Press Conference
[Yuito's POV]
The press conference went better than I thought it would. There were no heated arguments or trash-talking and everything was done professionally. Some might even call it boring.
The main focus in the first half of the press conference was between Yoel and Rockhold as they are the main event. There was not much trash talking mostly due to the language barrier.
Yoel could speak English as he showcased it backstage but only barely, so when the journalist asked questions, they spoke in Cuba. Most of the time, the fighters did not know what the other was talking about.
Yoel was also quite a nice guy as he was a devoted Christian who did not trash talk much. The best he could do was give out threats, saying how he was going to break your bones, smash your face and cripple you.
He never really brought up other personal subjects and ridiculed the fighters, He was blunt and to the point. He did not play around and just told you his intention of rearranging your face in the octagon and telling you to prepare to die.
They were asked about their fighting strategy for the fight, their opinions of their opponent, and what they planned to do next after winning or losing the fight.
Rockhold trying to do some trash talking like questioning his faith as breaking people's bones and trying to cripple them in the octagon was not really something a devoted Christian should do.
But Yoel just smiled and said he was Samson.
After the journalists were done talking to the main event fighters, the attention focused on me, and Dong Hyun Kim who was seated on the other side with Rockhold.
Dong Hyun Kim was a man who stood at 6'2 feet with respectable lean muscles. We were going to fight in the Welterweight division and you could still see some exhaustion on his face from the weight cut.
His face was youthful, looking much younger than he actually was and he had small scars on his face that spoke of his experience in combat and war. His nose was also crooked after years of constant breaking.
The questions started coming to both of us and luckily, my opponent knew how to speak English and the press became more lively as people could actually understand what we were saying.
They were asking the normal question to Dong Hyun Kim but it was different for me.
Most of the questions the journalist asked me were about the girls and my love life. Of course, they did not ask it directly but you could tell from their question that it was what they wanted to know.
What the hell!!!
Marin and Komi were at the top of the world's beauty. It should be noted that even the other girls who could contend with them all had the help of makeup or sugeris while Marin and Komi just had their natural beauty most of the time. Especially Komi as makeup just put flaws on her already perfect face.
And I was also very popular amongst the ladies which had them curious about exactly what was going on in my love life.
I really need to reassess how I was known for around the world. In Japan and Korea, people were more interested in my career and fighting prowess but it seemed to be a different case for the rest of the world.
'How annoying.'
"I want to know about how you manage your time with having two girlfriends and also having to train for your fights. Does your relationship affect your skills and improvement? Or are you just throwing away your potential just for these girls and the romance?" One journalist asks.
Finally, a bearable question.
"Thank you for the question and to answer your question, no you don't have to worry about my relationship affecting me or my career." I started.
"There is this misconception that I am a young talent, a prodigy who is still in the middle of realizing his true potential. That is not true." I said, "I am not someone who is in need of time to grow, I have grown. I already have the ability to become the champion and I am going to prove that to the world on Sunday night."
The audience 'ooed' and 'ahhhed' at my bold declaration. My words seem crazy but my tone and voice told of a different story. It made them consider whether it was true or not due to the resolve and confidence behind those words.
"Hahahahahahaha." Everyone heard a peal of laughter from Dong Hyun Kim after my statement. "Are you serious kid? Do you really believe that you are on my level?"
"No no no no, are your ears failing you in your old age?" I said in response. "I said I was at a champion level. And I don't think you have ever become a champion even now, at the end of your career."
The audience applauded and hollered at my response as Dong Hyun Kim's face flushed with anger. It was probably his greatest regret not ever becoming a champion as he had come close to it but never actually achieved it.
"You don't know what you are talking about kid. I have seen talents like you, and they all fall. It requires more than just talent to be a fighter. It takes more than skills to survive in the UFC. It requires resolve and determination, which I did not see from you as you have been busy hanging around the city with your gold-digging girls instead of actually grinding." He said, prompting reactions from the crowd. Things were heating up.
"Grinding is a fool's errand. An activity the mundane mass participated in to catch up to the remarkable and genius." I said.
"Really? Really!? Is that what you think? It seems you are in need of some lessons about life kid. Your ego is through the roof even though the reason you got such an opportunity like this is due to those cheap girls of yours and your good looks. I have seen you fight, you are not a real fighter." my opponent said with a heated voice.
"Think what you want. And what is this you are talking about teaching me a lesson? Look here old man, it is concerning that you are this ignorant. You would've thought people would gain some wisdom as they age but you seem to be a different breed of stupid." I said.
"Instead of you teaching me a lesson about life, I will show you why you were never the champion even with your belief of hardworking and determination bullshit. I will show you that some people like me are just born different and that no amount of effort matters in front of true genius." I said, getting reactions ranging from applause to criticism from the crowd of journalists.
"Oh is that so? I wonder how you would feel after I knock you out in front of those girlfriends of yours." He spat out in anger.
"Why are you always bringing my girls up like this? Are you hoping for a reaction? An anger, a rage, from me? Hahaha, I am afraid I won't do that. But be careful though as the more you insult them, the more I am going to embarrass you in front of the whole world on Saturday Night."
The press conference finally became loud and bustling as we argued back and forth. The main event was even forgotten at the moment as the journalist made sure to capture everything we said and I could even see the announcer smiling when he saw the reaction of the crowd.
