, glancing at the soaring online-viewership counter, then continued:"The UFC has decided to create an Interim Featherweight Championship Title to ensure this fight retains its ultimate honor."And two men will vie for that golden belt: the 'Notorious' Conor McGregor, and his destined nemesis—the only man who's dared to ignore, provoke, and unsettle him in recent months—'Flash' Yogan!"---Shockwaves OnlineThe instant Dana spoke Yogan's name, global social media and fight forums froze in stunned silence—then erupted like a volcano.Within three minutes ESPN's front page carried a headline so huge it seemed to jump off the screen:"The King Falls, the Battle of Destiny Ahead! Conor vs. Yogan for the Interim Throne!"Renowned reporter Ariel Helwani canceled his regular programming on The MMA Hour and went live for an emergency broadcast. The phone lines jammed under the surge of calls.---Fighters ReactKhabib Nurmagomedov—Yogan's teammate and the fearsome future star of the lightweight division—phoned in with his trademark Dagestani composure:> "I knew from the start Conor wouldn't beat Yogan. Fate has given him the chance to finish early; he should thank Aldo's ribs. I'm 100 percent sure Yogan will win. Everyone at AKA knows how long he's been preparing for Conor."Welterweight brawler Nate Diaz tweeted in his usual blunt style:> "Haha, that Irish clown finally met his match. Stop fighting old men. Hope the Chinese kid rips his mouth off—or I will!"Hollywood action superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson weighed in:> "Wow! The drama of this fight rivals a high-end action movie. A silent God of War, a fervent King—I can't wait. This is what fighting's all about!"Even boxing legend Mike Tyson, on a podcast, grinned and said:> "I love the Chinese kid. He reminds me of my youth—not his mouth, but his will to destroy everything. But Conor's Irish. His mental energy is strong; he gets in people's heads. This is gonna be one hell of a psychological war."---Aldo SpeaksFrom his hospital bed in Brazil, José Aldo issued a statement through his manager:> "I'm sorry to pull out due to injury, but I'll be back to defend my throne. As for Yogan vs. Conor, I prefer Yogan; he's a true martial artist. Conor is just a player. Yogan, go get that interim belt, and I'll come back for the real title unification fight."Yogan's team instantly amplified the message. Isabella posted:> "A true king's vision is equally sharp. We wish you a speedy recovery, Aldo. We'll wait for you in front of the throne."---Conor's VillaConor McGregor was giving a Rolling Stone interview at his Los Angeles villa when the news broke. Sunlight glinted off the pool. He held a glass of whiskey as his manager Audie Attar rushed in, pale-faced, blurting the update.Conor froze for three seconds. His smile vanished, his eyes sharpened—then he burst into hysterical laughter that echoed around the villa. He laughed so hard he spilled whiskey onto the patio."Hahahaha! Aldo, that coward! He finally found an excuse to run! He's so scared he's wetting himself! His ribs aren't broken, his intestines are broken!"Turning to the wide-eyed Rolling Stone reporter, Conor grinned like a shark scenting blood."Now it's that Chinese kid? Perfect! So perfect! The Goddess of Luck is on my side—she can't wait to see me crowned with my own hands!"I was going to take an old man's belt first, then deal with the coward who only makes short films. Now I can do it in one step! Tear down your 'Mountain' and extinguish your 'Fire' right before the whole world!"He seized Audie Attar's phone, opened Twitter, and posted a message that shook the internet:> "That Brazilian coward ran away. Now it's a Chinese coward. No problem—just changing a punching bag. In 15 days I'll show the world how defenseless the so-called Eastern wisdom is before my powerful left hand. Get ready for your king, kid! #UFC189 #TemporaryThrone? No—MY throne!"Within minutes the tweet's comment section flooded with Irish flags and fist emojis.---China Wakes UpIt was early morning in Beijing when the news arrived.Millions of UFC fans were jolted awake by app notifications. Drowsy taps on screens turned to wide-eyed disbelief.The entire Chinese internet felt like it had been hit by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake.