Lauren Mayberry
(30, 5’0, 90 lbs, 1:4 FCBA, The Dollhouse)
Vs.
Kelli Berglund
(22, 5’3, 107 lbs, 0:1 FCBA, Free Agent)

Results: Lookout!; Story: Caspian & The Dollhouse

BEFORE:
Lauren smiling in the breakroom, pre-fight, quite relaxed as she’s interviewed by reporters, like a cat getting a belly rub. Funny how the men and women of the press corp are the ones who look worried for Ms Mayberry’s future, especially given how her track record hasn’t always been perfectly stellar.

Lauren however pushing those doubts from everyone’s minds as she confidently responds to their questions:

“I’ve been pretty busy with touring ever since our new album came out, but I’ve been training whenever I can. I’m definitely looking forward to keeping up the momentum from my previous fight and getting another win tonight! I know Kelli is inexperienced, but honestly…she seems pretty tough and has three-inches on me…so it’s not going to be a walk in the park for me. Hopefully my training pays off and I can overcome that!”

Sweetheart at heart, this girl really is, with nary a mean bone in her body - she’s embraced by fellow teammate and mentor, Jessica Chastain, before they escort her away from prying eyes in order to make final preparations. 

Over the other side of the locker room, Kelli Berglund is preparing for the fight in her own way as well: lounging in an armchair whilst swirling a potent drink in hand, a cocky smirk on her face:

“She’s right, you know? I don’t have a lot of experience compared to some other girls around here, including her, but that isn’t gonna be enough to make me lose to her. Look, my one and only fight was against a beast called Ariel Winter. She’s huge and strong, that girl should be fighting at Bantam, so….. whatever. I don’t let that bother me. I’m not expecting nearly the same challenge from Lauren here, considering her record and... just by looking at her, she looks pretty weak. I’m bigger, and I’ve been training plenty for this one. I’m getting my first win tonight - you all better f*cking believe it!”

Later, the crowds giving both girls a warm welcome into the arena: Lauren first to enter, suddenly a little more intimidated from the sheer number of fans who have turned up to watch her fight. She’s waving to the fans in all directions, a genuine smile on her face as she walks towards the ring. Lauren has her hair in a sleek ponytail and is wearing a pale creamy pink sports bra and black short tights, her soft milky white thighs and slender legs on display . Kelli comes out next, looking focused for her second fight, as she aims to back her words up by any means possible as she comes down the ramp in a modest red sports bra and black shorts, with matching red gloves, dark hair up in a high ponytail.

The referee must be feeling partially relieved from the lack of pre-fight shenanigans this time round: Lauren and Kelli even obediently touching gloves when he orders them to do so. With the ring of the bell, HERE we go with ten rounds of Flyweight action!

ROUND 1:
Lauren digs deep and looks incredibly focused as we set up this first round - the Scottish singer knows deep down that she *has* to win this fight - her future credibility (and possibly even her career) at stake here. She’s moving like a blur compared to Kelli, snapping jabs in the actress’ direction, hoping to overwhelm her early. It seems to work - Kelli not knowing how exactly she wants to respond just yet. Should she keep still and guard against the punches, or should she barrel inwards to try and overpower the smaller girl, just like how her previous counterparts have had success? She opts for the former strategy, playing it safe initially. But that just gives Mayberry free reign of the rest of the ring, the fast moving dynamo just landing blows all around the forearms until the very end of the round. Kelli’s corner however not looking too worried - they’ve clearly studied Lauren’s fight-pattern on previous tapes, knows that the singer likes to explode into action early on, but all that may soon whittle away from her lack of stamina. Let’s hope they’re right, for Berglund’s sake.

ROUND 2:
Kelli built a little sturdier than her opponent, able to take that thrashing in the last round but obviously doesn’t wish to repeat the same cycle again and test her fortunes. Lauren similarly attempts to spring left, right, like a ball of uncontrollable energy, hitting at the gloves with a rapid jab-jab-jab combo as Kelli now tries to come in close to brawl, but Lauren getting ROCKED by a right hook that sails in from the side and impacts the guard, followed by another quick follow-up that slams into her side HARD. The petite brunette moans loudly and almost flies off her feet just from that impact alone! With pained eyes, the Scot still persevering on her feet, backing away a couple of feet before unleashing with long jabs all over again. This surprises Kelli for a brief moment, but she takes the comeback like a pro on her forearms, before swishing another hook at Lauren’s head, hoping for lightning to strike twice. Fortunately for Mayberry, she manages to scoot out of there just in the nick of time, avoiding the hook just inches from her face. Rest of the round sees the two girls at opponent ends, spooked but still probing each other’s defences with jabs. Kelli moving forward steadily still, trying to corner the slippery girl, but doesn’t manage to spring her trap by the time the bell rings to end this round. A wide round for Kelli in a comeback that surprised noone in particular - there’s a smile on her face as she’s reassured that she *does* have the power to put Mayberry away, only if she manages to land a big one.

