Martial Arts Livestreaming
Chapter 386 - 353: Stirring Up Trouble, Cloud Movement in All Directions

Chapter 386: Chapter 353: Stirring Up Trouble, Cloud Movement in All Directions

In the room, Dana White said to Victor, "I need to consider this matter seriously."

Victor frowned slightly, "I hope you can give me an answer soon."

After speaking, he stood up and left the room.

Dana White didn’t mind the rudeness and sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

The success of the Yanhuang Technique had made him feel threatened. Competitive sports inherently had regional advantages, and Hua Country’s audience obviously preferred to see their local fighters. Moreover, the fact that many used Hua Country’s Kung Fu in the Yanhuang Technique would easily endear them to the Hua Country’s audience.

Wu Li had now successfully opened up Hua Country’s fighting market with the Yanhuang Technique. UFC had to worry not only about competing for the market but also about the potential future threat to its own status.

Though the Yanhuang Technique had just started, the most immediate concern was ONE, also in Asia. It would take the success of Yanhuang Technique wresting the Asian market from ONE before attempting to challenge UFC’s status.

However, Dana White was always cautious; he preferred to nip threats in the bud. Thus, organizing the Combat World Cup at this moment seemed perfect.

Simply put, the Combat World Cup was a global fighting event conducted under the representation of different countries.

If he could successfully hold such a grand tournament and garner widespread international participation, it would immensely promote the sport of fighting!

As UFC was currently the highest-level Mixed Martial Arts event globally, including fighters from around the world, having these fighters in the teams participating in the Combat World Cup, especially the American Team which would entirely comprise UFC fighters, would solidify UFC’s position as the foremost fighting event in the minds of audiences worldwide once crowned champions!

By then, neither the Yanhuang Technique nor any other fighting event could threaten UFC’s status for years, not to mention capturing UFC’s own market.

Just like Victor had said, such an event was purely beneficial without any drawbacks for Dana White; there was no reason to hesitate.

However, Dana White did not immediately agree due to two concerns. First, he worried that the event might not be successful. Despite not being an official governmental event, it involved multiple countries worldwide that needed to cooperate voluntarily. What if after spending a lot of money, it garnered little attention?

Second, Dana White was wary of Victor’s boss. The more moderate their demands, the more suspicious he became. Particularly this time, if they could manage such a major event for him and he reaped considerable benefits while they asked for seemingly trivial things, could there really be such a good deal in this world?

...

On the other side, after leaving the private club, Victor got into a black sedan and while driving, he put on a Bluetooth headset and made a call.

"Victor." A deep male voice came from the other end.

"Boss, I have finished the talk," Victor’s tone was very respectful, his body unconsciously straightening even though it was just a phone call.

"What did Dana White say?"

"He didn’t agree immediately and said he needed to think it over. Boss, should we warn him?"

"Heh, no need, he will definitely agree. Victor, go talk to the president of SF."

"Yes."

Without asking why, Victor hung up and drove directly towards the headquarters of SF.

SF, short for Strikeforce, another Mixed Martial Arts event primarily featuring lighter weight classes, posed the greatest threat to UFC in North America.

Victor guessed what his boss meant just by the orders; the boss might not genuinely intend to collaborate with SF, but by showing this willingness, Dana White would be clear on one thing: if you don’t want to cooperate, there are plenty of others who will.

The rise in status and influence of SF was something Dana White definitely didn’t want to see; even if it meant adopting the attitude of ’if I can’t do it well, I won’t let you do it either,’ UFC would definitely undertake the Combat World Cup.

...

On September 3, 2021, UFC President Dana White made headlines across multiple news outlets in the United States.

Dana White had posted an article on his personal Twitter and the official UFC website about the development and promotion of the fighting sports. He proposed organizing a global fighting tournament and invited fighting teams from various countries to participate.

In the article, Dana White openly invited several renowned fighting events from around the world to participate in the tournament, such as Brazil’s IBJJF, Thailand’s top two Muay Thai events, Japan’s K-1, Germany’s WKU Free Fighting Union, Russia’s M-1 Fight Tsar, and Hua Country’s newly established Yanhuang Technique.

The article caused a sensation in the United States, with countless fighting enthusiasts spreading the word and expressing their opinions online. Almost everyone was looking forward to such a grand fighting event.

Simultaneously, UFC used its promotional channels and influence to broadcast Dana White’s proposal across various countries worldwide.

...

Brasilia, Brazil.

Inside a training academy, a group of individuals dressed in white Martial Arts Uniforms were rolling and grappling on the floor.

Clearly, this was a Jiu Jitsu Academy.

In Brazil, it’s likely that eight out of ten Martial Arts Halls teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting the widespread tradition of martial arts throughout the nation.

Several instructors, each with a black belt around their waist, were teaching the students, indicating their proficiency as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts.

Acquiring a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is challenging, and many academies don’t even have one black belt instructor, yet this place had several!

