2. Katheryn Winnick vs. Rashida Jones

Katheryn Winnick
(43, 5’4, 120 lbs, 28:14 FCBA, The Dollhouse)
Vs.
Rashida Jones
(45, 5’4, 117 lbs, 3:0 FCBA, Free Agent)

Results: Lookout!; Story: Caspian & The Dollhouse

BEFORE:
Three-in-a-row now and the pressure is surely mounting for Winnick, as she walked into the press room earlier with a short wave and smile. The blonde has faced a slew of tough opponents at the tail end of 2020, and she enters this new year hoping to finally break her losing streak against the stuff of Bellisario, Williams, and yes, the current Bantamweight champion, Naomi Scott.

"Guess I'm back on the grind! My results lately have been undeniably...BAD!” the Doll says first from the press table, laughing uncomfortably. “I could make excuses about the quality and age of the opponents I've been facing...but to me that's not an excuse. I should have been able to beat these women and I still plan to in the future. Tonight though, I'm actually YOUNGER than my opponent, imagine that.” The blonde laughs. “But…Rashida’s been tearing through the competition and she's still undefeated. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me. Well, Rashida, tonight that's about to change. I REALLY need a win and I'm getting it tonight. I’m sorry it has to be you, but it’s kinda your fault for agreeing to fight me." Winnick ends with a wink towards Jones who’s sitting at the other side of the conference table.

Hard truths there, but kudos to the 43-year-old for keeping the fire going. She certainly doesn’t need to continue her boxing endeavor, but here she is, still trying to claw her way to the top of a Bantamweight division choke full of young talent. Her opponent tonight is the lovely, funny and iconic Rashida Jones. She recently signed for The Comediennes but then had to endure their rapid collapse within just a year of opening. Still, the 45-year-old has achieved an impressive 3-0 win streak during her time there, and from the looks of it, is hoping to continue adding to the number of victims.

“I wish Winnick the best of luck tonight, of course. We’re both actresses who are hungry for more, and are still able to kick some ass at our age. I started my boxing career off with a bang, and plan to continue my win-streak, management or not management. Winnick has had more experience in the ring, but I’d say I definitely have the edge tonight in terms of confidence. It’s gonna hurt in there Kat, hope you’re ready. May the best woman win!”

Ladies actually shake hands at the podium, before offering each other more well-wishes for the fight ahead. Hours later, Rashida is the first to enter the Dollhouse arena, flexing her shoulders and loosening her arms whilst dressed in a maroon sports bra and sand-paper coloured tights. She holds up a pair of red gloves as the cheers echo around the arena. Winnick on home-soil advantage as she strides out of the curtains, not smiling wide but instead, looking entirely focused on the fight at hand. The Doll’s dressed in a white and black sports bra and long tights, this first fight of 2021 a litmus test for her future in the ring.

In the ring itself, the referee preps both corners as Jones and Winnick square off in the center: same height for both women but Winnick coming in with a slightly bulkier frame - she’s blasted her way past past opponents before, like Lovato and McCarthy, so it’ll be interesting to see how Rashida counters her opponent’s strengths.

One way to find out! Ref signals for the bell and HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Bantamweight action!

ROUND 1:
Ladies move fast and nimble for their age - Rashida and Kat don’t rush in like some of their younger counterparts - instead, they circle each other calmly, assuredly, arms up and feet constantly blurring over each other, looking for holes in their defences. Winnick throws some crisp jabs early but they either miss or hit the guard, with Rashida laser-focused too and consciously keeping a safe distance from the blonde’s power. Smart strategy for the former Comediennes starlet as Jones plays it cool for the first minute, then bounces in for a nice and fast stinging right hand to Kat’s face, another blow landed on the nose as the brunette shows off her speed in comparison to the Doll. Katheryn surprised by these multiple jabs landing all over, and all her attempts at return fire are not bearing fruit. Foreboding news indeed if the rest of the fight is going in this direction, but the Doll chooses to refocus herself early, locking arms over her face and then countering Rashida’s speed with a solid, absorbing defence. End of the round and Winnick barely manages to scare off her attacker this time, with some solid counter-combos bashed into Rashida’s arms and body, but overall, it’s not the best round for a Doll looking to stake her comeback.

