Adrianne Palicki versus Kate Upton (Welterweight Title)
(Words & Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE: Is there a bigger match-up right now in the welterweight division? Adrianne holding not one, but TWO titles in the FCBA, with Kate also the iconic Queen of the Ice Hotel right now - though only one title is up today. That would be one of the most prized titles in the league - the welterweight title - with both fighters eager to take it home with them tonight. Adrianne has staked her claim to be one of the best in the FCBA with winning the welterweight title twice last year against tough competition, then adding the lightweight title to start off 2021 in grand fashion. Having successfully defended the lightweight title earlier this month against a very tough competitor, she looks to do the same tonight against a fellow champion. Kate has also taken down some of the best in the FCBA recently, but has not successfully claimed the welterweight title in several years. It’s been a long trip back to the top of the welterweight mountain, but Palicki looks to retain both the title and her top atop the precarious precipice tonight.

Fans and the press expect a tough war between two of the hardest hitting welters in the division tonight, with both girls shoving and chesting up against one another. Referee having a job of work to keep them apart, but finally, he manages to separate them and order them to opposite sides as they glare at one another. Both Adrianne and Kate looking phenomenal tonight, with Adrianne wearing a golden sports bra and shorts, with matching gloves and hair in a loose ponytail. Adrianne coming in holding BOTH title belts, showing them off as Kate is forced to pout, but still looking amazing in a purple sports bra and shorts combination with matching gloves and hair in a fighting ponytail. The ref has to keep Kate from lunging at Adrianne again, but finally, the bell rings and the two of them are able to go after one another for the title...

R1: Little thing, but it’s important: Adrianne dances into Kate, extending knuckles lightly to Upton’s shoulders to influence the blonde off midring - Kate dancing back, setting up in the perimeter. it’s Adrianne taking charge, bring the boss, dedicating terms. From there., Palicki’s left hand at her thigh, right loose at her chest, legs stepping smartly, decisively as she systematically attacks Kate from the outside. Hissing lead right hand to Kate’s midriff - Adrianne jumping ‘em in, bending low, bounding back out with a scything, rising left hook, confident walk to the right, eyes blazing, Upton getting scuffed up, late on the receipts - she’s touched up for points in the first.

R2: Blonde regains some composure, snapping the jab off her hip, weight on her front foot - she’s finally able to direct Adrianne to a certain extent. Kate’s jab too crisp to be slipped - Palicki can’t get into that quick-mitted pot-shot routine this round. Adrianne content to lope around the perimeter, keeping her distance - Kate leaning into long rights but can’t find the mark - takes her first round as the aggressor however.

R3: Return to form for Adrianne - darting, slashing attacks, in and out, walk-abouts to the right with smoldering eyes, left hand low, right hand dangerous at the chest. Palicki very smart - she’s not really setting down on punches - everything’s lightning quick and slashing, meant to score rather than hurt. When she carries in close, Adrianne able to palm up and push Upton off, crowd her or turn her - it’s muscular stuff. Upton taking blows well, but unable to get her timing down - Adrianne’s rhythm taking advantage of Kate’s brawny delivery - blonde just can’t find the mark as Palicki takes it close again.

R4: Adrianne’s having fun, hands down as she leans forward, swaying her torso to weave Kate’s punches, then slashing, snatching back at blonde breasts, ribs and chin with scorching receipts. Upton scowling, face puffy from leather - she’s getting beaten to punches, backed up, countered to the wit and body - blonde just can’t get comfortable. Palicki’s legs really dictating terms - she’s stepping snappy around her girl, getting her angles, leading with right hands, mopping up hooks - she takes her 4th straight round, chests up at the bell and really lets Kate hear it.

R5: Adrianne spent a lot of energy over the first half, not just fighting, hut with the posing, the hooting, the celebrations - it’s catching up to her. Upton cutting off the ring and getting leather on Palicki with some authority - right hands aren’t landing flush but they’re moving Palicki to the ropes. Kate able to turn on some licking hooks against the flank and belly - getting Palicki to bend forward, butt in ropes at times. Upton punching, pushing Adrianne’s shoulders to reset - both girls standing up and trading heavy as Palicki is stationary for the first time in the fight.

R6: Kate visibly flustered - she’s trying to get the jab on Palicki, but leaving it out there too long - Adrianne able to dart past it, counter-hook the abdomen, come over the top of it with slicing rights. Upton leaning onto her back foot, getting hit, getting moved off her supportive ankle - she’s got no traction, no rhythm. Palicki timing her foe perfectly as she slams in a HARD right hook to drive Kate down to the canvas with a loud BOOM!! Kate back up at 8, but Palicki getting her points in ones and twos, staying well away when not working, getting hooks on the body off those long overhand rights - she takes another round from a flustered blonde. At the bell, Palicki is feeling it: she drops her hands rigid to both sides, puts her head back while goose-stepping forward and screeches “WOOO!” to the rafters, taking this one wide and gaining momentum with the knockdown.

