Ch.345Now I’ve decided to wait

“Why are they still calling Donghu Kim a champion when he’s been away from the ring and cage for almost two years?”

“I acknowledge his impressive achievements, but… that was only for a few matches, right?”

Generational shifts in the fighting world are unpredictable.

Someone might seem poised to reign for a long time.

Then suddenly fall to an unexpected supernova.

Or an unforeseen contender.

Might defend the throne with an indomitable record for years.

Even in such a world.

“Both boxing organizations and UFC have been too accommodating to Kim Donghu. I admit, no one has broken his PPV records in nearly two years.”

A two-year absence inevitably leads to generational change.

Fighters past their prime fade away.

New stars emerge and make their presence known.

During this period, both boxing organizations and UFC still.

Made no mention of Kim Donghu’s champion status.

“It’s like Powerball or Mega Millions… what do they call it in Korea? Lotto?”

“Yeah, I understand. When profitability is low and they want to hit a big payday, they want to bring Kim Donghu back.”

Blood and Belt, America’s largest fighting podcast.

They were finally addressing the issue the fighting world had been quietly avoiding.

“Honestly, Kim Donghu has had an enormous impact on global cultural industries, I admit that.”

Blood of Blood and Belt was the first to acknowledge Kim Donghu’s influence.

“I want to see the Archbone and Murciélago 2 movies he’s filming now. I’m a big fan of his.”

But separately from that, I’d like the fighting world to make the right decision now.

As soon as Blood finished speaking, Belt picked up the thread.

“True, for about a year I acknowledged there was no worthy opponent for him. Honestly, matching him with anyone would have been unfair.”

“But times have changed now. There’s been a generational shift, and Kim Donghu who’s taken a two-year break from fighting versus fighters in their prime? That’s unacceptable.”

And the conversation continued.

“Everyone will agree. We’re not trying to criticize Kim Donghu, we’re saying he needs to prove himself again.”

“Right, that’s why many fighters are provoking Korea, asking if they’re raising a coward champion.”

“I can’t agree with that statement, but I know it’s time to face this issue, waiting any longer would be ridiculous.”

“Donghu Kim! Prove yourself again! Or you need to step down!”

The conversation centered on one point.

Kim Donghu needs to return to the ring or cage.

In boxing, as a franchise champion, he could refuse if it wasn’t profitable.

But UFC doesn’t have such provisions, so he really needed to fight soon.

Numerous call-outs.

Various podcasts gradually covering requests for Kim Donghu’s return.

In this situation.

“What, what?”

“Wait… is that real?”

The podcast PD delivered shocking news.

“Kim Donghu…”

“Held an official UFC press conference?”

It was an unexpected move from Kim Donghu.

++++++

Can I prepare for fighting while filming a movie?

I asked myself.

‘If I add New Bullet to this… filming three projects simultaneously, and preparing for fighting during that?’

Generally, it would be impossible.

No, the schedule itself would be murderous.

Since filming doesn’t have fixed hours.

I might need to be on set all week long in some cases.

‘Then should I just… prepare for fighting on set? Connecting a few containers…’

But that’s only for normal circumstances.

At my current position, I thought I might be able to make it work somehow.

Besides.

‘Continuing like this isn’t respectful to my fans either.’

I’d noticed something personally.

Just from watching YouTube.

It’s extremely rare for people to like someone just for who they are.

To put it more clearly.

Fans tend to like the content a person creates.

Rather than the person themselves.

‘Even I don’t watch a dancer when they start gaming.’

This rule would apply to me as well.

Fans who like ‘me as a fighter’.

Like me when I’m doing that, not necessarily me as a person.

Which means they won’t automatically like me making movies.

So simply put.

‘I can’t keep the fans who want to see me going wild in the cage waiting any longer.’

Even if it seems impossible.

Even if it’s difficult, I can’t back out anymore.

But just giving up the champion position?

That’s also unacceptable.

I must fight.

