Adrianne Palicki versus Gemma Arterton

BEFORE:

Plenty of mutual respect between two former lightweight champions. "She's as good as it gets in this division," says Gemma with a nod. "She's athletic. She's smart. She's skilled. And she hits like a truck. Add in that length, and she's about as big a challenge as it gets. But. I'm up for it."

"No doubt," says Adrianne, "That Gemma has all the tools. You don't put together a record like she has without the full box. So, this isn't going to be any walk in the park. But, I AM going to find a way to win."

ROUND ONE:

Da Palick creates lots of problems for any fighter, and one of the biggest is dealing with that LENGTH. Because, Adrianne isn't just tall, she's LONG. And, you know, Chin Checker. So. It's not like it's only jabs you have to be worried about. But, Arterton's been around a while. She's given up some reach before. And, she knows how to deal with that, knows how to work past the jab and get to...BOOM! Chin. Checked. DOWN GOES GEMMA! Palicki lands that long right hand and Arterton's blown to her back! Place going nuts as Palicki heads to a neutral corner. And it's looking like being over that quickly until Gems stirs at six. Brit able to beat the count, but barely. And, the ref gives her a looong look during the mandatory before deciding to waive Adrianne forward. Palicki all precise power, thumping Gems backward, looking to end this thing. Blonde eventually traps the brunette on the ropes and lets her have it with both barrels. But, Arterton hangs on to the bell. When it rings, it's Palicki 10-8.

ROUND TWO:

Adrianne in control early. Gems on wobbly legs. And, that allows Palicki to have her way. She's got the brunette in reverse and she's keeping her there with nice combinations. Adrianne putting punches together like the champion she is, landing a ridiculously high percentage of the output. Arterton keeping the hands high, willing to trade space for time to get those legs back under her. Palicki forcing the issue, but not getting sloppy, limiting Gems' opportunities to counter. Arterton firing back here and there, but usually off the back foot and rarely to much effect. Instead, it's the blonde in control from the first second to the last, building up points and piling up hurt. The only thing Adrianne can't do is finish. But. At the bell, she's grabbed the round wide and leads 20-17 after two.

ROUND THREE:

Palicki again forward early, but now Arterton's able to firm her front, hold canvas, bang back. Adrianne doesn't continue pressing, mindful of the Brit's considerable sock. Instead. She sets up at range and gets to gunnery platform stuff. And, Gems is willing to play on this field. With the legs back under her, the Brit angles forward, gets to spots where she can get off, and is able to sustain offense for the first time in the fight. Result is a good back-and-forth round that sees both fighters have moments, but neither able to gain any control. Instead, the round remains close and the issue remains in doubt throughout. Final thirty seconds see several sharp exchanges in which both fighters land hard shot. When the bell rings, it's very, very close, but Arterton's done enough to claim the points and cut Adrianne's lead to 29-27.

ROUND FOUR:

Gems finding the range now. Arterton looking comfortable for the first time all night. She's getting the angles down, and, thus, getting the distance she wants, inside Palicki's long left, but still at range. Result is that Arterton begins to take control, again, for the first time all night. Adrianne isn't hurt, mind. And, she's scoring at times herself. But, from the beginning of the round, it's Gems fighting lead and doing more. And, as the round goes on, she's exerting more and more control over the proceedings. Palicki makes some small adjustments as we go, but none are very effective and the British brunette simply goes about building up her lead. Final seconds see the best punch of the round, a SOLID right hand from Gemma, and it punctuates an excellent round for Arterton, who takes it wide and moves to within a single point, 38-37.

ROUND FIVE:

Gems again with the edge early, but now Palicki has some answers for these geometric questions. Adrianne's giving a little ground here, turning a little there, doing whatever she needs to to reestablish the range she wants. And, she's mostly able to do that. Mostly. At times, it's Gems getting to her spots, and, in those moments, Arterton's getting the better of the play, landing in combination to the head and even digging a little body. Mostly, though, Palicki's at gunnery range, and, when the blonde beauty is there, she's able to use all that length and skill to land punches in bunches and pile up points. Issue remains in doubt until the final minute, when Palicki begins to pull away. At the bell, it's Adrianne who's taken the points and pushed her lead back to two points, 48-46 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Palicki beginning to get in rhythm at range. She's got the jab working and she's dropping right hands off it. Arterton trying to slip inside those defenses, but not able to get it done. Instead, Adrianne beginning to establish firm control of the proceedings, even beginning to back Arterton up as we move to the middle of the round. BOOM! Right-hand, Gemma! And DOWN GOES ADRIANNE! Palicki caught stepping in with a BLISTERING right and the blonde crumples to her right side. Arterton quickly to a neutral corner to watch and wait as Palicki pushes up to elbow and haunch, then gets to hands and knees and pushes to her feet...only to crumple back to the canvas! Adrianne face down on the mat as the count passes her by! It's OVER! And the winner by KO6 is Gemma Arterton!

AFTER:

More respect in the post-fight from Gemma. "I've been in a LOT of fights in the FCBA, and I don't think I've ever been in with a harder hitter. She can put you down with any punch at any time. Just a nightmare to fight. But, these are the kinds of challenges I like. And, like I said, I was up for it."