Kelly Rohrbach versus Barbara Palvin (LW Tournament)

BEFORE:
In her opening remarks, Kelly heard scoffing at the thought of Palvin being her first opponent in the tournament.

“Come on. If she couldn’t put away Nina, do you honestly think she can beat the number one contender?”

Even after reporters not-so-subtly reminding Rohrbach that her number one contender status threatened most recently, with stinging losses to Adriana Lima and, of all people Taylor Swift, the blonde dismissively snapping back immediately: “Well, i’m still on the official rankings, aren’t I?? Geez…”

Sore spot there for sure, and Barbara not helping things by smiling sweetly at her from across the room throughout. The Hungarian model hasn’t had much luck in the ring recently either, but being dubbed as ‘The Greatest Unsigned Lightweight in the FCBA’ by the associated press has a way of puffing up one’s chest…

“There was a point where I was beginning to doubt myself, coming into this fight with Kelly. But after watching her go bum’s up against none other than Taylor Swift, of all people, I don't think I’m that scared anymore…” Barbara ending with a laugh. “I have no idea how she managed to climb all the way up to top of the rankings so easily. It just goes to show that some stables signed the wrong girls once they find out how they really perform in the ring.”

Kelly still fuming at those comments as they take their places at opposite sides of the ring. The Vixen is the stable’s sole representative in this contest for the newly vacant crown, but more than that - it’s an opportunity for her for sweet redemption and to prove that she belongs in the top ten. Rohrbach in baby blue bikini top, black bottoms, wearing white gloves. Barbara equally excited to get this party started in an all-black lingerie set, with red gloves. Referee rings the bell to start and this is just ONE of the matches in an already-stellar line-up for the Unified Lightweight Title! HERE we go!

ROUND 1:
Kelly strapping out the big guns early, snapping punches into Barbara’s guard in the opening minute. Palvin having little choice but to play along for now, blocking and evading best she can, but suffice to say she’s slightly shocked at this early treatment. There must be plenty of pent-up anger leftover in Rohrbach’s frame as she continues to dominate the exchange in close quarters. Palvin not given much room to breathe, but when she does spot an opening or two, bangs away at the blonde’s midsection and chest, not doing much to dissuade her attacker but at least still not giving her the entire round via shutout. Impressive display of what a number one contender should be like when the bell finally rings, Kelly short of breath but relatively untouched. The problem of course is whether she can keep this kind of pace and pressure going?

ROUND 2:
Barbara attempting to fight back, trying to meet Kelly punch for punch in the center, but again begins to regret her choices. Kelly keeping her arms locked in over her head, absorbing punishing hooks, and if it weren’t for her guard and ability to take Palvin’s power, she’d be on the floor by now. The Hungarian Sensation instead taking straight hands to her chin and lips intermittently, Kelly keeping herself in close range and sensing blood in the water as she fires away. Palvin being forced back from whence she came from, and the round looks equally forlorned for her all of a sudden… right until Kelly MISSES with a pulled-back straight cross, her eyes widening as her tummy gets spanked below, before Barbara begins hounding her up top with more rapid swings. Kelly stunned for a moment there, but quickly recovering. However she’s the one forced backwards on the defensive now, and wisely so, defending herself against any one of those Barbie knockout hooks.

ROUND 3:
Taste of victory in Barbara’s mouth that’s urging her forward to brawl again. She knows Kelly’s running scared, the Vixen’s aggression just a facade to cover up her lack of power behind her punches. Rohrbach with more surprise in her eyes as she bangs a left-right hook-hook off the body but they’re taken with nigh a whimper from Palvin. Barbara amplifying that shock on her face with a nasty SWIPE across, sending Kelly reeling to the side! Kelly barrels into the ropes, turns around as fast as she can in order to restore her defences. But Palvin already on her, jerking the body in and out, side-hooks spanking left, right, center, and battering the guard, like a tidal wave trying to break through the levee. Kelly clinching up in the final minute, breathless and bruised, but succeeds in turning Barbara around multiple times on the ropes, negating the rout and preventing a knockdown.

