Alyson Michalka vs. Chloe Bennet (Unified Bantamweight Championship)
(Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)


BEFORE:

We've all been here before, though it's been awhile. A Front Street bantamweight champion defending against Alyson Michalka. And, Aly remembers very well the way the first one went. "Look," says Aly with a smile, "I've been down this road. I knew where it was going to end last time, with me wearing the belts. And, that's exactly where it's going to end this time."

"Oh, I know all about Michalka/Park," says Chloe with a nod. "But. I'm not Grace Park. I'm Chloe Bennet. And, Aly's about to find out that there's a difference."

ROUND ONE:

Both of these fighters known for effective, sound, aggression, so a slow, tactical start is a bit of a surprise, but, that's what happens. Michalka has some reach, and she wants to use it, but Chloe's dealt with taller fighters before, and she knows how to get the geometry she wants. And, that's exactly what she does in the first. Champion able to get leather on, put punches together, score points. But, Aly's scoring, too. She's getting the rangy left on target, following on with solid rights. Nobody's pushing the issue, though. It's a quick flurry followed by some movement, a reset, then another quick flurry. Neither fighter able to gain much of an advantage on these terms, though, as the round goes on, the champion does build a small lead, one she's able to carry all the way to the bell. After one, it's Bennet up 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

Michalka using more movement in the second. She's not dancing or circling, but, she's using a back step to create a bit of extra distance and that's enabling her to hold Chloe with the jab and set her up for right hands. Now, the champ can't get the geometry right, and Aly's taking control. Then. BOOM! A NASTY right from Michalka and DOWN GOES BENNET! Chloe dropped to her right side as Michalka quickly moves to a neutral corner. Bennet rolls to her belly as the referee's count mounts, gets to hands and knees at seven, and pushes to her feet at nine. Ref gives her the mandatory and then waives on the challenger. Aly all OVER the champ, driving her immediately into the ropes and letting her have it with both hands. Michalka landing some BOMBS as the ref looks in, ready to pounce. But, Chloe hangs on, keeps him at bay, makes it to the bell. It's a 10-8 round for Michalka, though, and Aly now leads 19-18.

ROUND THREE:

Michalka in control early. Bennet still wobbly, and Aly all about finishing her. But, Aly's not a top contender for nothing. She's sound and deliberate about the effort, not getting sloppy or overly aggressive. Instead, she works to set up her punches, keeps Bennet backing and covering, and lands a ton of hard, effective leather. Bennet's in retreat from the opening seconds, taking hard shot, but managing to ship it. She's playing for time and space, and, while she's managing to kill some of the former, the challenger is giving her precious little of the latter. Final minute sees Michalka turn it on, letting both hands go, driving the champ into the ropes again and banging away at her looking for that elusive switch marked 'off'. But. She doesn't find it. The bell rings with Chloe still on her feet. But, it's Michalka wide and with a lead that now stands at 29-27.

ROUND FOUR:

Michalka rolling. She's got it all going now, and it's something to behold. Aly's always had everything you could want in a bantamweight, height, length, athleticism, strength, speed, skill, and it's all on display in the fourth as she takes the champion to the woodshed. It all starts with the left jab, which Michalka uses brilliantly, banging it into Bennet's face again and again, using it to stop any offensive Chloe might attempt and to set up follow on right hands and longer flurries of heavy leather. For Bennet's part, the champ isn't getting anything done. She's trying to get something going, but the challenger's making it impossible, staying on the offensive for the entire three minutes. Bennet's never hurt, but never looks like being completely recovered from all the punishment Aly piled on in the second and third. At the bell, it's shutout, Michalka, and the challenger pulling away to a 39-36 edge.

ROUND FIVE:

Right about now, we'd normally be seeing the Bennet comeback. But. Michalka's seen that play before, and she has no desire to see it again. She sticks with the jab, even as Chloe's moving better, seeming to finally shake off all of that second-round knockdown. Chloe's trying to angle, get to her spots again like she did in a first that seems a long time ago now, and she has some success doing it, just like she did in that opening stanza. But, Michalka's getting more of what she wants, ranged boxing where she can use the left to control the tempo and set up her offense. Final minute sees more aggression from Bennet, who's looking to grab some much-needed points here, but Michalka's not having any. She's boxing, giving a little ground when necessary, keeping Chloe at bay to the bell. It's much closer this time, but still Michalka, who's now in command, 49-45.

ROUND SIX:

More of the same. Michalka working to maintain long range, Bennet wanting to angle, get to where she can get shot home. It's excellent tactical stuff throughout, with, again, both fighters getting some of what they want, but neither getting enough for her liking. Bennet's working a little body here and there, when she gets the chance, but that's about the only change from the last round. About half way through, Chloe makes with the aggression again. This time, she manages to work past Aly's defenses, get some banging done. Michalka fires back in kind, and we get some of the best exchanges of the fight, with Bennet doubling down on the body work while Aly looks almost exclusively upstairs. Final 30 seconds see Michalka get back to range and Bennet willing to play that game to the bell. It's close for the second round in a row, but the body work does the trick for Bennet, who's finally back on the board, but still down 58-55.

ROUND SEVEN:

Chloe's found something. She's getting past Michalka's glove, working in, banging body, scoring points. Michalka now unable to keep the champion at bay. But, she's plenty able to bang with, and that's exactly what she does. Things get very physical very quickly, with both fighters landing heavy shot to both head and body. Bennet's digging hard, trying to work her way back into this thing, but Michalka's not taking a backward step. BOOM! Right hook, Chloe and Michalka's HURT! Aly stumbles backward and Chloe's hammering away with both hands. Michalka quickly rope bound as the champion looks for the finisher her challenger couldn't find earlier. She's trying out everything in the arsenal as Michalka hangs on along the ropes, but nothing works. The Bazz beauty's sturdy legs hold her up to the bell. It's Bennet wide. But, Michalka's still standing and still up 67-65.

ROUND EIGHT:

Time becoming of the essence for the champion. She's down two points with three rounds to go. There's no margin for error, and Chloe plans to make no mistake. Instead, she's forward immediately behind her left hand, looking to press the advantage she gained in the last round. She's sitting down on her punches, backing up the challenger. Aly willing to give ground now, trying to manage the aggression, play for time, get the legs all the way back under her. But, again, time is something Chloe doesn't have. What she DOES have is a brutal right hook. She sets it up with a left to the body, then lands it right on the button. And, DOWN GOES MICHALKA! Aly spilled to her back. Chloe quickly to a neutral corner. Watches as the count begins. Michalka sits up at five, shaking the head. She rolls to her knees at seven. Begins to rise. CRUMPLES BACK TO THE CANVAS! It's OVER! Aly can't beat the count, and your winner by KO8 in comeback fashion and STILL Unified Bantamweight Champion is Chloe Bennet!

AFTER:

Bennet's had some super performances over the last couple of years, and this one ranks right up there with the two efforts against VanCamp. Down big to one of the best bantams in the world, the champion finds a way. Again. "It was never going to be easy," she says, shaking her head. "She's just got so much talent. On any given day, she can beat anybody in the world. But, when you're wearing these belts, those are the kinds of girls you're going to be fighting. And, you'd better be able to raise your game if you want to keep them