Nell Tiger Free vs. Kelli Berglund
(Results: Lookout!, Words: Caspian)

Nell:
(24, 5’5, 25:11 FCBA, VIXENs)

Kelli:
(27, 5’3, 2:7 FCBA, Queens of Absolution)

BEFORE:
Nell Tiger Free steps up to the microphone first, her expression a mix of determination and angst. Dressed in a simple white singlet and ripped jeans, her athletic build, she addresses the crowd with a dismissive tone.
"I've been waiting for this rematch," Nell begins, her voice steady but laced with a hint of bitterness. "Last time was a fluke. Kelli got lucky, but luck always runs out. I've trained harder, and I'm not the same fighter she beat last year. This time, it's my turn to show her what I'm really made of…. especially with new blood on the roster…”

Nell's words are met with murmurs from the crowd, her confidence evident despite the outcome of their previous encounter, and some can’t help but wonder if Nell’s confidence might be shaken by the arrival of Madison Beer, another Flyweight contender in the pecking order.

Kelli Berglund, from the Queens of Absolution, exudes her own confidence and a touch of arrogance, taking her turn at the microphone. She smirks slightly as she glances at Nell, her posture relaxed yet poised.
"Repeat my win easily? You bet," Kelli laughs with a cocky grin. "I knocked Nell out once, and I'll do it again. She can train all she wants, but some things never change. I'm just the better fighter, and everyone here will see that tonight, again."

A day later, Nell Tiger Free is the first to step onto the stage. She strides confidently towards the scales, her lean, toned figure now wrapped in a sports bra and short tights after having disrobed earlier. Nell steps onto the scales, her gaze fixed and intense, the numbers confirming her perfect condition for the bout.

Next, Kelli Berglund makes her entrance, exuding a mix of confidence and nonchalance at having already done this showdown before. She too sheds her outer clothing, revealing a well-conditioned physique, a clear testament to her rigorous training regardless. Kelli steps onto the scales, meeting the weight requirements with ease, her eyes never leaving Nell.

With the official weigh-in complete, the two fighters approach each other for the customary staredown on stage. The tension in the air is thick as they stand toe-to-toe, hands planted on hips, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze. Nell's expression is one of intense focus, a stark contrast to Kelli's smug smirk.

Suddenly, the simmering tension boils over. Kelli whispers something inaudible yet clearly provocative, causing an immediate reaction. Nell's face contorts with anger, and without warning, she shoves Kelli back forcefully by her shoulders. Berglund, caught off guard, stumbles back awkwardly, but quickly regains her composure, and then with a twisted expression, LUNGES back for the Vixen!
In an instant, the stage erupts into chaos as both fighters exchange blows. Nell's fists fly towards Kelli's head and body, her pent-up frustration unleashing in a flurry of punches. Kelli, equally incensed, retaliates with her own barrage, targeting Nell's midsection with rapid, powerful strikes.

The crowd ROARS as the two fighters grapple and swing, their trainers and security rushing onto the stage to separate them! Amidst the struggle, Nell and Kelli continue to hurl insults and threats and snarls at each other, their rivalry now more intense than ever. Finally pulled apart, both fighters are escorted off the stage, their eyes still blazing with animosity.

Hours later, the lights dim, and the opening notes of "Warrior" by Imagine Dragons fill the arena, signaling Tiger Free's entrance. The crowd erupts in cheers as she emerges from the backstage area. She's dressed in a sleek, black and gold sports bra and short tights ensemble. Her hair is tied back tightly, her face set in a determined expression. As she strides down the aisle, her focus is evident; she's here to settle a score. Nell climbs into the ring, shadowboxing and warming up, her eyes scanning the crowd, absorbing the energy.

The mood shifts as "Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett blares through the speakers, heralding Kelli's entrance. The Queen steps out, wearing a bold red sports bra with white stripes, and a confident smirk in place. Kelli's walk to the ring is slow and deliberate, soaking in the mixed reactions from the crowd, and later, she climbs into the ring with a swagger, throwing mock punches and winking at the audience, clearly enjoying the moment.

In the ring, both fighters engage in their final preparations. Nell bounces on her toes, throwing crisp jabs into the air, her gaze never leaving Kelli. She takes deep breaths, mentally preparing herself for the battle ahead. Her corner team gives her last-minute advice, ensuring she's fully ready. Kelli, on the other hand, stretches her arms and rolls her shoulders, loosening up her muscles. She shares a few laughs with her corner, then practices a few high-speed combinations, awaiting the bell.
As the referee calls them to the center of the ring for final instructions, they both nod at his words, but their eyes are locked in a fierce stare-down. Finally settled into their fight stances, HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Flyweight action!


