Natalia Dyer vs. Vanessa Hudgens

 (Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE:

Tough test for Natalia. Dyer's shown some stuff in her relatively short career, but she's a .500 fighter getting in with, arguably, the flyweight of her generation. That being said, Natalia's not sounding like the stage is too big for her. "Obviously, she's the betting favorite and all that," says Dyer with a smile. "But, here's the thing. All that goes out the window when the bell rings. And, lots of folks are going to be losing money on 'Nessa tonight."

"This girl," says Hudgens with a smirk. "Has no IDEA what's coming. And, she's NOT going to like it. But. I am."

ROUND ONE:

Hudgens on the move, jabbing, circling. She's here, there, and everywhere, giving Dyer a full dose of the Hudgens treatment. But, true to her word, Dyer not at all flustered by any of it. Instead, she's getting the left out, working it, moving her own feet, looking to square the older woman up. It's not easy to do, obviously, but Natalia manages it and, when she does, she gets off in combination, scoring well with both hands. 'Nessa, meanwhile, is in full hit-and-run mode, bouncing around, stopping for quick, effective pops, and then getting right back on her toes. Both fighters have their moments, but neither is able to take any sort of control of the proceedings. Result is a good, two-way round that, when the bell rings, is plenty close. 'Nessa grabs the points, however, and pulls into the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Same again. Hudgens moving and Dyer patient, moving the feet, working the left hand, showing a ton of skill in her efforts to square up 'Nessa, and, when she does, the younger woman gets off quickly and accurately. For Hudgens' part, she's effective on the move as always, hard to find with perfect timing, knowing exactly when top stop and pop and how to get the maximum effect from those short bursts of offense. It's back and forth like that the whole way, and it's all impressive stuff from Dyer, who, again, is a .500 fighter squaring off with a Hall of Famer. Late in the round, there's virtually nothing in it, and that's when Natalia gets aggressive, stepping to and landing a pair of hard flurries that play. When the bell rings, Dyer's claimed the points narrowly and evened things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Another good, two-way round, as Dyer continues to impress. This is the kind of performance, staying right with a top-level fly like Hudgens, that can turn more than a few heads...if Natalia can maintain it. For the moment, though, she looks to be every bit the former champ's equal, for, while Vanessa has those 'Nessa moments, the wide ranging around the ring and the quick stops for the devastating flurries, Natalia, with the skilled left hand and the good footwork, is able to offset much of that, as she gets to her own spots and lands good, accurate leather of her own before 'Nessa can extricate herself from the situation. Back and forth they go from the opening seconds to the final bell, and, when it rings, it's very, very close for the third round in a row, but, it's 'Nessa who goes back into the lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Natalia more aggressive now. Still very sound, but she's not just looking to match footwork and line up the older woman now. Now, Dyer wants to cut the ring, create longer exchanges. And, she's able to do it...to great effect. Oh, 'Nessa scores in these skirmishes, but not as much as Natalia does. Dyer's not only getting off first, she's landing more and harder leather, extending the battles even as Hudgens tries to slip away and get back to open canvas. By the final minute, Dyer has taken control of the fight, the first time either fighter has managed to do so. 'Nessa's never hurt, but she's getting touched up in a major way. When the bell finally rings, it's been a confidence-boosting stanza for Dyer, who's managed to take Hudgens out of her game and claim the points wide to even things again, this time at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Dyer still in control. 'Nessa's having moments in the open, when she's free to roam and then stop for flurries, but, more often, Natalia is cutting the ring, stepping in behind that jab, taking the fight to the older woman. And, when she is, Dyer gets the best of the exchanges. Not most of the time, EVERY time. Until. She doesn't. BOOM! Right hand, Vanessa and Natalia is HURT! Dyer wobbles, covers up and Hudgens opens up with every artillery piece she can get ranged in, backing the younger woman toward the ropes and then DROPPING her with a left-right to the head. Dyer crashes to her back, bouncing once before coming to rest as 'Nessa bounces nonchalantly away. Ref counts down on Natalia, but it's a formality. Younger brunette is both down and OUT and it's OVER. And your winner by KO5 is Vanessa Hudgens!

AFTER:

'Nessa dismissive of her rival in the post-fight. "Yeah, I carried her a little," Hudgens says with a smile. "I mean, this is pay-per-view, right? I can't come out here and demolish them all in a round or two. Got to give the fans their money's worth and get some work in. So, that's what I did and that's what the best flyweights do.   I mean, look at Avril over there, bragging about beating somebody like fifteen years younger than her.   That just makes her old and there is nothing sadder than an old punk rock b*tch.   Because while she might be able to beat a King, there is no way in hell she is beating a Queen.  I'm the f*cking fittest flyweight and over-the-hill Avril is the f*cking flabbiest flyweight.  We all saw the difference here tonight, right?"