Posted 9/30/16,   4:46 PM

Lea Seydoux vs. Anna Silk
(Words: FS / Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE:

Seydoux comes in red hot, having won four in a row, including bantam contender Dobrev and former champ Munn. Former champ Silk, meanwhile, hasn't won since losing her title to Allison Mack nearly a year ago, and, at age 42, tongues have begun to wag about whether or not it's time for the rugged Canadian to hang 'em up. But, Lea isn't buying any of that "Silk may be past it" talk. "She's a champion," says the French beauty. "But, I've beaten champions before. And, tonight, I'll do it again.

Silk, meanwhile, definitely not buying the "Silk may be past it" talk. "Yes, I've lost three in a row, but they aren't exactly to tomato cans," the brunette beauty says. "I'm not Pressly or Alba. I'm not shot. And, tonight, I'll prove it."

ROUND ONE:

No question the styles will contrast tonight. Lea's shown that she can work from the outside or she can come forward and crowd you. Anna, though, is all about coming forward to bang. And bang. And bang. And bang. And, so it is that Lea chooses to play the outside game. And, the French beauty plays it well. She has a bit of reach on Silk. Not much. But a bit. And, she's got eleven years on Silk, too. And, a bit of quickness and athleticism. Three of those four are on display in the first, because Lea makes Anna stalk. Seydoux doesn't box at range. She moves. And sticks. And sticks. And moves. She's all over the lot in this round, forcing Silk to work hard to close. Anna does the work, but she's rarely able to close. Lea doesn't get a ton done on offense, but she does enough, because Silk's able to do so little. At the bell, it's Seydoux close, grabbing the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Anna a bit more aggressive this stanza and it pays off. Silk finding ways to cut the ring and bring the blonde to battle. Seydoux holding her own in those situations, because, as she's shown before, she can punch. But. There aren't many bantams who are going to get the better of Anna Silk in a fire fight, and Seydoux isn't one of those few. She gets forced back, forced to cover up, thrown onto the defensive. But, the blonde doesn't stay in those trenches long. She gets back to open canvas quickly, again forcing Anna to work hard to close and create the terms Silk wants. It's not quite cat and mouse, more like cat and bigger cat, but the tactical nature of things is apparent to even the casual observer. And, it's all about who gets more of what she wants. This time, it's the Canadian who pulls the trick and grabs the points as a result. And, after two, it's even at 19.

ROUND THREE: 

Silk still forward aggressively, but Lea managing better now. The French beauty moving well, showing plenty of leg...and, plenty for other bantams to think about. That's the thing about video. There are some things you DON'T want on there. And, other things that you DO. You don't want weaknesses exposed. You DO want strengths demonstrated. And Lea's demonstrating one now. An ability to work various styles very well against top opponents. Silk, meanwhile, sticking with the script. She's working hard to close, and, when she gets that done, getting heavy leather on target. She's definitely getting the blonde's attention with some of the shots, but Lea's not hurt, still moving well, still scoring when she does. It's another close round, as, again, neither fighter gets all of what she wants, but, it's Seydoux who grabs the points and the 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

More cat and bigger cat as Seydoux leads Silk a merry chase. Lea very smooth, very quick, stopping to pop, then getting back on her horse. Silk working smartly, cutting the ring every chance she gets and missing no opportunity to get heavy leather on target in those situations. Lea again getting the better of things, but only by a smallish margin. Then, everything changes. A BOOMING right hook from Silk is the culprit. She staggers Seydoux, nearly sending her to the mat, and then begins the work of shelling the wobbly blonde into submission. Lea a sitting target now, getting roughed up, backed up, battered. The French beauty driven to the ropes and hammered with flurry after flurry of heavy leather. She's hanging on desperately, but it seems like just a matter of time before Silk seals the deal. The bell arrives first, however, saving the Frenchwoman from further punishment. It's Anna wide. And we're even at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

One though on Silk's mind now. "Finish". And, like almost all champions, Anna Silk is a finisher. The Canadian is after the Frenchwoman from the opening seconds, letting the leather go, backing her up, forcing her onto the defensive. Seydoux covering up, working the counter in spots, but mostly getting the worst of things despite her best efforts. Silk controlled. Nothing sloppy about any of this. Instead, it's sustained, accurate fire with a purpose, and that purpose is to finish the reduction of Lea Seydoux. The blonde, for her part, plenty game. She's hanging in the best she can, exacting as much of a price as possible for the brunette's offensive. But, again, coming off second best in every exchange. Except, that is, for one. That one takes place with about thirty seconds left in the round, and the final punch of same is a short right hook that lands right on Anna's chin and DOWN GOES SILK! Anna drops like a rock at Lea's feet, with the blonde skipping away to avoid the falling brunette. Anna's face down and unmoving as the count begins, but the Canadian won't quit. She pushes to hands and knees...but can get no further. It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 in one-punch fashion is Lea Seydoux!

AFTER:
Seydoux all smiles. Another huge win for the blonde, who's eliminated whatever doubts remain that what she says is true. "Another former champion and another win for me. And, more proof that I'm a contender for the Unified Bantamweight Title. I'm here waiting. And, I'm not going away."