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Chapter 317 - 288: Heroes Create the Circumstances, What Can You Do to Me?

Chapter 317: Chapter 288: Heroes Create the Circumstances, What Can You Do to Me?

There was no doubt that Wu Li’s press conference had once again topped the headlines across major media in the United States.

Perhaps his last remark made specifically in Chinese might have made some American viewers uncomfortable, but his flamboyant performance in the match against Charles surprisingly pleased more American viewers, and they instantly took a liking to such a character.

This is the difference between domestic and international perspectives. Domestically, thoughts focus on moderation—even when winning a match, it’s best to display humility and grace. However, many American viewers, especially those who enjoy watching UFC, prefer athletes with bold personalities; the more arrogant and eccentric, the more charismatic they seem.

Neither mindset is superior; they simply reflect different preferences.

Previously, athletes from Hua Country left an impression of being low-profile and modest on American viewers. Even Zhang Weili, who had won championships, would try to use a smile to defuse the tense atmosphere during stare-downs.

So, many American viewers think that athletes from Hua Country should all be like that; even if they are very strong, they prefer to show their modest side. However, last night, Wu Li’s actions and his finger-pointing shattered that stereotype among the American audience: it turns out that athletes from Hua Country can also be bold and domineering!

Why is the current featherweight champion ’Motor Mouth’ Conrad so famous and popular? Because he’s incredibly brash! His words make his opponents and many people want to tear him apart, but they can’t touch him in the ring, which is why he’s so renowned.

Now, Wu Li is equally arrogant, but not with words, through his actions: he pounded his opponent with three punches in the ring and then turned his back, leaving the referee announcing the end of the match, something only someone who then got KO’d by an opponent had dared to do before. But not Wu Li; it was his opponent who fell.

If showing off fails, one’s a fool, but if it succeeds, that’s badass!

After ’Motor Mouth’ Conrad, UFC viewers haven’t seen a standout fighter for a while; Wu Li undoubtedly has the potential, and he seems even stronger than Motor Mouth, for while Conrad is fierce with words and can also defeat his opponent in the ring, his victories aren’t always easy, whereas Wu Li, his two matches were total dominations!

Clearly, being arrogant through actions rather than words is more appealing.

...

"Dana White must be having a headache right now."

In the hotel, in Wu Li’s room, Chen Gang said to Wu Li with a smile.

Wu Li laughed, "I’m curious to see how he’ll arrange my next match."

Wu Li had chosen to hold the press conference last night not just to show off, but to set the stage for himself. His last statement was essentially telling everyone: I’m challenging the champion!

Now, not only the audience from Hua Country but many American viewers as well were eagerly anticipating Wu Li’s next match. Even if it’s not a championship bout, it had to be against a tougher opponent, or else the viewers would be very disappointed.

Moreover, it was foreseeable that if Wu Li kept winning like this, not setting him up for a championship would be indefensible.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

There was a knock on the door, and Chen Gang went to answer it. Gong Juren was outside.

"Brother Wu, people from Penguin Sports just called," said Gong Juren.

"Oh?" Wu Li was somewhat surprised.

Gong Juren walked over to Wu Li and said, "They want you to be a brand ambassador."

"Brand ambassador?"

"Yes, they said Penguin Sports has secured the broadcast rights for UFC in Hua Country for the next three years, so they are hoping you can be the face of UFC in Hua Country."

Gong Juren spoke point by point. Actually, since Wu Li became famous, there had been endless invitations for advertisements, commercial performances, endorsements, variety show appearances, and even movie and TV series roles. However, Wu Li declined them all, so since becoming Wu Li’s manager, Gong Juren had filtered out many invitations for him. But this time, he thought it was necessary to inform Wu Li about Penguin Sports’ offer.

"Wu Li, this is a great opportunity!" Chen Gang couldn’t help but chime in, "Penguin Sports wants to sign you, and you can use this opportunity to make your demands and then put some pressure on Dana White through them!"

Wu Li’s eyes lit up, and he laughed, "Old Chen, you’re a bit naughty."

...

New York, UFC Headquarters.

Dana White looked troubled as he had just concluded a meeting with several executives specifically to discuss Wu Li.

Regarding Wu Li, they were unanimous in hoping to leverage him to open the Hua Country market. Moreover, looking at the bids coming in from several video websites from Hua Country about the broadcasting rights, this strategy seemed very correct and profitable. However, frustratingly, Wu Li was unwilling to sign a long-term deal.

Not signing a long-term deal meant that once they helped make Wu Li famous, if he suddenly retired one day, what would happen to the Hua Country market then? Of course, UFC had various contingency plans, like promoting another fighter, or by then the foundation could have been well-established, and UFC’s popularity would have spread across Hua Country. Losing Wu Li wouldn’t result in too significant a loss.

But the unpredictability was too great—who knew if they could find someone like Wu Li again? Who knew if, once Wu Li stopped fighting in UFC, the Hua Country viewers would still be responsive?

Thus, for Dana White and UFC, the best approach was to firmly tie Wu Li down, keeping everyone on the same boat for the long haul. Dana White could sign a second three-year contract with Hua Country and have enough time to strategize.