One journalist stood up and asked another question, "This is a question for both fighters. How long do you it would take to end the match?"
"Round 1!!" Dong Hyun Kim screamed out, " I will take him out in the first round and teach him a bit about respect and humble him." he said, it seemed he was angry as Koreans were known for their respect to the elders and I was doing the opposite.
"Fujita?"
"In the first round, I will give him a chance as the superior fighter and only block and dodge without attacking." I began, "On the second round, I will limit myself to kicks and challenge his expertise in kicking and taekwondo. And on the third round, I will fight serious and show him the difference between other fighters and myself and let him despair. Then I will end the fight and his career with a knockout."
I gave a detailed plan on how I was going to fight and the crazy thing was, I was actually going to do it and follow this exact plan.
"What a load of bullshit." he spat out in disgust, anger evident in his voice. "On second though, I will play around with you for the whole fight and cripple you so that you would never see another match again."
The press conference went on like that and the anticipation for the fight could not have been higher. People were curious to see us fight, some wanted me to prove my words but most wanted to see me fall and eat my words due to my arrogance.
Either way, they wanted to see me fight so it was a win for me.
I even manage to level up my speech and trash-talking skill during the conference and after an hour or so of constant verbal back and forth, it was already over.
After the press, I actually managed to meet the man Dana White himself who told me I did an amazing job promoting the fight and that he looked forward to my victory so that we could do more business together.
He was a cool dude, overall. He was nice and friendly and down to earth unlike what you would expect form a rich person.
He even invited me to go to a restaurant or go to a party but I refused, saying I needed training when in reality, I just wanted to return to my girls.
He understood my reason and bid me farewell. It was nice to have a good relationship with the big man himself but that was obvious, if you make him money of course he is gonna like you.
After I returned to my hotel, the girls congratulated me on my successful press and said I did a good job.
I was also finally able to eat with them as for a few days I have stopped eating to make the weight for my fight. Welterweight was at 170 pounds (78 kg). Luckily, it was not too much lighter from my normal weight which was around, 82- 83 kg.
The official weigh-ins were done yesterday, but there was still the ceremonial weigh ins which was to be done again tomorrow. There will also be a staredown there.
I enjoyed my time with the girls and even ended up visit some famous parks and islands. But at the end of the day, I bid them good night and went to do some training.
I called the three veterans from White Tiger and we go to the nearest fighting gym where I asked all of them to fight with me.
They declined at first but soon changed their tone when I said they would get bonus pay and if they could defeat me, they would get 10 thousand dollars.
"So who is going first?" One of them ask, " Han, want to go first?"
As they talked amongst themselves on who was going to fight me first, I interrupt them.
"I think there is a misunderstanding here." I said and got into a stance, "All of you, come at me togehter."
They paused and looked at me with a mic between offended and amsued.
"Well, we get to beat up an arrogant kid and get paid. Why the hell not!!" Han said and came at me first. The attack was quickly followed by the other two.
Every one fo them were from the pre-generation and although long past their prime, they were still strong.
I smiled. I hope I can improve even a little from this.
...
...
...
(1 hours later)
All three of them laid on the ground, tired and beaten up while I stood unscratched and unfazed.
It was the expected outcome.
After my fight with Gun, I was already stronger than him and the reason why he beat me was because of the damage I sustained while I was improving.
And coupled with the trainings I did after that and getting used to my new strength and power, I was already on a different level of strength.
________________
[Status :-
Name : Yuito Fujita
HP : 100
Race : Human, Incubus
Title : [The Prodigy] [The Gentleman] [Martial Artist] [Samurai] [Man of steel] [The degenerate] [The strong willed] [Gym rat] [The lone wolf] [The man of the house] [Investor] [The polite pervert] [Reader] [A handsome man] [The nice guy] [Breathing Master.][Lucky bastard] [Lionheart] [The Fearless] [Scumbag]....
------------------------
Stats :-
Charm : 28
Vitality : 25
Endurance : 52
Strength : 38
Agility : 44 -> 45
Intelligence : 18 -> 20
-----------------------
Skills :-
[Boxing : Grandmaster]
[Karate : Grandmaster]
[Wrestling : Grandmaster]
[Muay Thai : Grandmaster]
[Jiu-Jitsu : Master]
[Kenjutsu : Master]
[Shooting (Gun) : Intermediate]
[Football : Novice]
[Guitar : Advanced]
[Powerlifting : Master]
[Breathing technique : Grandmaster.]
[Komi-san's language : Master]
[Sun breathing ; Master]
[Animal Instincts : Advanced]
[Bullet Time : Master]
[Kudo : Grandmaster]
[Aikido : Advanced-> Master]
[Berserker mode : Intermediate]
[Killing Intent : Advanced]
[Tawekwondo : Grandmaster]
[Tai Chi : Advanced]
[Top G : Special Skill]
[Sign Language : Avanced]
[Drug resistance : novice]
[Fertility control : No rank]
....
....
....
.
(Note : The skill ranking goes like this = Novice--> Intermediate --> Advanced --> Master ---> Grandmaster--> Epic (very unlikely)--> Legend (Maybe a couple in the history of the world)-->Mythical)
Close]
________________
I was ready for my debut fight.
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Author's note : For those who are curious, Yoel Romero will be around Tom Lee level if not stronger and the UFC champions will all be at least Gapryoung Kim level if not higher.
It is only fair for the best in the world to be that level.