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Chapter 278 - 254: Implication, Professional Team

Chapter 278: Chapter 254: Implication, Professional Team

The ability to influence an entire industry single-handedly is the hallmark of a legend in their respective field. Figures like Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron in the NBA are such legends, simply put, the influence of a superstar can elevate the entire industry’s level of attention.

Currently, Wu Li’s popularity and reputation in Hua Country have already begun to affect its Martial Arts industry, and this is precisely why Dana White values him so highly.

Tencent spends five hundred million US dollars every year to secure the exclusive broadcasting rights to the NBA in Hua Country, whereas the UFC can only sell its broadcasting rights there for ten million US dollars a year. Compared to the NBA, that’s a fiftyfold difference!

For Dana White, who has always been committed to making the UFC the world’s top sports event, this disparity is somewhat hard to accept. He can see the vast potential of the Martial Arts market in Hua Country, but the profits are just not rising. It’s like having a huge cake in front of you and only being able to eat it with a tiny spoon, little by little.

It’s frustrating and unsatisfying.

Previously, due to Hua Country female fighter Zhang Weili winning the UFC championship and then successfully defending it, the attention of Hua Country viewers towards the UFC significantly increased. However, it still wasn’t enough. Dana White hoped that a male fighter from Hua Country could also take up the mantle, as in competitive Martial Arts, male fighters naturally tend to garner more favor and adoration from the audience.

Wu Li’s emergence gave Dana White hope. In every aspect, Wu Li perfectly met his criteria. With proper management, increasing the UFC’s revenue in Hua Country several times over would be entirely feasible!

"Li, your strength, appearance, and the topics surrounding you all suit the UFC very well. I hope you can go further here, and I believe you can do it!"

"In fact, you should know that within the entire Martial Arts Circle of Hua Country, there aren’t many who can really stand out, even more so in the UFC. No male fighters have yet made it into the top fifteen. As long as you achieve results, you will undoubtedly be the number one figure in the Martial Arts World of Hua Country!"

"With your weight, you are just right for the Lightweight class, and you would also be competitive in the Middleweight class. Even if you cut weight, you would definitely possess an absolute advantage in the Featherweight class! That would make you the king across three weight classes!"

"Li, think about such a future. I have high hopes for you!"

Dana White opened his arms, speaking faster and with passionate expression.

It has to be said, some people are born to be orators. Even with the barrier of translation, preventing Wu Li from understanding Dana’s words directly, just by observing Dana’s movements, demeanor, and tone, he could feel the infectious enthusiasm emanating from him.

"Thank you for your confidence in me, Mr. Dana," said Wu Li.

Dana White studied Wu Li’s eyes and didn’t see much excitement in them, which dampened his spirits somewhat.

With his status and regard for a fighter, even established fighters like Charles or Floreson would probably feel excited and grateful, yet Wu Li seemed somewhat indifferent. This struck Dana as odd.

At the end of the day, the Martial Arts Circle isn’t all that different from the entertainment industry. Ultimately it’s about fame and fortune, and Dana White couldn’t understand how a twenty-one-year-old could remain so calm. Was he hiding it well?

"So, what do you think about all of this, Li?" Dana asked directly.

Wu Li smiled, "To achieve that would be great. Let’s take it one step at a time."

"Good, that means you have your own thoughts," Dana said earnestly. "So this first match is very important for you. Although I am inclined to match you with Dan Hu, it still depends on your personal preference. Li, how much do you know about Dan Hu?"

Wu Li thought for a moment and replied, "I received the news yesterday, briefly got to know about him, and watched some match videos. I haven’t analyzed them in depth yet."

Dana White frowned slightly, "Do you have a professional team?"

Wu Li shook his head, "No."

In the UFC, choosing an opponent is a critical task. Fighters with the right to challenge and those with a reputation won’t just fight whomever the event organizers line up. Capitalizing on strengths and avoiding weaknesses is the realistic approach to the path of a champion.

Taking specialties into account, there are four main directions—striking, grappling, wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu. Very few fighters excel in all techniques. Most are proficient in one, with no obvious weaknesses in others. This makes choosing an opponent a matter of great caution, as if your opponent’s specialty happens to counter yours, the chances of winning diminish significantly.

Dana White inquired whether Wu Li had a professional team because analyzing opponents, selecting them, and then training specifically for them all need the assistance of a professional team.

"Li, if you want to go the distance in the UFC, you must have a professional team of your own," Dana said sincerely.

"Okay, I will seriously consider it," Wu Li nodded.

Dana offered, "I can recommend a good agent to you. He has a very professional team behind him."