However, Wu Li was not interested in signing and had made it clear that he would not fight in UFC for long.

Even so, at least for now, UFC was still profitable. But for a businessman like Dana White, when there’s an opportunity to earn ten times more, why settle for just two or three times as much?

So, Dana White was not ready to give up, nor were the UFC executives. They wanted to try a bit harder to get a grip on Wu Li, to turn him into a long-term golden goose.

"During this period, don’t arrange any matches for Wu Li. Let’s wait until his popularity decreases a bit, and let him cool down."

Finally, Dana White made this arrangement.

He was not worried that Wu Li would fade away. With the accumulation of past successes, coupled with Wu Li’s own abilities and UFC’s level of public relations and star-making capabilities, as long as Dana White wanted, he could revive Wu Li’s popularity at any time.

Now, it was a matter of endurance, to see who would falter first.

"President, the people from Penguin Sports in Hua Country called. They have arrived in New York and would like to meet with you to discuss a collaboration," Tom suddenly walked into Dana White’s office and said.

Dana White paused and then nodded, "Alright, set up a meeting with them."

...

Early the next day, Dana White met with the delegation from Penguin Sports in Hua Country.

The group was led by a vice president of Penguin Sports, as well as Zhang Dongming from Tencent’s strategic headquarters.

It was Zhang Dongming who initially had the strategic department of Penguin Sports study the possibility of acquiring UFC’s broadcasting rights in Hua Country. After obtaining approval from the Tencent executives, they officially embarked on purchasing the UFC broadcasting rights.

Several major domestic video sites, like PPTV and U Cool, had also made offers to UFC, but Tencent, being richer and more powerful, won Dana White over with an offer of $120 million USD for three years.

The two sides had only tentatively reached a cooperation agreement and had not yet signed a contract. Normally, someone from UFC would travel to Hua Country to sign the contract, but this proactive visit by Zhang Dongming and others was somewhat unexpected for Dana White.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhang Dongming brought up the cooperation.

"Mr. Dana, the reason our company is willing to pay a high price for the UFC broadcasting rights is largely because of Wu Li," Zhang Dongming said.

Dana White smiled, "Of course, Wu Li is an excellent player; I’ve met him a few times and we’ve talked together. I greatly admire him and am very optimistic about his prospects in the UFC!"

Zhang Dongming nodded, "Exactly, Wu Li is very famous in our country, you could even say he’s the hottest figure right now. His matches are loved by domestic viewers, so in this contract, we must ensure one precondition."

Dana White’s expression shifted slightly, still maintaining a smile, "What is it?"

Zhang Dongming stated, "His upcoming match arrangements and promotions must be top-notch!"

Dana White frowned slightly, "Mr. Zhang, UFC has its rules and a mature operational system over the years, and it can’t be disrupted for just one person."

Zhang Dongming laughed, "Mr. Dana, you misunderstand. I’m not saying that you should make exceptions for Wu Li or break the rules for him. We don’t intend to interfere with the UFC’s operations. What we mean is, we hope UFC will not deliberately target him."

Dana White’s expression turned stern, slightly displeased, "Mr. Zhang, are you suggesting something? I admire Wu Li; how could I possibly target him?"

Zhang Dongming and the other executives exchanged looks and laughed, then waved his hand, "We have indeed heard some rumors, but after meeting with Mr. Dana today, we think those rumors are false."

"However, these rumors did serve as a wake-up call. Before coming here, my boss specifically tasked me to ensure one thing," Zhang Dongming continued.

Dana White asked, "What is it?"

Zhang Dongming looked directly at him, "The contract we sign must ensure one thing: Within the next six months, Wu Li should get a chance to compete for the championship!"

The faces of Dana White and his executives changed, and Dana White shook his head directly, "That’s impossible; you’re trying to meddle directly with UFC’s operations!"

Zhang Dongming spread his hands, "Given Wu Li’s current performance, isn’t it only natural that he gets a title shot?"

Dana White replied, "But when to challenge for the championship is still a matter for UFC to decide internally."

Zhang Dongming’s smile faded, "But this is our bottom line. If we can’t agree on this, we will not sign the contract."

Dana White narrowed his eyes, "You should know that there are other companies in Hua Country that have made offers to us."

Zhang Dongming nodded, "Of course, I know. But please believe me, no matter which company you negotiate with, they will demand to add this condition to the contract!"

Dana White found it somewhat amusing, "Mr. Zhang, I don’t understand where your confidence comes from?"

Zhang Dongming shook his head, "Mr. Dana, you think this way because you still don’t fully understand Wu Li’s current popularity and influence in our country."

Dana White looked shocked, "So, it’s because of Wu Li, he persuaded you?"

Zhang Dongming smiled without saying a word.

Dana White took a deep breath. In his mind, he envisioned the scene from that night when Wu Li pointed his finger at the audience; for a moment, he had pointed at Dana White himself.

In a trance, he seemed to hear Wu Li saying to him: "Heroes shape the times; what can you do to me?"

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