4. Nina Agdal versus Kelly Rohrbach (Lightweight)

Nina:
(25, 5’9, 121, 12:4 FCBA, VIXENs)


Kelly:
(27, 5’9, 125, 11:4 FCBA, VIXENs)


BEFORE:
Girls doing their best to remain civil in this confrontation but both know deep down that they’re competing for the same crown. They do their best to upstage each other as they emerge from backstage, Kelly rocking a bright red two-piece bikini similar to the outfit which reignited the Baywatch fever months ago, whilst Nina going for an amber-coloured outfit, that matches her sun-kissed skin, extending two red gloves to greet the cheers.

That of course doesn't stop Kelly from sneering at her opponent as she watches Nina strut her stuff out on the catwalk. This here’s an exhibition match meant to showcase what the stable can do, but both women also have reason to take it personally, both having been beaten recently by the notorious Brooklyn Decker, cutting through the VIX stable like a hornet having its way with a beehive. 

Little to say between both blondes and little else to be said as both of them face off on podium: they’re almost identical in height and weight so this is gonna be an interesting slugfest to determine new pecking order in the Lightweight locker room. There’s at least a light tap of gloves when the referee orders them to do so. Stay civil girls, cos here we go with the bell!

ROUND 1:
Girls still with overconfident smirks as they come forward to meet at the bell. Kelly in particular gesturing with one glove for Nina to come get her, is partially shocked when Nina unleashes first left overhand punch… straight into her cheek! Ugh! Arrogance wiped off her face right there! But Kelly answers right back with a left straight to the nose and Nina is the one who’s stunned on the spot. Enough with the horsing around, both girls seem to agree, and they LAUNCH themselves into each other! Rapid fire exchange of punches as they take turns punishing the chin and cheek, focusing purely on offence and no business for defensive nonsense. Round ends with girls still going at it, right hands mutually firing at same time and landing square on distorted cheeks, mutual grunts as they stumble away back to corners. If these girls keep it up like this, they won't make it pass the third round!

ROUND 2:
Indeed, first signs of wear and tear manifest in opening minute as girls again go back to mutual destruction, but Nina leaves herself open to a third consecutive right hand straight into her face, Kelly pumping punches into the nose and mouth hard and disorienting her badly. She’s forced now to cover up as the crowd cheers on the clear winner of this wild melee: Kelly the one who can take a punch in a blow-for-blow contest as she walks Nina backwards. She tries seizing the advantage now, unrelenting barrage of punches landing on Nina’s guard, then deliberate hard shots into her toned tummy driving the wind from her lungs. Nina now 70% guarding and only 30% defensive jabbing - drastic change here to her earlier strategy. It’s not nearly enough for her to win the round, but at least she manages to prevent a potential knockdown. Round swings in favour of Rocking Rohrbach, who raises a fist high to the crowds when the bell rings, leaving Nina gasping for breath wondering what the hell just happened.

ROUND 3:
Nina unwilling to face facts as she AGAIN charges forward with a deep growl, but gets thrown back with a powerful one-two cross to the middle of her guard. Agdal gasps loudly as feels the weight of Kelly’s swings - if she’s not careful that look of shock on her face might be her last. Kelly showing dominating presence as she again goes to work hounding her fellow blonde about the ring. Nina’s arms getting battered as she tries to weather at first, then her pride gets the better of her as she surges back forward, looking to brawl. Bad move for her… She manages to distract Kelly with a one-two straight combo grazing the face, but Rohrbach already reaching under with a right hand: BLAM into Nina’s toned midsection, like leather hitting rock solid wall. Still, the impact bows her over with a hnngggh, then Kelly, perhaps unsatisfied and jealous of Nina’s fit tummy, pistons fist after fist back in and out with rapid fire action, seriously testing her waistline! Nina can only clinch forward to avoid the fire spreading in her tummy. Still, Kelly shoving her backwards with her hips and elbow, seems intent and fixated on punishing her body. True tummy-jacking action in final moments of this round, Nina’s lips sucking on enemy’s shoulder, her body smouldering and just trying to stay alive. Another less-than-ideal round for the supposed Lightweight contender as Kelly runs her over and back tracks over and over her body.