R7: Upton stalking Adrianne to the corners, easing in close behind the extended left she rides in under Palicki’s right arm, then getting powerful on the inside. Not really Kate’s fight, but not Adrianne’s either - both women lashing away on each other and taking a lot of punishment. Adrianne getting the better of it, using extended left elbows to nudge up on and measure Kate - Upton taking clean, swiping strokes across her face and ribcage at the ropes.

R8: Shutout Kate! Kate coming back with a fury as Adrianne is left staring dumbfounded into lead right hands, hooks, hard jabs - Adrianne with hands at her chest seems paralyzed, indecisive, completely shocked at this point. Kate is just too quick - able to step and snatch lead right hands against the body, stay low, come up with the delay hook on her way out - she’s just catching Adrianne at will. Constant taunting from Upton as she leans forward, chin out, hands down, bobbing and weaving against tentative Palicki office. After the bell, it’s Kate’s turn to chest up and bully Palicki back, getting right into her foe’s face. Adrianne is dazed and furious as she slumps in her corner, with the ref finally pulling Kate backwards after a final collision of their cleavage.

R9: Adrianne getting a second wind, gets a few shooting lead rights to the body and regains her distance in the first minute. Upton concentrating, sliding her right foot back, rocking onto her front heel to fade Adrianne’s rushes, trying to swat-cuff the counter-hook and pivot left around it. Intricate timing between the two - Kate the cobra, Adrianne the mongoose. Adrianne in charge to the dying moments when she jumps from too far out - Upton able to lean back to escape Adrianne’s right, counters almost immediately with the supple right uppercut off the back foot and PALICKI IS HURT! Adrianne stagger-stepping to her right, legs crazy-hurt, weight forward and back over her feet. Upton jabbing the forehead to drive Adrianne ropeside, steps and BENDS into a crashing right hand on the chin - ADRIANNE’S OUT! Palicki cold-cocked up against the ropes, all limp - Upton bent double, right shoulder carrying into Adrianne and propping her up momentarily. Kate stepping away, allowing Adrianne’s body to slough off her back and pool to the canvas - devastating KO9 Kate Upton as Kate is the NEW WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION!!

AFTER: Kate is awarded the welterweight title as she snatches it to her famous chest, falling to her knees as she fights back tears, finally getting to the top of the division once again. Biting her bottom lip as she is on her knees while Adrianne tries to rise up in the corner. However, the fans are on their feet before either fighter can be, cheering loudly as this clash definitely lived up to the hype. There are sporadic chants for “FOTY”, though this year is too early to stake any kind of claim to that title. But, there are far more chants for both fighters - with both Adrianne and Kate receiving significant and well-deserved praise for a huge battle between them. However, the chants reach a new decibel level as Kate hands the title belt to the referee for safekeeping while she saunters over towards Adrianne, who is almost to her feet but Kate roughly SHOVES her back into the turnbuckle.

Adrianne is blinking, holding onto the top turnbuckle, chest rising and falling as she tries to catch her breathe and recover from the wild war that the two had just engaged in. But, that is something Kate has no intention of letting her do as she takes a few steps backwards as the crowd is shouting wildly now, knowing exactly what’s about to happen. So does Adrianne, but she can’t seem to summon the strength in her limbs to move out of the way before Kate lunges forward, charging the short distance across the canvas to leap up into the air for a ring-shaking SPLASH! Kate bringing down all of her weight to smash into Palicki with a crash that can be heard even over the jubilant roar of the crowd as Kate leans forward, momentarily thrusting her chest forward to make Adrianne take the weight and then leans back. Hopping back with a grin as she lets Palicki pitch forward, toppling to the canvas as Kate snatches back the title belt and plants one foot across the small of Palicki’s glistening back to pose over her. Thrusting her chest out triumphantly as she holds the title belt up with one hand as the other hand points up into the sky with her index finger making the gesture that she is number one. Kate hops off of Palicki as she mounts the turnbuckle, thumping her chest with one hand and bellowing with excitement while she brandishes the title with her other hand.

It’s a huge moment for Upton, unfortunately at Palicki’s expense, who no longer has to concern herself with defending two titles. Palicki will still have the opportunity to defend the lightweight title next month, but for now, must slide out of the ring in defeat, accompanied by the support of her stable. Kate beaming confidently, addressing the press as she is offered a bottle of water, taking a deep drink and catching her breathe before speaking, “What the f*ck did I tell you? I’m the Queen of the FCBA - not just with the ice hotel, but I’ve worked my ass off to get back to the welterweight title. I know a lot of people haven’t taken me seriously, but now, they don’t have a choice. I’ve been on top of the Pound for Pound rankings for a while now, but now there isn’t a d*mn question. I’m the best pound for pound fighter in the whole FCBA and the Queen, so if anybody wants to take a shot, they know what they’re up against. I am going to RULE this division.” as Kate then struts off after that declaration, taking in the adulation of the crowd as they chant her name and the welterweight title along with her. Pumping one fist into the air as she saunters out of the arena, with some clever sound technician playing “Don’t You Forget About Me.” as she walks off and honestly, nobody in the FCBA will be able to for some time to come.