"Martial arts competitions are like this, if you are targeted this ti, find the reason, improve it, and strive not to be targeted in the sa way in the next match, and so the cycle goes. There is no perfect technique in this world, anyone, even those UFC champions, although their techniques have no obvious weaknesses, there are always so details that can be targeted. If used well, there’s a chance to defeat them, just like Conrad defeated Avali."
"And the role of a professional team is to amplify your opponent’s weaknesses while minimizing your own as much as possible."
"Mr. Wu, you might feel that you could defeat Dan Hu this ti without the help of a professional team, but can you guarantee that one day in the future, you won’t be defeated like Avali? If you aim to go further in the UFC, then you need a top-tier team, and my team is the top-tier!"
William waved his arm forcefully, "This is actually a great opportunity for collaboration, your first opponent being Dan Hu, and my team has coaches who know him very well. Together, you’d have a perfect start in the UFC."
Wu nodded, "I admit, you’ve persuaded ."
A smile erged on William’s face, however, Wu hadn’t finished speaking.
"But five years is still impossible."
William’s smile froze, he crossed his hands on the table and leaned forward, "Mr. Wu, what duration would you find acceptable?"
"Two years," Wu said.
In Wu’s plan, he wanted to reach the top in UFC within two years!
"No!" William imdiately refused.
He indeed ca to sign Wu on Dana White’s request, otherwise, with his and his team’s status in the industry, signing a champion would be easy; he wouldn’t need to bother signing a newcor.
According to Dana White’s vision, they’d take one to two years to build Wu up, then spend another two to three years tapping into the Hua Country market, but this would require Wu’s cooperation, hence the need to tie him down with a contract.
"We can lower the commission percentage appropriately, but we can’t reduce the contract duration," William stated directly.
"No, I can concede on the commission rate, but not the contract duration," Wu shook his head.
William found it tricky; typically, the biggest contention in his negotiations was the commission rate, as neither party would easily compromise since it could involve millions of US dollars. But unexpectedly, with Wu, even a forty percent commission was negotiable.
"Mr. Wu, currently, the highest UFC single-match appearance fee is $3.5 million, and that’s just the appearance fee, it excludes prize winnings and comrcial sponsorships," William said frowning, implying did you realize how much money this involves?
This ti, before Wu could reply, Chen Gang spoke, "Mr. William, you might not know, but Wu has his own company in our country, and the business is doing very well. His future won’t be limited to the UFC. Five years dedicated to business could probably earn him more than all the UFC champions combined."
William: "..."
He understood the implications; Wu wasn’t short of money. To Wu, ti was more precious than money.
"Seems like we won’t reach an agreent any ti soon, shall we discuss this another day?" Chen Gang suggested.
William looked deeply at Wu, nodded, and agreed, "Okay."
...
"What will you do if the negotiations fail in the end?"
On the way back, Chen Gang asked Wu.
Wu replied, "Then I’ll find another team."
Chen seed worried, "But if the other team isn’t good enough, won’t it affect you?"
Wu smiled, "The role of a professional team certainly counts, but the fighter’s own strength is also very important. In the match he showed us, if that guy nad Avali had reacted a bit faster, even after falling into the trap, he might not necessarily have lost. So, having the top-tier team is obviously best, but if not, there’s no need to force it."
Chen understood what Wu ant; Wu felt that with his own strength, even if the backing team wasn’t the top-tier, he could still rise to the top in the UFC.
"It’s good you’re confident, but still, it’s best to consult professionals, after all, we don’t know which teams in the circle are powerful," Chen said.
Wu nodded, "The question is, who do we ask?"
Chen Gang laughed, "You’ve forgotten that you’re not the only one from our country fighting in the UFC. With your current fa, those people should be very willing to do you a favor."
...
Washington, inside a comprehensive training gym.
A man with yellow skin, black hair, and black eyes, his upper body bare, was sweating profusely as he trained. His muscles were evenly defined, radiating explosive power.
"Yidong, stop for a mont, I have sothing to tell you."
A slightly overweight middle-aged man with curly hair ran over, speaking in Chinese.
Song Yidong stopped what he was doing and looked at the man, "What’s up, Brother Qian?"
"Guess who contacted just now?"
Song Yidong, "Who?"
"Wu Li!"
Qian Lichuan was excited, "He heard you are also in the United States and wants to et you."
Song Yidong was sowhat surprised, "He wants to et ?"
"Yes, I accepted on your behalf," Qian Lichuan smiled, "His flight arrives in Washington this afternoon, and we’ll have dinner together tonight."
Song Yidong frowned, "Brother Qian, but I still have training tonight."
Qian Lichuan patted Song Yidong on the shoulder, "What’s the harm in missing one night? I’ll go talk to Adam in a bit."
Song Yidong was a bit uncomfortable, "Brother Qian, does it have to be tonight?"
Qian Lichuan looked carefully at Song Yidong’s expression and laughed, "Yidong, don’t you want to et Wu Li?"
Song Yidong touched his nose, "It’s not that I don’t want to et him, just that I have a competition coming up soon, and missing training isn’t ideal."
"Co on, you," Qian Lichuan pointed at Song Yidong, "Don’t think Brother Qian is ddling too much. eting Wu Li tonight and getting to know him will benefit your future."
"Why should I look for benefits from him when everyone is competing on their own?" Song Yidong was sowhat unwilling.
"Haha," Qian Lichuan laughed upon hearing this, "I know you feel competitive towards him."
Song Yidong blushed, "When did I..."
Qian Lichuan waved his hand, cutting him off, "It’s understandable, really. Before Wu Li erged, I also thought you had a chance to beco the number one person in Hua Country’s Martial Arts World."
Song Yidong fell silent upon hearing this and did not argue back to Qian Lichuan.
"You’re so young and already in the UFC, and your record isn’t bad. Considering the UFC’s emphasis on the Hua Country market in recent years, it’s possible for you to get a title shot and even beco the champion. I’ve analyzed these things for you before," Qian Lichuan said slowly.
"But, you see, Wu Li is such a sudden and extraordinary ergence. Just look at what he has done. Not to ntion his popularity in our country, even his popularity here in Arica has now started to rise. His probable opponent for the first fight is ranked sixth in the lightweight division, Dan Hu. Hey! How many people retire without ever facing soone from the top ten? You understand these things, Yidong."
Qian Lichuan placed his hand on Song Yidong’s shoulder, "Moreover, the most crucial point is that Wu Li’s biggest difference from you guys is that he uses Traditional Martial Arts! Every fight he wins in the UFC, every victory ans sothing extraordinary to many people back ho. So, no matter how far Wu Li goes in the UFC, befriending him now will benefit you."
Song Yidong smiled, "No need to be so deliberate, right?"
Qian Lichuan spread his hands, "How is this being deliberate? This ti it’s him who wants to et you; what a great opportunity! Yidong, honestly, I know you feel competitive, but tonight’s eting, let’s have a good talk. Keep this competitive feeling in your heart, and in the future, we might even surpass him, right?"
After a brief silence, Song Yidong nodded, "Understood."
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