ROUND 4:
It feels like another of Kelly’s round at the start as she rides a two-round dominant streak. Rohrbach certainly feeling the energy, smiling and slamming her gloves together as the bell rings and she roars “How’s your tummy, Nina??” Agdal slowly circling, cautious, defensive, manages to avoid Kelly for a good minute as the taunting Vixen’s jabs and hooks miss or hit at air. Nina finally adapting to her opponent’s overwhelming power in relation to her own, knows one more hit and she’s as good as floored to the ground. Middle-mark sees a quick one-two jab combo that lands on Kelly’s face, much to her own shock and sudden cheers of Nina’s fans. Could the sultry model be fighting her way back from the dead? Kelly gritting her teeth, damned if she’s gonna let that happen, but the more the round progresses, the more Kelly appears to be slowing down and starts eating more careless jabs to her face. Crowd giving both fighters a loud shout of support when the bell finally rings, but both girls look far from celebratory - both just relieved that the round is over.

ROUND 5:
Whatever Nina’s hopes of a comeback were in the previous round, they’re spoilt immediately when Kelly catches her in the face with a right cross in the early moments of the current one - POW! Everyone shocked at Nina’s complacency there but she could just be getting too weary to function and has to eat the consequences. Nina immediately driven backwards back into ropes, and here comes Kelly as expected, burying both her fists up into her stomach and then a right uppercut CHOPS Danish girl’s head back. Knockout left hook comes sailing in almost on instinct, but Nina cleverly twisting her body to the left to avoid its power… the blow lands but glances off the back of Nina’s head, which takes the brunt of the impact. The rest of her body twists and rotates from the power, and Nina flies down the extent of the rest of the ropes, which gives her her opportunity to escape Kelly’s clutches anyhow. Rest of the round sees Agdal back in turtling mode, scooting out of the way of Kelly’s single-minded zombie charge towards her. Nina getting her ass kicked, is what the locals would call this fight thus far - she simply hasn’t proven to have any advantage over her adversary at this stage and that makes us all worried.

ROUND 6:
Kelly Rohrbach run of steam here - she gives Nina a good thirty seconds of opening time to catch her breath. Bad strategy we feel, as her cornerman Corey Saucier also agrees with, yelling at her to use her reserves and charge Nina. But Rohrbach barely listening, halfheartedly taking a few steps forward and only jabbing lightly at Agdal. Suddenly - WHAM!! Kelly’s face disappears in leather as Nina’s glove rams straight in! What the?! Where did that come from?? Nina energised enough to take a giant leap forward, weaving left and then putting her back into that right cross that rammed in clean! THERE’S the technical fighter we know and love! Rohrbach groaning however as she eats a couple more licks to the lips before covering up and turning serious, but not before a couple more shots pound into her chest and tummy, making her back away in confusion. Nina diligently following but not crazy enough to clinch up with the blonde, instead continues hounding her from afar with vaulted long jab, just picking at Kelly’s weak openings and spots with precision punching. Nina pulling the rug from under Kelly’s feet right here when the bell rings, but we wonder whether it’s due to dumb luck or real skill?

ROUND 7:
Kelly gulping in deep breaths of air, worrying thoughts running through her mind that the tables been turned on her as she covers up and takes tentative steps forward. Nina more confidently coming at her, throwing more combos jab-jab-jab before jumping back to evade evil Kelly counter-hook. Rohrbach getting whittled down here and if she doesn’t do something quick someone’s gonna yell timber! Breakthrough moment comes in the second minute when who knows what happened in a blink of an eye: blur of action as both girls end up crashing into each other in WILD melee of thrashing arms and legs. They’re pushing and shoving gloves into each other’s chest and thrusting fists up into the face and chin, mutual bruising action here accompanied by louder and louder grunts. Kelly the slightly bigger one, trying to push Nina back to ropes again for effect, and it works for a while, until Nina gets an arm under the guard and starts plugging fist into the body: thick, dull shots echoing in the beach air as Nina just spanks the blonde’s underbelly puh puh puh puh puh. Kelly’s legs now wilting , finding herself getting pushed back step by step, but Nina has other plans: last uppercut sails up into the guard, slapping her arms apart and crashing into the chin! KELLY CRUMPLES ON THE SPOT IN DIZZYING KNOCKOUT FASHION!

