Chapter 65 - Chapter 64 — Champion’s Declaration

After a brief but thunderous celebration, Yogan, draped in the vibrant five-star red flag, stood alone in the center of the Octagon. The deafening cheers of the crowd washed over him like a living wave.UFC President Dana White stepped forward personally, holding the gleaming championship belt. With ceremonial slowness he wrapped it around Yogan's waist. The cold metal pressed against Yogan's exhausted body — the symbol of the Featherweight "True God" now his.At cageside Joe Rogan was almost trembling as he raised his microphone. His voice cracked from adrenaline.> "Yogan! Six seconds! One punch and you ended José Aldo's decade-long reign! Tell the world — how do you feel right now?"Yogan took the microphone. His breathing still came in hard bursts that echoed through the PA system. For a moment he didn't speak. He bowed first to the roaring red ocean of fans. Only after the ovation ebbed did he straighten up, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. His voice was hoarse but every syllable rang with power.> "First of all… first of all I have to thank my team, my family — I mean Javier, DC, Cain, Luke… my brothers! Dr. Phil! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't even be here. We've been through hell together, so this belt isn't just mine. It belongs to all of us."He paused. His gaze drifted to where José Aldo was being helped to his feet by the medical staff. The crowd sensed the shift and quieted. The wild joy on Yogan's face softened into respect.> "And José Aldo…" His voice grew deep and serious. "He was, is, and always will be one of the greatest champions in the history of this sport.For the last decade he was the Featherweight True God, a monument that fighters like myself looked up to. The torch may have been passed tonight, but his legend will never fade. Sharing the Octagon with a true legend is the greatest honor of my life. Thank you, José."He bowed deeply toward Aldo.The arena erupted into a standing ovation — even many Brazilian fans joined in. This wasn't only a victory speech; it was the ritual salute of a new king to the old.When Yogan finally raised his head, his eyes blazed as he stared directly into the main broadcast camera, as if piercing the screen to speak to millions of viewers.> "Everyone saw how I looked on the scales. They said I was finished. They said I wouldn't recover. They said a Chinese kid could never stand here and lift this golden belt…"His voice swelled, gathering rhythm and heat until it filled every corner of the arena.> "To everyone watching the livestream, to every kid who's been mocked, belittled, told 'you can't do it,' I want to say this:When they tell you your dreams are impossible — great! Let them talk! Use their mockery and doubt as fuel. Because in this world, if you dare to risk it all, nothing… is truly impossible!"The crowd roared. The atmosphere hit a new peak. Joe Rogan looked almost misty-eyed and was about to wrap up the interview when Yogan's tone shifted. The warmth vanished, replaced by a knife-edge of ambition.> "Because nothing is impossible…"Slowly he turned. His gaze flashed like lightning and locked onto Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos, who had been watching from cageside. The broadcast director caught it instantly and cut to a close-up of Anjos on the big screen.> "…Therefore, my duty in the Featherweight division is complete."The entire arena held its breath. Everyone sensed news about to explode.Yogan lifted his arm and pointed directly at Anjos. His voice became a command to the world:> "Now I'm moving up another kilo!Rafael — clean your belt! I'll finish you in the first round just like I finished them all!"The arena detonated. If the victory speech had mobilized the crowd, this cross-division challenge was a nuclear bomb.Anjos shot to his feet, ripping off his suit jacket to reveal his muscular frame. He stared back at the undefeated new king, his eyes burning with challenge. The two champions locked gazes across the cage, battle-intent sparking like electricity.The entire building rose to its feet.Almost by instinct Joe Rogan yanked the microphone back and turned toward Dana White at cageside, shouting like a zealot:> "Dana White! Did you hear that?! The whole world heard it! A new king crowned in six seconds, and now he's calling out another champion! This is the future of our sport! This is a superstar! You have to make this fight happen! This could be the biggest fight in UFC history!"Dana White's smile stretched ear to ear, his face flushed crimson. He didn't even look at Rogan; he just raised both thumbs toward Yogan standing in the Octagon, one hand on his hip, the other still pointing at Anjos. His expression said it all: Son, whatever you want.Anjos's teammates tried to pull him back but he refused to budge. In his deep Brazilian eyes burned not only battle-intent but the sting of his honor being tested. Slowly he made a throat-slitting gesture toward Yogan — a silent promise dripping with menace.The MGM Grand Garden Arena erupted into an unprecedented frenzy. Thousands of fists pumped the air, thousands of throats screamed. Everyone knew they were witnessing history being written.Backstage, the hallways swarmed with reporters like a school of sharks. When Yogan appeared wrapped in the national flag, the golden belt gleaming at his waist, flashbulbs fired like an ocean of white light, turning the corridor into daylight."Yogan! Why challenge Anjos right now?""Does this mean you're giving up the Featherweight belt?""What do you think about Aldo's six-second knockout?"Questions surged like waves.But Yogan's team formed an impenetrable human wall. DC and Cain acted as bodyguards, shepherding their champion toward the private dressing room. The cameras followed as far as security allowed, capturing the new king disappearing into the backstage darkness with his belt and his challenge echoing around the world.A legend had fallen. Another had risen. And the next war was already on the horizon.---