Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: What Is the Dog Barking About?

The moment Isabella's PR team noticed the latest social media chaos, the entire team erupted into controlled frenzy. Phones buzzed constantly, notifications piling up like an avalanche. Every member knew instinctively that this was not just another feud—it was a public relations crisis of unprecedented proportions, and the eyes of the world were already watching."Yogan," Isabella said, her tone unusually grave, "we need to remain calm. Cool-headed. This is exactly what he wants—Conor is deliberately provoking you. He's trying to distract you from your preparations for Aldo."Her gaze was sharp, precise. Every word carefully measured, like a tactical strike. "We can't let ourselves fall into the trap. Not even slightly."Yogan, sitting in his villa study, scrolled through his phone. On the screen, he saw the ridiculous figure of Conor McGregor imitating Bruce Lee with exaggerated, cartoonish movements, mocking him, mocking his culture, mocking all the martial arts traditions Yogan held dear.His eyes narrowed, the warmth fading from his expression. The calm, relaxed demeanor of Yogan's usual public face hardened into something colder, more piercing. It was as if a Siberian wind had passed through, leaving frost in its wake.He nodded slowly, his voice quiet but carrying a weight that demanded attention."No," he said, almost to himself. Then louder, firmer, carrying the conviction of an unshakable warrior:"He's not insulting me. He's insulting my country and every Senior who has fought for it. How can I remain silent?"---The Interview That Shook the InternetAn hour later, Yogan agreed to an urgent video interview with ESPN. The request came from Ariel Helwani, a presenter known for asking the toughest questions with precise timing. The moment the connection was live, Helwani wasted no time."Yogan, have you seen Conor's latest statements and his video?" he asked. His tone carried concern, tinged with curiosity. "He has expanded his attack to your country and the traditions of Chinese Kung Fu. What is your response?"Yogan's gaze fixed on the camera, a flash of fire behind his eyes. His previous calm was gone, replaced by razor-sharp focus. Every word he spoke carried weight, precision, and a subtle threat."I saw it," he began, low and deliberate, "and I know it was just a performance to attract attention. A desperate display to make himself feel relevant."He paused, letting the tension build, before continuing. "I am preparing for a championship unification fight. My opponent is the legend Jose Aldo, a man who has dominated this division for over ten years. I train every day with champions like DC Cormier and Cain Velasquez. My world is full of true warriors."The pause, a heartbeat of suspense, made his next words slice through the silence like a blade."As for that Irishman," Yogan said, his voice now sharper, colder, "I do not have the energy to pay attention to the barking of a defeated opponent."The use of the word "barking" stunned the presenter. Ariel Helwani's jaw nearly dropped at the audacity and precision of the metaphor. It was contemptuous without being vulgar, fearless without being aggressive—a statement designed to dominate public perception.Yogan continued, letting his words resonate with calculated force:"Perhaps after I finish this fight and unify the Featherweight division, if he still dares to compete in this division, I might consider giving him another chance to challenge me. After all, everyone needs a punching bag to make headlines, right? The interview is over."The internet erupted instantly. Social media ignited like gunpowder set ablaze. Fans, commentators, celebrities, and casual spectators all reacted within seconds."Oh my gosh! Yogan exploded! So cool! Barking! A punching bag! That's exactly what a champion should do!" one comment read."Finally! Conor deserves this! Serves him right!" another posted.Conor, predictably, responded with fire. He retweeted Yogan's interview clip in all caps, adding his own venom:> ARE YOU BARKING? YOU'LL HEAR MY MOANS WHEN I BREAK YOUR BONES!A PUNCHING BAG? I GUARANTEE IT WILL BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN UFC HISTORY!Don't hide behind that old Brazilian man! Don't tremble for fear of losing again! Coward!The stage was set. Two armies of fans engaged in a ferocious war of words, spanning continents and languages. Western celebrities and commentators sided with Conor, praising his outspoken bravado."I love Conor's rock and roll spirit," Mick Jagger said in an interview. "Sports needs bastards like him to kill the boredom."Meanwhile, Yogan's supporters were equally formidable. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson posted:> Respect is earned with fists, not words.I support Yogan. He's a true champion. Silence them with victory.Michael Jordan, when asked about Yogan at a charity event, commented unconventionally:> I've heard of that Chinese fighter. I admire his mentality. Truly powerful individuals make the foul talk of their opponents the soundtrack to their own victories.In China, celebrities, athletes, and media figures unified to support Yogan, amplifying his message of calm dominance.---Dogs Barking, Rivals FightingDespite the support and global attention, Yogan's team remained disciplined. They released an official statement, crafted from Yogan's own words, clarifying his position without lowering himself to petty retaliation.During an AKA open training day, Yogan was in the middle of pad work when a reporter brought up Conor's viral video again. Yogan did not pause his strikes but looked calmly into the camera during a brief interval."Some dogs," he said slowly, with quiet authority, "the more you react, the louder they bark. The best way is to let them bark until they tire themselves, until everyone gets annoyed."He shifted his stance, kicked the ground with a resounding thud, and added, "In my world, I only have rivals now."Then, without another word, he resumed his training. Pad after pad, punch after punch, the sound of disciplined combat filled the gym. Conor and his antics were left irrelevant, mere noise outside the sacred rhythm of preparation.The effect was immediate and devastatingly effective. Public perception began to turn; Yogan's composure, his discipline, and his subtle contempt portrayed Conor as a foolish, attention-seeking provocateur. Social media users began calling Conor a "barking hyena," while praise for Yogan surged.---The UFC's PerspectiveUFC President Dana White watched all of this unfold with a broad grin. During a televised interview, he remarked:"Conor wants revenge, but Yogan feels he doesn't deserve it. The only way to resolve this? The Octagon. That's the real battlefield. Yogan's target is Aldo, and that's a real title fight. Conor? He's just noise until then. Let's see what happens after this fight."Meanwhile, the UFC released the official fight poster for UFC 194, set at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, a stadium that could hold tens of thousands of screaming fans.Main Event: Featherweight Championship Unification MatchJose Aldo, the King, vs Lightning Yogan!The poster captured the intensity perfectly. Aldo's gaze was cold, unyielding, the ultimate representation of a seasoned champion. Yogan's eyes, in contrast, burned like torches, full of controlled energy and the calm of someone who had already prepared for every eventuality.Yet despite Aldo's legendary status, the spotlight and conversations had shifted to Yogan and the Irish provocateur. The internet buzzed with discussions of the "bark theory" and "punching bag theory," cementing Yogan's status as a strategic and mental master as well as a physical one.Conor McGregor, predictably, could not leave well enough alone. He launched a series of increasingly wild and desperate counterattacks on social media, each one amplifying the public attention but accomplishing nothing to distract Yogan from his path.---Life in the Eye of the StormDespite the digital chaos, Yogan's day-to-day life remained remarkably structured. During the day, he trained relentlessly—grappling, striking, conditioning, and strategy sessions. The gym was a sanctuary, a temple of preparation, where each repetition honed not only skill but focus.At night, however, the world of Conor's provocations raged on. Social media, news outlets, and entertainment programs created a 24/7 war room, a digital battlefield in which Yogan's team skillfully navigated, neutralized, and analyzed every attack. Yet Yogan himself remained untouched, a calm general overseeing the chaos without ever being dragged into it.He had learned long ago that true power lay not in reacting to noise, but in letting it fade into irrelevance while remaining steadfast on his true path. Conor's antics were like distant barking; loud, annoying, but ultimately harmless.Yogan's focus was Aldo, the unification, and the perfection of his craft. Every strike, every sparring session, every strategy meeting built toward a singular goal: to dominate in the Octagon, to unify the Featherweight division, and to prove that discipline, intelligence, and courage far outweigh the shallow theatrics of ego-driven clowns.In the background, the world argued, mocked, cheered, and jeered. But in the center of the storm, Yogan's eyes remained calm, steady, and unbroken—a warrior in the truest sense, preparing for the battle that truly mattered.And as the countdown to UFC 194 continued, one fact was already clear: Yogan had turned Conor's attempts at provocation into a masterclass of psychological dominance, leaving the Irish fighter with nothing but bark and no bite.The stage was set. The warriors were ready. The dog barked—but the lion had already chosen his battlefield.---