ROUND 2:
More caution in the wind as the sound of the bell means both ladies take tentative steps forward, pawing at each other’s head in the opening seconds before Rashida starts the ball rolling with crisp combos bashed into the arms. Kat grunting, weathering the assault early, trying to get a clean shot across Rashida’s bow to show her who’s boss. But the rest of the first minute sees her still beaten backwards, her return combos easily dodged by the nimble Jones, who’s moving twenty years younger. Mid-round, however, Kat finally scores lucky, a left feint to the brunette’s body is narrowly avoided but then, a follow-up SWING right slams into Rashida’s ear, landing with a THUMP and groan from the comedian’s lips! Rashida got a taste of the blonde’s power first-hand, quickly scrambles to cover up and make herself lost, as Winnick suddenly takes control of the round! Dollhouse blonde marching in, hoping to mop up, but we can’t discount that Rashida took much of the earlier round too. Even as Winnick continues headhunting her with jab combos to the bell, which throw her head back with a final one-two to the nostrils, it’s still an effective draw by the time the bell rings.

ROUND 3:
Jones, however, looks far more worried as the bell rings for the third - she got rattled in the last minute last round and is looking a hella lot more shaky as she comes forth this time. Winnick willing to exploit, literally making a beeline to her foe as the bell rings, and immediately STARTS SWINGING away! The plan’s to overwhelm Jones hard and fast, and it seems to be working! Rashida’s thrown into disarray as she covers up desperately from hooks thrown into her arms, body, chest taking a beaten left and right as her attempts to get away are DE-NIED, with Winnick controlling the smaller girl expertly with constant aggression! This here’s a side of Kat we haven’t seen before, but it just goes to show how confident the new blonde is feeling as she marches Rashida clean into the ropes, before THROWING a final hook across her face! DOWN SHE GOES! Jones lets out a painful grunt as she’s completely overwhelmed by the Doll’s sudden offensive, getting sent down onto her side with her eyelids fluttering in the wind! Winnick still huffing and puffing above her, not immune to exhaustion but still delighted at the results - the referee herds her away to quickly begin the count, but Jones is still left writhing by the ropes, trying to pull herself up with the rest of her aching body not cooperating! The ref hits the count of 10 and declares this fight OVER!

Official Decision: Katheryn Winnick defeats Rashida Jones via KO3!

AFTER:
Flood of relief on Winnick’s face as she breaks another losing streak in an already illustrious career. This girl just refuses to quit! Winnick raises a hand to the crowds, marching to all four corners of the ring as she takes in the fruits of her labour. Hopefully, this win is an important milestone for the blonde, going forward. No one has put in as much work into the division, in our humble opinion.

Rashida slowly recovers by the ropes, sitting back up and nodding to the referee that she’s okay. Just a little banged up, we hope, but at the same time, can’t deny the effect of losing one’s stable on one’s chances of winning in the ring. Winnick comes over moments later, kneeling beside Jones and exchanging some pleasantries face-to-face. Jones for the most part nodding back, smiling, wishing her former foe the best of luck going forward.

A proud win for a proud Doll tonight, with Winnick later waltzing down the steps of the ring, still smiling and waving to her fans. Later, she’s stopped by reporters ringside, who ask her to explain her current state-of-mind.
“Winning feels great. I’m glad I was able to execute well tonight. Rashida is tough and deserves all my respect, but she still has quite a bit to learn in there. I wish her the best and maybe we’ll meet again in the future. I’ll take her on any time. Now I have Dormer on my mind, I need to put that woman down. And I will. Hope to see you all there at the end of the month!”
And with that, Katheryn makes her way to her dressing room backstage, happily signing some autographs along the way. It will be interesting to see if she can avenge her early career loss to the dangerous Natalie Dormer (who’s already 2-0 for the year!) at the end of this month. We will of course be there to cover that showdown in full force. And now….to our next fight of the evening. Stay tuned!