However, the students here weren’t surprised, as this Jiu Jitsu Academy held a very esteemed position in Brasilia and throughout Brazil—it was opened by members of the Gracie family!

Members of the Gracie family had gradually evolved Gracie Jiu-Jitsu into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and, with impressive records, promoted it worldwide. The status of the Gracie family in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community was substantial.

This academy, established by members of the Gracie family, attracted many people. The Gracie family had stationed four black belt instructors and one black-and-red belt Jiu Jitsu Master here permanently, and occasionally, a red belt Legendary figure would come to give lessons.

"Stop, everyone come here!"

A burly man stood at the center of the venue and yelled out loud, he was Lei Wang Gracie, the head coach of the Jiu Jitsu Academy and a Black and Red Belt Master.

Following Lei Wang’s command, all the students and coaches in the venue stopped what they were doing, gathered around him, and formed a circle.

Lei Wang’s eyes were sharp as he scanned the surrounding students, "I just received the news, the IBJJF has confirmed they will join the Combat World Cup hosted by UFC!"

As his words fell, everyone present perked up.

IBJJF, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship, is the highest-level competition in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, organized by Brazil’s Jiu Jitsu Federation.

Lei Wang said, "This Combat World Cup is competing under the name of countries, so the Jiu Jitsu Federation has decided to select a group of the finest athletes domestically to ultimately represent Brazil in the World Cup!"

"A team’s spot is tentatively set for twenty people. Besides the IBJJF, many UFC fighters from our country will also participate in the selection. Although everyone will be representing Brazil, I hope that the IBJJF players can secure as many spots as possible because this competition is not only a promotion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but also for our IBJJF!"

Having said that, Lei Wang looked at the assembly of students, "You are the students of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy and the finest players of the IBJJF. I hope to stand side by side with you in the competition!"

His implication was clear, he was confident in being selected for the Brazil team. In fact, everyone took this as a given since Lei Wang was currently the representative of the Gracie family!

"Yes!" The students shouted together.

Lei Wang nodded satisfactorily, "Continue training!"

...

Thailand, Chiang Mai.

In a village, a group of people gathered, shouting loudly.

A makeshift stand had been built around, filled with spectators, while the center held a fighting ring where a special competition was taking place.

A muscular man faced four individuals, each armed with an iron rod.

The man was clad only in black shorts, his right arm tied with a special rope, sporting the typical Muay Thai boxer attire.

The four iron rod-wielding men surrounded him, and suddenly one of them launched an attack from behind, raising the iron rod to strikingly aim at the back of his head with no restraint, capable of cracking his skull if hit.

The audience on the stands did not show any concern; instead, they shouted louder, looking forward to it.

Swoosh!

The man turned, his right leg chopping out like a battle axe, striking the incoming iron rod from behind him.

Bang!

A muffled noise erupted as the iron rod was kicked into an arc, visibly bending, and the man wielding it was sent flying.

As the man turned and kicked, the other three also moved, stepping forward uniformly, raising their iron rods and fiercely smashing them towards him!

The man retracted his leg, pushed off the ground, and leapt forward, striking with a flying knee toward the left.

His speed was extreme, arriving before those who started their moves, his knee striking the face of the man on the left first.

Bang!

Blood splattered as that man went down.

Without any pause, the man landed and immediately turned, dodging another incoming strike from behind and delivered a ferocious turning elbow to the temple of the man behind him, causing his eyes to roll back as he too fell to the ground.

Only one adversary remained, visibly intimidated, but under the jeering from the crowd, he gritted his teeth and moved forward, frantically swinging his iron rod.

Snap!

The iron rod was caught accurately by the man’s right hand, who sneered arrogantly, snatched the rod away with one move, and then stepped forward to punch his opponent in the face, knocking him out again.

From the beginning of the fight to the point where he dealt with all four men, the whole process took less than five seconds, neat and clean!

The man raised his hands high, signaling to the audience around him.

At that moment, a man in a suit rushed over, whispered a few words to him.

The man turned and followed the other out of the stands, walking toward a parked black sedan on the roadside.

A middle-aged man wearing glasses looked at him, "Siti, have you heard about the Combat World Cup?"

The man known as Siti nodded, "I’ve heard."

"RJ and LP have both decided to send fighters, but there are only twenty spots, so a selection competition will be held domestically first."

RJ, Rajadamnern; LP, Lumpinee; these are the two most prestigious and authoritative Muay Thai competitions in Thailand. And Siti was one of the few who had obtained the title of Muay Thai King in both!

Siti looked at the other person, "Do I still need to participate in the selection?"

The other person laughed and shook his head, "Of course not, I came to inform you that you’ve already been selected to be part of the Thailand team of twenty."

Siti’s face showed a wild expression, and he licked his lips excitedly, "That’s great, it’s time to let the whole world know: Muay Thai is the most powerful martial art!"