Chapter 317 - 288: Heroes Create the Circumstances, What Can You Do to Me?
There was no doubt that Wu Li’s press conference had once again topped the headlines across major media in the United States.
Perhaps his last remark made specifically in Chinese might have made some American viewers uncomfortable, but his flamboyant performance in the match against Charles surprisingly pleased more American viewers, and they instantly took a liking to such a character.
This is the difference between domestic and international perspectives. Domestically, thoughts focus on moderation—even when winning a match, it’s best to display humility and grace. However, many American viewers, especially those who enjoy watching UFC, prefer athletes with bold personalities; the more arrogant and eccentric, the more charismatic they seem.
Neither mindset is superior; they simply reflect different preferences.
Previously, athletes from Hua Country left an impression of being low-profile and modest on American viewers. Even Zhang Weili, who had won championships, would try to use a smile to defuse the tense atmosphere during stare-downs.
So, many American viewers think that athletes from Hua Country should all be like that; even if they are very strong, they prefer to show their modest side. However, last night, Wu Li’s actions and his finger-pointing shattered that stereotype among the American audience: it turns out that athletes from Hua Country can also be bold and domineering!
Why is the current featherweight champion ’Motor Mouth’ Conrad so famous and popular? Because he’s incredibly brash! His words make his opponents and many people want to tear him apart, but they can’t touch him in the ring, which is why he’s so renowned.
Now, Wu Li is equally arrogant, but not with words, through his actions: he pounded his opponent with three punches in the ring and then turned his back, leaving the referee announcing the end of the match, something only someone who then got KO’d by an opponent had dared to do before. But not Wu Li; it was his opponent who fell.
If showing off fails, one’s a fool, but if it succeeds, that’s badass!
After ’Motor Mouth’ Conrad, UFC viewers haven’t seen a standout fighter for a while; Wu Li undoubtedly has the potential, and he seems even stronger than Motor Mouth, for while Conrad is fierce with words and can also defeat his opponent in the ring, his victories aren’t always easy, whereas Wu Li, his two matches were total dominations!
Clearly, being arrogant through actions rather than words is more appealing.