TESS VALMORE


The September PPV featured 42 bouts, not counting four retro bouts. Three titles were on the line and two changed hands. Lilly Collins defeated Natalie Portman to take the flyweight title. Alexis Ren successfully defended the lightweight title by beating Anllela Sagra and finally Jennifer Lawrence took the welter title from Brooklyn Decker. It was Lawrence first title after eleven years in either the lightweights or the welters She had been frequently a member of the top ten. Bella Thorne the bantam champion took the month off.

Out of 42 bouts, the welters were featured in only four, less than 10%, with the usual suspects being involved. There were two bouts between welters and lightweights with the welters winning one, which is better than they usually do Only one fight was between top ten members, but in this case the welters only have seven. Tahnee Atkinson lost to Amanda Righetti. No surprise there, but it was Atkinson’s fifth straight loss. At least, she has lost to others of the top seven rather than step down to the cannon fodder, which is the rest of the division.

The biggest move among the lightweights were Katy Perry with her upset of DiDonato, Lima with her win over MIssy Peregrym and Dua Lipa with her win over Yustman. Perry may have the best chance of getting the next title shot since she has lost her last five title matches. Lima is probably not going to get shot soon since she has lost two of three to Ren. Lipa is a long shot since she has lost to Ren. Another possibility would be Yvonne Strahovski. The two have never fought each other.

In the bantams, the big win of the night belonged to Kaya Scodelario with her win over Evangeline Lilly. Dobrev with her win over Beckinsale could get some attention, but she lost title fight to Thorne two years ago. That however, has never stopped a fighter from getting a title match. The two biggest moves of the night were made by Naomi Scott with her win over Ratajkowski and Reinhart who beat Chopra. Of the two, Scott appears to be the most ready for a title fight. She has won nine of her last ten with her only loss being to Kosarin. Reinhart is doing quite well, but I just don’t think she is near ready for a title shot. Ana de Armas won her ninth straight and is getting some attention in the bantams, but her win over Beetz in the PPV was basically a waste of time. It gained her nothing. Robbie’s win over Lovato should get her more attention, but not a title match. Should I mention Jenny Mac’s loss to Kim Kardashian? Jenny, if you can’t beat Kardashian it really time to go. In fact, past time to go

There were a number of flyweight fights, but none of importance. I know every fight is important to a fighter or a stable, but not in the overall picture. Megan Fox beat Kate Mara, which was a fight like the de Armas/Beetz fight. It gained her nothing. It is one of those fights where you have nothing to gain and everything to lose. On a risk-reward relationship, it one of those fights you should avoid because it is the Mara type that is challenging.   Vanessa Hudgens had the toughest challenge of the night in her fight with Selena Gomez. Her win should get some attention from Collins. McNamara seems to be the best of the newer fighters in the flyweights. Her win over Hale should give her a big boost in the flyweight rankings.