Nina jumping up and down, already assuming she’s got the win, but referee diligently begins his count by Kelly’s stirring side. The blonde’s lying on her back, dazed for the first few seconds, but then rolls onto her side and slowly begins her climb back up to her feet. A short-lived victory and disappointment all over Agdal’s face as she sees her adversary recovering bit by bit. Nonetheless, it gives Nina the confidence boost she needs to keep going. Kelly’s ego taken a beating on the other hand - never thought she would have gotten taken advantage of in the clinch, but there ya go.

ROUND 8:
Nina digging into her own reserves and comes a runnin’ at Rohrbach, hoping to kick her when she’s down. The Danish model puts some early power into her shots BAM BAM BLAM as they ring out on Kelly’s forearms, driving her backwards. Kelly’s eyes tell everyone she’s suffering from the blows but she takes them in her stride, body getting roughed up by Nina’s hooks but at least manages to protect her head here. She’s being pushed back but confident that Nina can’t keep the assault up forever. And she’s right. After another good thirty seconds she gets her opportunity: WHAM - RIGHT HOOK CRASHES into side of Nina’s cheek in textbook counter-attack, the look of surprise on Agdal’s face too good to pass up as she gasps and blubbers as her face pushed to one side. Nina not giving up her attack though and slaps another one-two-three punches into Kelly’s chest, but not before Kelly SWIVELS her head AGAIN on its shoulders, torquing her body about in a full circle and sending her flying sideways into the ropes, which barely save her from collapsing to the ground. Here comes Kelly to rectify it, however - she pounces on Agdal in an instant and drums both her fists up and into her belly one after the other. Nina getting folded over her fists on the ropes, gawking and gasping, then ANOTHER hook lands clean on her cheek and DOWN SHE GOESSSSS, CRASHING DOWN at the feet of Rohrbach!! Payback KNOCKDOWN for Kelly in the second minute!

Kelly also raising a weary arm in supposed victory as she lingers over Nina’s fallen frame, posing for the cameras as though her win secured. Referee has to shoo her off to neutral corner, giving Nina some ample time to begin pushing herself off the ground. 

3…4… Nina at least has the ropes to help her up, draping her right arm around middle rope helps to lug the rest of her protesting body the rest of the way up.

5…6… Kelly staring cooly from corner, her sultry lips parted and sucking in precious air whilst thinking of all the other ways to put this stubborn girl back down.

7… 8… Nina finally pulls herself back up, straightening up with her back to the ropes. But my gosh - she looks like a wreck, her sweat-gleaned body littered with red patches of bruises-in-waiting. Still, this girl has to survive another minute of abuse as Kelly already in battle stance to charge back into the action.

Referee does his job however and waves to continue, and Kelly springs forward like a hungry lioness pouncing: their bodies SLAP into each other like hitting a water surface head on. Nina letting out a groan from the pain but maintains her guard over her face, allowing Kelly free reign to punish her tummy however. More thick, rapping action as Kelly takes a breath, HUFFS a right hand into the body, another deep breath, SMACKS another fist into Nina’s chest. Wicked intentions here to not just win the match but establish her full dominance over Agdal, and the effect seems to work: Nina reduced to blubbering mess when the bell rings, collapsing back down to her knees, cradling her midsection with both arms, glimmer of light fading with each passing moment.

