Briana Evigan vs. Vanessa Hudgens
(Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE:

Interesting matchup of girls who've had similar, then divergent FCBA paths. Both Hudgens and Evigan were considered hot indie prospects before being signed, gaining a little traction, and then seeing their management collapse. Hudgens was able to catch on with Lookout! and the rest is history, four title reigns and a potential Hall of Fame career. Evigan got some traction with a new stable, then saw it all fall apart around her again. Now with her third stable, she's nearing 33 and, while she continues to win fights and show she can compete at a high level, she's never had a title SHOT let alone held the belts. And, Briana is well aware that a good way to change that would be to come out on top tonight.

"Here's the thing," says a hard-eyed eyed Evigan, "She hit a lucky one the last time. I had her. I know it. She knows it. And everyone who saw that FIGHT knows it. And, tonight, her luck runs OUT."

"I said this a few months ago," says 'Nessa with a smile. "She's NOT breaking through. She's NOT in my league. And, I'm going to prove it again tonight."

ROUND ONE:

Evigan's fight plan hasn't changed. Crowd Vanessa. Get physical. Don't let her use all that speed and athleticism to dance around the ring and pick you apart. And, in the first round, that plan works. Very, very well. Briana moves well, too, and she's able to match footwork, cut the ring, get inside, work body. 'Nessa uncomfortable, tying up, trying to force breaks, retreating, trying to circle, doing everything she can to get space. But, Evigan not having it. She's up in her rival's grill, banging away, forcing Hudgens to cover up, keeping her in place and on the defensive. And, OH, how Evigan works that body. She's thumping away to ribs and midsection, tenderizing as much meat as possible, looking to begin reducing Hudgens' legs. At the bell, it's gone about as well as it could have for Evigan, who takes it wide and leads 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

'Nessa makes adjustments in the footwork and begins finding space. NOW she's ranging around the ring, snapping that jab, keeping Briana at bay. Older woman working hard to close, but can't find ways to do that. Instead, this round gets played out on Hudgens' terms, which is good for 'Nessa, and bad for YOU. Evigan is, again, plenty athletic and moves very well, but you aren't going to out-'Nessa Nessa. And, as a result, with the fight on the move, it's Hudgens piling up the points and touches, while a frustrated Evigan pursues her around the ring. Briana doesn't get overly aggressive despite her mounting frustration. She remembers the last fight and takes that lesson to heart. She remains sound and keeps working. But, she can't change the terms, and, when the bell rings, Hudgens has taken it wide to even things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Mix of rounds one and two. This time, nobody's getting all she wants. There are times when 'Nessa is on the move, jabbing, circling, ranging. And, when this happens, Hudgens piles up points. At other times, Evigan runs her to ground, cuts her off, closes, works body and gets hard shot on to the head as well. At these times, it's Briana who's making the scoreboard hum. Result is our first two-way round of the bout, and, our first close one as well. Neither fighter is able to create any space on the cards, as 'Nessa's work in open canvas is offset by Briana's at close range. Final 30 seconds tells the tale, and those are spent in the phone booth, with Evigan working body and bruising up Hudgens' flanks and belly. Thus, at the bell, it's Briana close and Evigan back on top 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

First thirty seconds mirror the last thirty of the previous round with Evigan cutting off 'Nessa, crowding her, working her body. Hudgens tying up, trying to force a break. Evigan punching free and ROCKING 'NESSA WITH A RIGHT HOOK! Hudgens' suddenly all wobbly-butt and Briana letting the hands go and DROPPING THE FORMER CHAMP with a straight right hand! Vanessa flat on her back staring up at the referee as Briana strides to a neutral corner. Hudgens in deep, deep trouble as the count mounts, but, somehow, she gets back to her feet at nine. Ref gives her the mandatory and ON COMES EVIGAN. Briana winging away at 'Nessa with both hands, driving her back into the ropes and absolutely ABUSING her to head and body. Hudgens hanging on, trying to tie up, jabbing back here and there but taking a POUNDING. At one point, Evigan actually looks at the referee as if to ask, "What do I have to DO here?" But, the ref remains at bay until the bell, mercifully, ends the round. It's Evigan 10-8 and now up 39-36.

ROUND FIVE:

Briana taking out her frustrations on Hudgens from the opening seconds. She's working her over again, both upstairs and down, thumping away as a lead-legged 'Nessa plays defense and tries to counter in spots. Soon enough, Hudgens is back on the ropes and taking, and, again, Briana's giving, and giving, and giving, sitting down on every punch, absolutely THUMPING 'Nessa to both head and body. Again, Evigan takes a glace at the ref, but, again, he remains unmoved, watching closely as the older brunette batters the younger, shaking her several times. But. 'Nessa remains on her feet. She takes the licking and keeps on ticking. And, when, again mercifully, the bell rings, Evigan has tossed a shutout and extended her lead to 49-45. But, Hudgens is still standing.

ROUND SIX:

Evigan pressing the issue in a major way early. She's after 'Nessa, looking to follow up on the huge fourth and fifth rounds she put toget...BOOM! Right hand counter from Hudgens and Briana's HURT! Evigan wobbles, nearly goes down, and Hudgens is ALL IN. Vanessa letting the hands go, hammering away at her reeling rival, looking to put her away in lightning fashion. Evigan backing, covering, eventually trapped on the ropes, where Vanessa gives her some payback for the abuse Hudgens took in the past two rounds. 'Nessa all OVER the dazed Evigan, working her to both head and body, ROCKING her with a nasty short right, then giving her OWN look to the ref, who shakes his head, sending the younger brunette back to work. Hudgens hammers away right to the bell, and, when it rings, she's pitched a shutout, but still trails 58-55.

ROUND SEVEN:

Hudgens all seek and destroy, and the seek isn't exactly that difficult, because Evigan's clearly still buzzed and rubber legged. 'Nessa clinical. She steps to her rival, backs her up, working her toward the ropes. But. She never gets her there. Instead. BOOM! Right hand, Vanessa and DOWN GOES BRIANA! Evigan dropped to hands and knees as 'Nessa raises her arms in triumph, then heads to a neutral corner. Briana stays on all fours to the count of seven, then pushes to her feet. Referee gives her the mandatory, then waives on 'Nessa. Hudgens a buzz saw, charging at her rival, buffeting her back into the ropes and letting her have it with everything in the arsenal. Straight right splits the gloves and wobbles Evigan's knees and it's OVER! Referee steps in and bundles the older brunette to safety! And your winner by KO7 is Vanessa Hudgens!

AFTER:

'Nessa all smiles and shrugs in the post. "Like I continue to say, she's simply not in my LEAGUE. And, her management better figure that out before she gets seriously HURT climbing into the ring with a SUPERIOR fighter like ME."