Kylie Jenner versus Dua Lipa (Lightweight Title)

BEFORE:

If it seems like Dua had the lightweight gold about five minutes ago, well, that's because she did. It was a little over five months ago that an impressive run was ended in an upset loss to Stana Katic. "I've had some time to process that," says the singer with a nod. "Mistakes were made. They won't be repeated."

And, now Lipa's back in a title tilt, this time against Kylie, who claimed her first lineal belt a couple of months ago and has no intention of allowing Dua to end her reign tonight. "She's going down. Hard. Period."

ROUND ONE:

No surprise early. Dua's got the reach and she wants to use it, working the jab, setting up at gunnery range. This isn't the game Kylie wants to play. The shorter Jenner wants to do what she always does, come forward, bang, use her power. Result is that the first round is all about who gets what and how much of it. Lipa's able to manage at times, using the jab and moving the feet. At others, Kylie's able to crowd and work body, back up the older woman with hard shot. Add it all up, and you've got a very close round that's in doubt right to the final bell. When it rings, it's the champion who's done just a bit more and grabbed the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Dua adjusting. She's moving the feet now, working the left, staying off square. Jenner trying to work forward, but mostly finding it impossible to do. Oh, she can step toward Dua, but she's taking fire doing it, and, by the time she gets to the spot, Lipa's gone, having moved either laterally or given ground. The entire round goes like this, and it's plenty frustrating for the champion. Jenner just can't get much going, and she's taking a thumping from the taller woman for her troubles. Kylie's never hurt, but she's definitely taking a licking right to the bell. When it rings, there's no doubt about the points. It's Dua and it's wide and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Kylie in a half crouch, keeping the hands high, working in, picking off Dua's jab, then going body. The adjustment pays dividends. Oh, Jenner's not able to get the terms she wants all the time. But, she's getting her share, just like in the first. And, she's taking advantage of those opportunities, scoring with heavy leather, backing Lipa up, making the challenger uncomfortable. At range, it's Dua in control as always, and, like in the first round, both fighters are getting some, but not all of what they want. Result, like the first, is a very close stanza. And, just like the first, at the bell, it's Kylie who's done a bit more and claimed the points to go back into the lead at 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Jenner pressing even more effectively this stanza. She's blocking the jab, stepping inside, working body, head, body. Dua giving ground, trying to set up a perimeter, but Kylie keeps getting past it and getting to work. Lipa forced to the defensive again and again as the younger woman gets off lusty at times, backing her up, forcing her to cover up. Jenner's got it all going by the final minute and even traps Dua on the ropes and lets the challenger have it with a series of hard flurries. Dua's never hurt, blocking and slipping some of the heavy fire effectively, but, when the bell rings, Kylie's got the round and she's got it wide to lead 39-37.

ROUND FIVE:

More pressure from Jenner, but, this time, the challenger's ready for it. Dua gives ground, works the feet, and then WALKS KYLIE INTO A BOOMING RIGHT! DOWN. GOES. JENNER! Champion blown to her back after a BRUTAL right hand. Lipa quickly to a neutral corner to watch and wait...ends up exactly one second short of regaining the straps as the champion makes it to her feet at nine. Kylie's a shambles, though, and when Dua is waved on, she batters the younger woman back into the ropes and gives her a thorough thrashing. The ref's looking in closely as Kylie hangs on in a high guard, jabbing back just enough to keep him at bay. At the bell, Jenner's still on her feet, but Dua's grabbed the round 10-8 and evened things at 47 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Dua in charge, walking down the wobbly Kylie with hard shot, looking to finish this thing. Jenner just trying to hang on. She's taking a licking, but she's continuing to do the ticking, as the challenger loads up on just about everything. Despite Lipa's best efforts, the champion stays on her feet, and, about two minutes in, her legs begin to come around. Dua keeps pressing the issue. She got her opponent on the back foot and is determined to keep her there, but Jenner's able to respond now. She's not giving as good as she gets, but she's making the taller brunette pay a price for her offensive. At the bell, the challenger has taken the round wide and pulled back into the lead at 57-56, but Kylie's back in the fight.

ROUND SEVEN:

We're back to where we were in the first. Dua no longer pressing. She wants to box and range while Jenner wants to close and bang. BOOM! Right hook, KYLIE! Champion slips a jab, steps to, and sends Dua RUMBLIN', STUMBLIN', FUMBLIN' across the ring. Jenner all in, winging away with both hands and DOWN GOES LIPA! Dua dropped to her back by a straight right. Kylie to a neutral corner to watch and wait. But, the challenger is on her feet at eight. Ref gives her the mandatory and waves on the challenger! Jenner charging forward, letting both hands go, forcing the older woman to the ropes and banging away to the head. Lipa staggered by a left hook and IT'S OVER! The ref leaps in and bundles the challenger to safety and it's OVER and your winner by TKO7 and STILL Unified Lightweight Champion is Kylie Jenner!

AFTER:

Kylie matter-of-fact in the post. "This girl can box, yeah. But, she's not tuff enough to hang with a real hitter like me. She tried. And, you saw what happened. I've still got the gold. And, I'm not giving it up any time soon."