ROUND 9:
The end seems nigh for one girl, but honestly pundits equally impressed with the fact that both women are entering the ninth round and still standing. Does this prove that they’re Lightweight champion material? Well, let’s wait until we have a clear winner first before speculating who’s next to face champion Kendall, shall we? Kelly coming out of her corner with purpose, tentative jabs thrown at Nina’s head before unleashing her full arsenal of heavy hands wailing away at her failing guard. Nina’s body getting tossed around like paper in a storm, guttural grunting even though Kelly’s fists not even making full contact with her body. Still, there’s some fight left in the Danish girl. When Kelly swings a wild overhand right hand that comes crashing into side of her head, Nina’s swerves to the side and the blow glances off her shoulder and neck instead. It hurts though, the force making her stumble for brief moment, but it hurts even more for Rohrbach when Nina snaps a right hand up into her chin in response, snapping the head back! Kelly’s eyes squeeze shut as Nina presses her advantage, left and rights alternating into the chin as she huffs and puffs and blows with the remainder of her strength. However, after a third such blow doesn’t fell the tall blonde clad in red (good lord she’s resilient), Kelly weaves to side and manages to avoid a fourth such uppercut. Instead, the Baywatch vixen steps in and BURIES a right hand into the pit Nina’s stomach, bringing her momentum to a screeching stop with a HUHGGHH from her lips. Rather than finish her right there and then though, Kelly chooses to continue punishing the midsection: her left hand disappears into the paunch, then another right swipes up high at Nina’s chest. This wakes Nina up though, who fires her own punch, glove packing into Kelly’s body and bending her over, then clinching up with her in close quarters. Girls struggle and exchange belly shots, red upon red in the last dwindling seconds as they take turns doubling each other over with a deep grunts. Referee has to separate them both at the bell and while it’s clear Nina scoring a brief comeback in the middle of this round, her body has clearly taken more abuse than her counter-part. Looks like we’re heading into the tenth round to decide who’s the better woman!

ROUND 10:
What’s this now? Show of respect from Kelly when the bell rings and she holds out one hand to her opponent, like an olive branch that says ‘I respect you, but I’m still gonna beat your ass.’ Nina hesitates for a moment before accepting with a touch of her own glove, and the crowd roars with approval at these two competitors showing disdain for each other before but now showing grudging respect at having taken turns to best each other for the last nine rounds. 

Niceties end there however when Nina is first to break the peace accord, again firing a long jab straight into Kelly’s reddened cheek. Rohrbach getting stunned from afar as Nina still has that accuracy at long range. Kelly showing little ability to defend herself at this point, but resolves to herself that the only defence might be a solid offence, so onwards she charges, taking Nina off-guard with a powerful right cross that slams into the middle of her forearms and penetrates enough to stun her on the chin. It’s enough for Kelly to work with, however: follow-up right and left glove pump into her belly, rooting Nina to the spot with a gurgle, then combination of right and left hooks take turns to SNAP into Nina’s cheeks, whipping her head both ways. Nina still not going down however, hunched over with arms wavering in front of her face. Kelly herself running low on juice, avoids a half-hearted swing at her head from Agdal and then SNAPS a final punch up into her jawline: it’s the nail in Nina’s coffin as she wavers on her feet for a few seconds, before falling face-forward onto the canvas. Nina’s knocked out cold, eyes shut and some drool pooling by her mouth. It’s finally over!

Official Decision: Kelly Rohrbach defeats Nina Agdal via KO10!

AFTER:
What a match! Both girls having given it their all and both looking stronger after having gone the distance. Kelly of course collapsing into the ropes in exhaustion, weak smile on her face as she acknowledges the crowd’s roar as her name is announced by the ring official. Still, she’s the first one to scamper over to Nina’s side, kneeling down and trying to see whether she’s badly hurt. Medical teams soon follow and they slowly turn the sleeping Danish girl over onto her back. Nina finally stirring awake but just barely, still groaning and groggy from the pain that must be racking her body. Kelly bends over and whispers some encouraging words to her fallen comrade, before allowing the medical team to carry Nina out of the arena via stretcher, the crowds showing their equal love for the vixen even in her defeat. 

Still, it’s a mighty fine win for Rohrbach here this evening, the blonde suffering from a string of losses to Upton, and then to Ferguson, but looks like they stop here finally with a win over another top contender for the Lightweight crown. When asked for a comment, Kelly humble her reply and full of praise for Nina:

“I’m still far away from thinking about the title. Now that Lima is done and out, who knows what can happen to the division? I’m happy with my win here today of course, even if it’s over Nina, who’s an astounding fighter on her own.”

Well, there you have it. Hopefully both girls will have a better year in 2018!