Claire Holt versus Emily Ratajkowski 

Before: Emily’s climb into the top-tier bantams continues. Besting a flagging Shay Mitchell is one thing, but stopping a Claire Holt comeback is going to get any champion’s attention, especially Nina’s. “She’s the same fighter as Shay, and I’ll beat her the same way. Even Tractorpull is saying that, and they’ve hated me from the start!”

“There’s one reason what worked on Shay won’t work on me: I’m better than she is! I hope Emily tries it, because I’ll be ready for it.” Claire clambering back into the top 20, looking to consolidate her place as a definite comeback.



R1: Emily flashy in the first minute, picking Claire up with the hook on top, doubling into the ribs--nasty slashing action on brisk, brisk punching. Holt covered up tight, blocks a lot of it, weathers it well, and she illustrates how you fight a faster girl this round. Claire able to time Emily’s showboating hooks, fitting a compact counter hook in between and visibly shaking brunette’s legs. Holt closing the gap, jabbing to get her left hand on Ratajkowski’s shoulder, then picking her up in the tits the right uppercut. Claire bodying up inside, grinding mouth on shoulder with Emily and having her way. Ratajkowski muscled to the ropes, tries to get back in top with a left to the crotch--Holt responds immediately in kind to send the message: I do the bullying around here. Round ends with Claire punishing Emily’s ribcage on either side, keeping a body on her brunette to prevent her escape--just wearing Ratajkowski down with methodical abuse.

R2: Shaking off the punishment, Emily relaxed, left hand at her hip, right hand cocked at her chest, stepping in and out, circling either way--she’s dictating pace with her feet. Claire trying to square up again, touch Ratajkowski with a little contact uppercut out of her guard, maybe the lead hook. Emily tripling up the jab, stooping to get at the belly, feathering ‘em up top, looking to angle in off Claire’s left shoulder and land shearing right hands. Ratajkwoski slide-stepping away, luring Holt forward, but freezing her with feints. Claire creeping in, trying to ride her guard on and Emily lights her up with a feint-jab setting up a flashbulb right uppercut, picking the chin up perfectly. Blonde stunned, wobbly butt, Ratajkowski stepping away purposefully to the right, both fighters showing they can play their games just right.

R3: Both girls do their respective things again, Emily takes the round. Ratajkowksi moving, luring Holt forward, then beating her to punches--sexy lead uppercuts, sharp clanging hooks, spitting jabs--it’s classy, flashy stuff as she works the ring. Claire very solid however, never discouraged, never breaking down--she’s marching on Emily, getting close enough to pound that sports bra or dig that firm belly, but she’s just not having enough moments. Lackluster jab from Holt, Ratajkowski able to potshot at will as a result.

R4: Claire patiently gets after it: high, tight guard, leaning forward, taking the sting off the jab but plowing through so Emily can’t extend on the power punches. Holt happy working on the inside, dipping and digging to the waist, dropping her hands straight down from the guard to pound jug before touching her up in the lungs. Ratajkowski gritting her teeth, getting backed up and worked over - final minute sees her on the ropes and taking a rude beating up and down her flanks. Claire going bell to bell, really wearing out the midsection, leaves Emily mouth breathing, looking a little ramshackle, not to mention shocked, at the bell.

R5: First minute, more Claire hammering away, working Emily to the ropes, looking to land at least one hard right hand amidships before brunette can spin out. Midway through, Ratajkowski sliding back rolls to her right, rockets back a jolting counter right on the chin and HOLT’S HURT! Claire stepping in fence post holes, Emily staying disciplined, bodying her blonde ropeside, separating herself just enough to pack three withering hooks in behind Holt’s elbow. Claire reaching to tie up, Emily moving from one foot to the other, cleverly keeping clear of counters while tucking into Holt’s midriff


R6: Claire employing a hard jab in gun platform trading, forcing Emily to move. Holt back to the ribcage/flank with hamhanded rights - thudding wallop applied with drumming impact, forcing Ratajkowski to ropes. Claire squaring up; meaty, greedy lefts and rights really tearing it up, drawing breathy grunts of protest. Emily reaching to clinch and getting shoulder-butts, jug-mugging uppercuts in response: she's beaten back upright to ropes as Holt resists the impulse to grapple. Hooks and right hands hammer at Ratajkowksi's guard, banging past the mitts and rattling the skull. Emily drooping, growing weeeaaaak - she wilts to one knee, face scrunched in pain: Claire steps back, chest heaving, eyes hungry. Emily beats the count with a wheezy 8, Holt stomps back in all business, palm-shoving brunette upright, breaking out the baseball bat. Thick, pounding beat down administered, Claire in the zone, crowd screaming as Emily soaks more and more punishment, she's face-in-gloves, yo-yoing off the strands AND THE REF STEPS IN! Holt shouting in exultation, arms over her head as she’s on a definite win streak with TKO6!

After: Good incremental bout for both fighters, Claire continuing to show signs she’s finally pulled out of her funk, not banking everything on the one blockbuster punch, rather using her power to take away her opponent’s options. Emily, on the other hand, continues to impress, taking both close rounds, opening a small but noticeable lead on the cards.