Lily Aldridge vs. Adriana Lima

(Lioness Club vs Odds & Ends Fight Studio)

Results: Lookout!; Story: Front Street

BEFORE:

Yes, these two have met before. And, no, it didn't go well for Lily, but she's not sweating it. "Yeah, she beat me the first time," the American says with a smile. "But, here's what everyone forgets. I was just starting my FCBA career then and she was already a veteran. Well. I have experience now, and that will make the difference."

"Lily's right about one thing," Adriana says with a smile. "She has more experience now. That, however, will NOT make a difference."

ROUND ONE:

Adriana wants to set up at range and get her box on. Lily's not having it, though. She's moving. Not dancing. Not circling. Just...moving, sending sand flying, and making things hard on her rival. And it works brilliantly. She's not letting Lima get the jab on, establish the range. Instead, she's angling, bouncing, slipping, dipping, getting to her spots and getting off. While the older woman's having problems getting anything done offensively. And, as the round goes on, it gets even WORSE for Lima as Aldridge gets into a rhythm. She's scoring well in quick flurries, then slipping away before Lima can get anything done. Final thirty sees Lily ranging the ring, running clock. She knows she has the points, and she's not taking any chances with them, simply legging to the bell. When it rings, it's Aldridge wide and up 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

More legging from Lily. And, she's really getting everything going now. Lima just can't find the younger woman. And, glances are starting to be exchanged at ringside. Is Adriana too slow? Has she lost something? That's looking like a legitimate question as Aldridge makes her LOOK slow. Lily's just a little too quick both on offense and defense, beating Adriana to the punch over and over again and slipping rejoinders again and again. If Lima's frustrated, she's not showing it. Instead, she continues working hard, trying to get the geometry down, trying to get something going. But, it's not happening. She lands a shot here and there, but that's about all she can manage to the bell. When it rings, Aldridge has grabbed the points wide again to take a 20-18 advantage.

ROUND THREE:

Lima starting to figure some things out. Brazilian realizes she's got to cut the ring down rather than try gun platform stuff, so she starts doing it. And, those glances aren't being exchanged at ringside anymore. THIS looks like Adriana Lima. Now she's getting the jab on, slowing the American with it, following on with hard right hands. But, despite the improvement in situation for Adriana, Lily's still holding her own, firing back with accurate flurries, giving as good as she gets. This is good stuff from the American, boxing with the former champion and doing it on, basically, even terms, and, that's exactly what she's able to do for the entirety of the third round. When the bell eventually rings, Lima's finally on the board, but it's razor's edge close and Lily's still up 29-28 on the cards.

ROUND FOUR:

Ranged boxing now. Lima doesn't have to cut the ring, because Lily's no longer trying to range all over the beach. Instead, she's boxing with, and, again, doing a good job. Ladies turning at center ring, sand being kicked up by the bare feet as tactics begin to rule. For Adriana, it's about the left. If she can get that on, good things follow. And, she's doing that some. But, there are other times that Lily can slip. And, when she does that, she gets to spots where she can get off in combination, scoring well with both hands. And, so it goes. Back and forth in a very good two-way round that no one can gain an edge in. Final thirty sees both fighters turn up the heat in an effort to steal the points, and, while there's still not much in it, Lily does just enough to grab them and extend her lead to 39-37.

ROUND FIVE:

More two-way stuff. Ladies have settled into a pattern now of ranged boxing. Adriana's reach plays when she can get the jab on and work off it. When she can't, it's Lily's movement and angling that rule the day. And, this is one of those situations where both fighters get SOME, but not enough of what they want. Result is yet another nip and tuck round, with neither fighter able to create any kind of an advantage. Again, the ladies figure on stealing things late, turning up the heat in the final half minute, letting the hands go in an effort to get those points. Just before the bell. BOOM! A straight right hand by Lima that shakes Lily! Aldridge wobbles, but before Adriana can take advantage, the bell rings and the referee leaps between the fighters. It's Lima's round, close, but Lily still leads 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Aldridge looking a little buzzed as we start the sixth, and Adriana doesn't need an engraved invitation. The Brazilian starts coming forward behind the left, backing Lily across the sand. Aldridge not able to stay off square, and the result is not a good one for the American. She's getting PASTED with hard right hands from the former champion, who's now in complete command of these proceedings as Lily can't hold...um...sand. BOOM! Straight right, Adriana! Lily staggers...AND GOES DOWN! Aldridge flat on her back in the sand and Lima stomps to a neutral corner to watch and wait. American staring up as the ref counts down at her. She rolls to her belly at six, tries to push to hands and knees, but crumples back into the sand and it's OVER! And your winner by KO6 is Adriana Lima!

AFTER:

Adriana all smiles as her seconds use the ringside shower nozzle to clean some of the sand off her long legs. "There's no question," says the Brazilian, "That this is a much-improved Lily Aldridge we all saw tonight. But, no matter how much she improves, when it comes to a fight, she's always coming off second best to ME."