But I can’t just perform adequately after a two-year break.

So I planned the ultimate event my way.

And that was.

“…Are you really saying you’ll fight five people on the same day? Five rounds?”

“Yes, please convey that message. Five people, five rounds. I’ll finish them all in the first round… I’m absolutely doing this.”

“UFC is unlikely to accept your proposal.”

“No, they’ll have no choice but to accept. Because I’m the one saying it.”

My plan was to hold an official UFC press conference and openly announce my intentions.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

As soon as I finished answering the reporter’s question, camera flashes erupted wildly.

This was the scoop of a lifetime.

Even Seokho hyung and Sangha hyung hadn’t expected this from me.

They were staring at me with their mouths hanging open.

Their eyes asked if I was serious.

I nodded calmly and spoke.

“As you know, I’m busy. I have movies to film, advertisements… modeling… talk shows and entertainment programs coming in even at this moment… But I also really want to fight. That’s why I made this decision.”

“Won’t fighters refuse to participate?”

“I don’t consider that possibility. Who would refuse to fight me? Does anyone dislike becoming rich?”

Wouldn’t you step into the ring with me if you could?

About 20 seconds of pain, then you leave the cage a wealthy person?

The reporter who received my question could only nod blankly without saying anything.

“That’s why I’ve gathered you all here to ask for your help.”

“Haha, to find five people who can challenge you?”

“Yes, exactly. I want the five… who are ranked right behind me. They’re probably watching my livestream right now.”

Are you watching?

I stared at the camera briefly as I said this.

At the same time, I spotted my official promoter, Bob, who had arrived late.

He was drenched in sweat, visible even through his clothes.

Did he rush here?

I felt a bit sorry.

But what can I do? These things are best when they’re sudden.

“How do you envision the rules?”

“I’ll start with the weakest opponent in the first round, and in the final round, I’ll have a proper title defense.”

Once the situation was somewhat clarified.

The reporters asked questions assuming this event would definitely happen.

“What if you fall before then?”

“I’ll relinquish my belt. What I want to prove with this match is my qualification for the belt. These five people will serve as totems to verify my skills.”

“…What if you get tired in the first round and fall in the second? Will the credit be shared?”

“All five will share it. Beating me won’t make any of them champion, since there are five of them. It just means I’ll give up my belt.”

Giving up the belt.

But conversely, I could also become a legend without relinquishing it.

When that image formed in my mind, I could see the reporters’ Adam’s apples bobbing.

They were swallowing nervously. Why were they tense?

I wasn’t sure why they were nervous.

“Are you saying it takes five people to challenge your belt?”

“That’s right.”

“What if the challengers aren’t finished within one round?”

“That won’t happen. They should worry more about how long they can last.”

I now understood almost 100% of the influence I had.

And how to wield it.

What I say becomes an issue.

What I do makes headlines the next day.

Whatever clothes I wear get analyzed and sell out.

In this situation, boldly making provocative statements?

It was bound to move people.

“Recently… I’ve been somewhat distant from the fighting world, and I know there are increasing numbers of fighters saying Korea is weak, Korea has weakened.”

I won’t name them specifically.

But I want to make something clear through this opportunity.

“I will engrave the power of Korea… into their flesh, bones, and souls.”

With those words, the press conference ended.

I judged that saying anything more would be disadvantageous.

I immediately stood up.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

With camera flashes erupting behind me.

‘Well, I’ve put on the show to set the stage.’

Now I decided to wait.

++++++

After the livestream ended.

-“I will engrave the power of Korea… into their flesh, bones, and souls.”

The so-called.

Kim Donghu’s patriotic statement.

ㄴGreat Donghu

ㄴKorea’s Secret Weapon Ultimate Battle Machine Kim Donghu

ㄴㄴWant me to show you my fist?

ㄴㄴSecret (world-famous)

ㄴBartender, bring me some makgeolli hahahahahahaha

Once again turned the global community upside down.