ROUND 4:
Barbara’s sides looking mighty reddened from all that side-digs whilst she was in the clinch. Still, Kelly looking the worse for wear, stumbling forward out of corner and now reevaluating her place in the ring. Palvin beckoning her forward seductively with a glove, smiling sweet lips as she opts to charge in instead. Kelly however ready for her this time, keeps her distance and slaps leather into the face whenever she gets in too close. Been talking to Head Trainer Saucier in the corner, I take it? Rohrbach only engaging when necessary, suddenly wary of her opponent’s punching power if she gets in range. Barbara still managing to score a couple hard strikes to the tummy and chest, but otherwise hits at empty air as her dominance suddenly screeches to a halt. Bell rings and judges should award this one to Kelly for some excellent adaptation in there.

ROUND 5:
Alas, that’s not to last for the Vixen. Barbara slowing down in the fifth, yes, but overeager Kelly seems to not have gotten the memo that it’s all a ruse on her part. She’s coming in hot like the first round, intending to start bullying again, but ends up the one being bullied. Barbara’s guard steady and firm as she takes long jabs from Kelly, who’s circling and punching, trying to find an opening. Kelly getting bolder and bolder, starts aiming hooks down the pocket, thinking her opponent’s already spent and ready to drop. That’s exactly when Barbara springs into action: a left hook counter-crashes into Kelly’s face UGHHH, followed by more deep shots into her gut, Barbie’s step-in power-up blasts to the sternum has Kelly bent her over in pain. Her body taking a beating in close quarters - and her only resort left is to clinch up again in times of desperation. This time, however, Barbie in control of her weakened limbs, starts walking her back into the ropes and continuing to bury her right hand deep into her paunch. Kelly groaning in the last few seconds, eyes bulging from her belly beaten like a drum thud thud whump WHAPP, has to be saved by the referee as he finally jumps in between at the bell to separate the two girls, always just when the action’s heating up!

ROUND 6:
Kelly still massaging her abdomen at the bell for the sixth, look of fire and fury in her eyes at having suffered enough. Barbara still confident as she comes forward, once more troubling Kelly with lunging hooks. Rohrbach evading for the first minute, only shooting jabs at Barbie’s direction, with even fewer actually landing. Palvin trying to herd her back into the ropes where she found great success the last time, but Kelly’s too smart for that, managing to scoot left or right just as her back hits the point of no return. This tires Barbaria out incessantly, having to chase her opponent all across the ring and back. Middle mark and neither girl making any headway still… not until Kelly swerves her torso to the right, just narrowly avoiding an uppercut thrown by the Hungarian... Look of horror on Barbara’s face as Kelly primes her own right hand quite nicely, before she TORQUES it into the side of her face with as much force as humanly possible! UHHGGG! Barbara’s head twisting right, and the rest of her body follows suit! She CRASHES to the ground in a dominant KNOCKDOWN for Kelly Rohrbach!

What a punch! Kelly hunched over and breathing hard, and this time, Barbara looks to be in worse shape than her. She’s lying flat on her back, chest rising and falling, her eyes squeezed shut but rest of her body not moving an inch! Referee makes the mandatory 10-count and waves this fight OVER! Barbara’s done!

Official Decision: Kelly Rohrbach defeats Barbara Palvin via KO6!

AFTER:
Kelly still towering over her opponent as she raises a hand into the air, her eyes still fixed on Barbara’s breathing tummy below. A hard stomp into her midsection knocks the remaining wind (and fight) out of the Hungarian princess, eliciting a strangled OUUUMPHH from her lips. Barbara groaning and trying to curl up into a ball, but Kelly planting her foot squarely down into her midsection, not even giving her that amount of comfort. We don’t know who she’s facing in the next round just yet, but judging from the rest of the competition so far, she’s in for a rough road ahead indeed.