> "Oh my God! Is this real? Aldo injured? Yogan fighting Conor? This is not a drill!""What divine-power plot is this? Yesterday I was wondering when Sheng-ge would fight that trash talker. Happiness came overnight! Forget next month's mortgage—I'm watching live!"CCTV Sports interrupted its morning programming with an urgent bulletin. The announcer's voice trembled with excitement:> "Dear viewers, we have official confirmation from the UFC: our fighter Yogan will step up at a critical moment at UFC 189 to challenge Irish superstar Conor McGregor for the UFC Featherweight Interim Championship! This is the closest a Chinese fighter has ever come to a UFC title—and the most promising moment yet!"Within an hour seven of Weibo's top ten trending topics related to the fight:1. #YoganVSConor [Explosive]2. #AldoWithdraws [Explosive]3. #UFCInterimChampionshipFight [Hot]4. Conor Provokes Yogan [Hot]5. Sorry for Aldo [New]6. AKA Divine Prophecy [New]7. #ChinaPower [Explosive]Crowdfunding for "Expedition to Vegas" surged tenfold overnight. Fans rallied:> "Brothers and sisters! What are you waiting for? Get tickets! Go to the venue! Support Sheng-ge! Let Las Vegas be our home! Let foreigners hear our roar!"---A Global CarnivalFar from dampening UFC 189's popularity, the twist sent interest skyrocketing. Months of verbal warfare between Yogan and Conor had already primed the public; now the showdown was official.One fighter—the "Mountain"—symbolized Eastern patience and discipline.The other—the "Fire"—personified Western arrogance and chaos.One spoke little but acted decisively.The other reigned as a topic king with storm-stirring trash talk.One had prepared two full months specifically for Conor.The other had prepared for Aldo.Media and fans exploited every ounce of tension, turning it into a global festival.Bookmakers scrambled to adjust the odds. Because Yogan was stepping in as a "crisis" replacement and Conor was already a superstar, Conor remained the slight favorite. Ironically that small edge only fueled betting. Everyone felt they'd glimpsed the "truth" and wanted a slice of the century's biggest wager.Forums buzzed with analysis:> "Can Conor's left hand crack Yogan's anticipation? His dodges are like premonitions!""Could Yogan's low kicks restrict Conor's movement? Conor's stance is wide—that's the weak point—but Conor's team must be frantically studying it!""Information asymmetry! Yogan prepared for Conor; Conor didn't prepare for Yogan. Only 15 days to adjust tactics!""Remember, this is a five-round fight! Conor's stamina is shaky but his mental warfare breaks opponents before the bell. Can Yogan withstand the mental pollution? Can he drag Conor into deep waters?"Fifteen days remained until UFC 189—but the war had already begun worldwide.Tickets at the MGM Grand sold out in three hours; black-market prices soared.Everyone sensed a historic storm brewing. At its eye stood two men destined to clash on the battlefield of fate.---Inside AKABack at San Jose's AKA Training Gym, the outside noise felt sealed behind an invisible wall.After the first rush of excitement, the team settled into an icy calm.No trace of peace lingered on Yogan's face—only a laser-like focus no one had seen before.He understood the truth: his successful plan had earned only a ticket to the final.The real test began now.Conor had transformed from a "shadow" into a living, breathing enemy studying him relentlessly.Preparation could no longer be purely physical.---Strategy Meeting"Isabella, David."Yogan gathered his public-relations staff. "From now on, I will not accept any interviews unrelated to the fight. All media go through you."He turned to Isabella. "Our strategy stays the same but needs sharpening. The crazier Conor gets, the calmer we must be. The worse he swears, the higher our response videos must rise—reflecting the spirit of the martial artist."Remember, this isn't Mr. Nice Guy. It's martial-artist spirit. We want all his attacks to feel like punching cotton—then suddenly hitting a steel needle hidden in the cotton.""Understood," Isabella said, eyes gleaming. "We'll keep playing the high-ground tactic in public, making him look like a clown rolling in the mud.""Dr. Phil."Yogan faced his scientific mentor, expression deadly serious. What he was about to demand was the most painful part of any pre-fight preparation."A weight-cut plan must start now. I've kept my weight under control, but I need a completely new nutrition and recovery system addressing three goals at once:"First, maximize my muscle mass and explosive power."Second, ensure I can cut to 150 pounds safely and precisely."Third—and most important—despite dehydration and energy deficit, keep my brain and nerves at their sharpest, most excited, and most composed on fight night."Every weight cut was hellish torment for Yogan. His body no longer resembled a normal featherweight's. The cut brought clear advantages inside the cage but at huge cost beforehand—and real risk.Yet he never wavered.---CountdownFifteen days to go.A world at fever pitch.And at the center, in a chilled gym in San Jose, a young fighter named Yogan forging himself for the storm to come.---