ROUND 3:
Kelli hoping to pick up where she left off in the second round, but honestly this girl’s proving to be just a one-trick pony, coming forward in a straight line in Mayberry’s direction, but doing little else to pressure her opponent. Lauren making up for her lack of power and strength with plenty of smarts, just refusing to let herself get trapped in such an obvious net. Each time her back’s almost to a corner, she lets fly a flurry aimed straight for the head, hoping to disrupt Kelli’s advance. And she does exactly that! Kelli covering up her face on instinct, like a sea turtle sucking her head behind the safety of her shell, but allowing her prey to get way out of the pocket and hasten to the other side of the ring, out of danger. Rinse, repeat. Lauren as well needing a better strategy here by the end of the second minute - dodging and weaving around punches is all well and good, but her counter-attacks not doing much damage to her opponent either, if we’re being honest. Kelli at least manages to score a swipe or two across the singer’s tummy at the close of the round, drawing a muffled hhoouuff OUFFF but otherwise not succeeding in rooting her to the spot. These two might be destined for greatness one day, but they still have plenty more to learn about dominating one’s opponent.

ROUND 4:
Kelli running out breath early, signs and indications of her lack of stamina as her chest breaths and heaves deeply at the sound of the bell. Lauren not much better, but at least she has her own agility to rely on. Scottish girl senses the slowing down of her opponent’s footwork, starts venturing further into enemy territory here, which is surprising for someone like her - someone’s who’s prone to get thrown about by a short breeze. She has to be careful, jabbing at Kelli’s guard, then hitting some straight hands into the American’s body that draws soft groans from lips. Kelli barely poking back by comparison - perhaps it’s all a ruse to lure Lauren into her devious trap? That scenario starts looking less and less likely, however, when Mayberry scores another three-punches straight into her midsection, doubling her over, with her legs working to move away from the direction of abuse. HERE COMES LAUREN! She’s suddenly jamming those fists at the head and poking at the cheek and chin with every opening she spies! Kelli in DEEP trouble as she goes sailing backwards on wobbly feet, TRIPS over herself and lands on her buttocks, then curls up into a ball, hugging her body! It’s a KNOCKDOWN for Ms Mayberry, and oh how we love the sound of that !!

Fans have been long awaiting another victory for this beauty, and perhaps no-one’s quite excited as Mayberry herself, who immediately leaps into the air with a smile on her face, as though she’s already won this fight. But she may just have - referee counting Kelli out one second at a time, with the American doing her best to get back up to even her knees in time, but failing to do so by the count of 10! IT’S REALLY OVER!!

Official Decision: Lauren Mayberry defeats Kelli Berglund via KO4!

AFTER:
Happiness flooding Mayberry’s relieved face as she throws both hands high into the air. Dollhouse corner swarming the ring as well, intent on congratulating their stablemate on a very well-deserved victory on her way to greater things. Every single win is a big deal for Ms Mayberry at this stage, but tonight, she’s effectively stepped back from the ridge, with her dignity and prowess largely still intact.

Lauren walking over to Kelli after the celebrations die down, trying to help the defeated girl her up but then slightly stunned when the American waves her off with a “Get the f*ck away from me!” Kelli’s corner quickly escorting her out of the ring, limping back up the ramp backstage and away from the humiliating eyes of the arena. 

Later, Lauren still slightly shocked, telling reporters, “Yeah I wanted to help and congratulate her on a good fight, but I guess she didn’t want any of it. It’s kinda sad that some of these girls are such….sore losers….but I guess it must have wounded her ego pretty badly – you know - losing to a smaller ‘weakling’ like me!” she giggles, finding some satisfaction at last for herself tonight.