"Thank you," Wu Li did not refuse.

"Li, are you sure you want to fight Dan Hu?" Dana asked.

Wu Li nodded, "Certainly, I am sure."

Dana laughed, "It seems you are quite confident. Since that’s the case, I’ll have someone get in touch with Dan Hu’s team right away to finalize the match."

The two talked for a while longer before parting ways.

Dana White and Tom drove back to the company, with Tom driving and Dana sitting in the passenger seat.

"Tom, what do you think about this young man?"

In the car, Dana White asked.

Tom looked ahead, driving and speaking simultaneously, "He’s very composed, not showing much emotion."

Dana White asked, "Is he not interested in what I told him?"

Tom chuckled, "How could that be? If he wasn’t interested, why would he come to the UFC?"

Dana White also laughed, "So, the kid’s pretty good at playing it cool."

He had specially invited Wu today, not only to show his admiration for Wu but also to hint at something else all along.

"This young man has a savviness and maturity beyond his years. He should understand my meaning. What we need to do next is get Dan Hu to agree to the match. This afternoon, you go and talk to Dan Hu’s side," instructed Dana White.

Communicating with both fighters to agree on a match was not something he needed to personally get involved with; his personal visit to Wu today had an ulterior motive. As for persuading Dan Hu, there was no need for him to step in.

...

Wu returned to the hotel, called Chen Gang into the room, and roughly explained his meeting with Dana White today.

Although participating in the UFC was a personal matter for Wu, he had already become inextricably linked with the "Seeking Martial Arts" show. Therefore, Wu called Chen Gang to help analyze things. After all, Chen Gang surely had more experience with such matters.

"He said he’s going to send someone to finalize the match with Dan Hu?" asked Chen Gang.

Wu nodded, "That’s right."

Chen Gang frowned, "Logically, if he values you so much, your first match shouldn’t be against someone ranked so highly. You have hardly any match experience, what if you lose? Wouldn’t it be better to have you fight a few weaker opponents first, to gain some experience and grow your popularity?"

Wu said, "I also found it strange; he kept emphasizing how important the first match is and asked if I was confident about beating Dan Hu. It seemed like even he didn’t believe I could win for sure, yet he recommended this opponent."

Chen Gang replied, "He values you so much, of course, he wouldn’t want you to lose your first match, but to set you up with someone ranked so high – that’s contradictory unless he has a way to ensure your victory."

Wu laughed, "How can I be sure to win? Do you mean Dan Hu would deliberately lose to me?"

"Did he recommend an agent to you?" Chen Gang suddenly asked.

Wu nodded and took out a business card from his bag, placing it on the table: "This is the person."

Chen Gang picked up the business card, looked at it, placed it back on the table, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "If I’m not mistaken, he probably wants you to sign with this agent."

Wu responded, "Oh?"

Chen Gang continued, "If he could straight up arrange for Dan Hu to intentionally lose to you, he wouldn’t need to meet you in person, tell you so much; thus, I think the key lies with this business card he left you. Perhaps this agent, and his backing team, have some way to help you improve your chances of winning."

"Is all this trouble really necessary? Like you said, couldn’t he just set me up with a weaker opponent for my first match? Why would he go through all these twists and turns?" Wu was puzzled.

Chen Gan shook his head, "That I can’t guess, but contacting this agent should reveal the answer."

...

That afternoon, in a coffee shop in Queens.

Wu, Chen Gang, and a skinny white man met there. The white man, in his forties, named William, was the agent Dana White introduced to Wu.

"Mr. Wu’s situation is known to us; we’ve heard that your UFC debut opponent is Dan Hu?"

After briefly introducing themselves, William dived into the main topic.

Chen Gang spoke for Wu, "Our side has confirmed we’re willing to fight Dan Hu, but Dan Hu’s side has not yet confirmed."

William nodded, "Good, let me tell you about my end. I have cooperated with many well-known UFC fighters. I have a very professional team under me, including fighting coaches, physical fitness trainers, tactical analysts, nutritionists, massage therapists, and so on. I can guarantee this is one of the best teams in the UFC!"

Chen Gang nodded, "What else?"

So far, he hadn’t heard a reason compelling enough to justify a contract.

William displayed a meaningful smile, "Besides that, one of the fighting coaches in my team used to be Dan Hu’s personal coach. This person is very familiar with Dan Hu’s technical strengths and various fighting styles. Dan Hu’s team has been trying to get this person back, but he’s now part of my team. In other words, if Mr. Wu wants to win against Dan Hu in the first match, signing with me would be the wisest choice!"