Chapter 528: A One Hundred Million Appearance Fee

Chapter 528: A Hundred Million Appearance Fee

"Just empty fame."

Meng Fan replied with his usual humility: "Different fields, hard to compare."

The reporter clearly wasn't ready to let it go, pressing further: "Then if you were to fight under UFC rules, do you think you'd have a chance? How much of a chance?"

Many reporters in the audience were watching the spectacle, as if they already knew this was coming.

Meng Fan maintained his characteristic modesty, saying: "This is a judo competition press conference; let's not talk about other irrelevant matters."

The press conference still had staff maintaining order, and seeing this, they went to take the reporter's microphone.

As the reporter struggled for the mic, he shouted: "Meng of China, are you scared? You're afraid of UFC fighters! You're afraid of the Monster!"

The Monster was the nickname of the current UFC number one.

The scene was somewhat chaotic, but the cameras and gazes all interestingly converged on Meng Fan, wanting to see his expression or if he would respond.

And Meng Fan never disappointed, saying with a chuckle: "What am I afraid of? Afraid of accidentally beating the other guy to death?"

The press conference ended in this seemingly unpleasant but mutually satisfied atmosphere, followed by the media and UFC doing their thing—from Meng Fan's rhetorical question "Afraid of accidentally beating him to death?" to the statement "I'm afraid of beating him to death" to the exclamation "Meng of China vows to knock out the Monster with one punch"—just snippets from the media.

Although there was on-site interview footage, the media couldn't resist more explosive headlines.

After this incident, the leader of the Chinese judo team was frantic with worry. Although Meng Fan had always been easy to manage within the team, recalling his personality of once single-handedly wrecking a South Korean martial arts dojo made them terrified. In this situation, no need to say, trouble was bound to happen.

When they went to Meng Fan, he kept saying it was no big deal, that he would obey the team leader's management and strictly follow the athletes' outing regulations, which left them embarrassed. Still, they couldn't feel at ease.

Next, Meng Fan indeed behaved himself, methodically finishing the competition and winning both individual and team championships. Even though many spectators at the venue jeered—some supporting Meng Fan, others mocking him for only talking big and not daring to fight—Meng Fan remained as steady as ever.

The competition passed smoothly amid the Chinese team leaders' worries, but in the end, trouble still came.

After finishing his match, collecting his gold medal and championship points, Meng Fan was stopped by a man as he walked out. The man was over two meters tall, a head taller than Meng Fan, with a build a size larger, at least 250 pounds. Standing there, he was like a pillar of heaven. What stood out oddly against his fierce physique was the smile on his face—surprisingly gentle!

Without a doubt, this was the current UFC number one, also known by fans as the strongest man on Earth, the Monster.

The Monster appeared here, in an area almost exclusively accessible to staff, athletes, and their teams, which meant he had connections with the organizers.

Meng Fan hadn't yet left the venue for the back lounge, and the Monster's appearance and meeting with Meng Fan drew many eyes.

"Hello, Meng of China!"

The Monster, Joey Howard, extended his large hand toward Meng Fan. There was no arrogance in his attitude, no harsh words—only a gentle smile on his face and an undeniable fighting desire in his eyes: "First, I'm very sorry to bother you here! Second, I apologize for some unfavorable remarks about you in the media; I admit a large part of it is fabricated by my company and the event organizers! Finally, I personally truly want to fight you. The format can be your choice, even purely judo if you want. It's not for anything else—just to spar with a true master, and you are definitely that kind of person!"

Although the Monster's appearance here to challenge him was clearly a bit coercive, and the involvement of his company and UFC organizers was obviously to hype things up, his attitude was at least decent. Meng Fan could see that half of it was genuinely wanting to fight, so he responded amiably, shaking his hand and saying with a smile: "Are you sure you want to fight?"

With a squeeze of his hand, the Monster Joey Howard's face immediately lost its composure. His features were the bold, exaggerated type, so any expression looked particularly striking. Those nearby could more or less see his discomfort, and the more sensitive could even detect pain.

The Monster Joey Howard didn't beg for mercy but endured it.

Meng Fan knew when to stop.

But the Monster didn't let it go. He hid the hand Meng Fan had shaken behind his back—though who knows what he was thinking, with everyone around, did he think no one would see the shaking?—and said to Meng Fan: "I admit your strength is astonishing, but UFC has never been won by strength alone. And you should know that both judo and jiu-jitsu are arts where the small can overcome the big! Regardless, I still hope to truly fight you."

He had changed his tune; earlier he said the format was up to Meng Fan, now he was insisting on UFC rules.

Meng Fan's smile faded. He looked the Monster up and down and said: "Whether you really want to fight or are being forced to, pass this message to them. Fighting is fine, but three options. One: if you want me to fight in UFC, give me a hundred million dollars as an appearance fee. Two: I arrange the time and place, you come; I'll broadcast it publicly, but the rights are mine; you'll get an appearance fee at your usual rate. Three: right here, after the competition ends, we fight directly."

The Monster and UFC had schemed to challenge Meng Fan, not primarily to vie for the title of world's strongest—that wasn't their main goal, nor was it truly just for a fight. The purpose was simple, and without Teddy Riner needing to worry, Meng Fan had already figured it out: ratings and buzz.

The main revenue for UFC and similar events came from ratings (viewership). If they could get Meng Fan to fight, it would greatly boost their ratings, allowing them to sell more rights or sell broadcast rights at a higher price.

This wasn't the first time UFC had tried to "hitch a ride" on Meng Fan; previous opportunities were slim, but this time he was on their turf—how could they let it go?

Meng Fan knew from the start that he couldn't keep dodging. No matter how much he avoided fighting, they would find ways to leech off him.

So then, fight.

Of course, he wouldn't let them get the better of him.

(The End)