ROUND 1:
Nell starts with a series of probing jabs, testing Kelli's defenses. She moves gracefully, her feet light on the canvas, as she sends out quick, straight punches aimed at the Queen’s head. Kelli, showcasing her agility, weaves side to side, dodging the jabs while maintaining her guard. Then, sensing an opportunity, she counters with a swift one-two combination, her left jab followed by a right straight aimed at Nell's head. The Vixen reacts on instinct, raising her gloves, blocking the shots, her eyes never leaving Kelli's. The fight then shifts to a more tactical exchange. Nell, using her reach, throws a series of feints, trying to draw Kelli out. The brunette, however, remains composed, her movements measured as she responds with her own feints, both fighters engaging in a chess match of sorts. As the round progresses, Nell begins to find her rhythm. She lands a quick jab to Kelli's nose, followed by a straight right to the chest. Kelli absorbs the hits, a slight grimace on her face, but she quickly regroups and fires back with a jab to the body. The intensity increases as Nell starts to press the action. She steps in closer, throwing a combination of jabs and straight rights, targeting Kelli's head and body. The Queen, feeling the pressure, uses her footwork to create distance, countering with sharp jabs of her own. But in the final minute, Nell ups the ante. She lands a solid jab to Kelli's face, momentarily stunning her. Sensing vulnerability, she follows up with a well-timed hook to the body, the punch landing with a thud against Kelli's ribs. Kelli winces but remains on her feet, her arms tightening around her midsection. As the round comes to a close, Nell lands a few more jabs to the head, each punch snapping Kelli's head back. Kelli, undeterred, circles away, her eyes focused and ready for the next round. At the bell, both fighters return to their corners, breathing heavily but undaunted.


ROUND 2:
As the second unfolds, Tiger Free cautiously circles, looking for openings. She throws a series of exploratory jabs, but Kelli, reading her movements, counters with a swift and precise right cross that crashes into Nell's nose. The impact is sharp, causing the Vixen’s head to snap back, her eyes watering from the sudden pain. Immediately, Kelli presses forward with a newfound aggression. She targets the body, her gloves thudding against her ribs and abdomen. Each punch lands with a heavy "thump," visibly shaking Nell's frame. Nell's arms drop instinctively to protect her midsection, leaving her face momentarily exposed, a little stunned by Kelli’s power. Nell, trying to regain control, fires back with quick jabs aimed at the Queen’s face, hoping to stave her off. She manages to connect a few, her gloves snapping against Kelli's cheeks, but these strikes do little to slow her forward momentum. Kelli, undeterred, continues her assault, driving Nell towards the ropes, her punches becoming more focused and ferocious. Another left hook sinks into Nell's side, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips, her body folding slightly under the impact, her movements becoming more defensive. In the final moments of the round, Kelli traps Nell against one corner of the ropes, unleashes a flurry of body shots, her gloves pounding rhythmically into the sides of her torso. Nell, trapped and on the verge of being overwhelmed, attempts to shield herself with her arms, her gloves moving frantically to block the incoming blows. But Kelli's punches still find their way through, thumping away at the body and forcing grunts of pain from Nell's lips. A final combination, a series of rapid hooks to Nell's abdomen, forces the Brit girl to double over, her body shuddering under the barrage. Nell's lunges out, attempting to clinch and create space, but Kelli just pins her against the ropes, sapping the rest of her stamina. As the bell rings, marking the end of the round, both fighters step back. Kelli walks confidently to her corner, a satisfied smirk on her face, while Nell, visibly winded and clutching her side, makes her way back, her team rushing to assess the damage and strategize for the next round.


ROUND 3:
There’s a noticeable shift in momentum as Nell comes out with a determined look in her eyes. She immediately targets Kelli’s face, her gloves moving with precision and speed, each punch landing with a sharp "snap" against her cheeks, forehead, and chin, systematically breaking down her defenses from afar. Kelli tries to retaliate, swinging away in an attempt to regain control. But her punches grow increasingly wild and desperate, failing to connect as Nell deftly dodges and weaves around them. The Vixen’s agility is on full display, her feet moving swiftly, creating angles that leave Kelli swinging at air instead. Sensing her advantage, Nell switches her focus to the body, driving straight punches from a distance, each one landing with a solid "thud" against Kelli's ribs and abdomen, the Queen’s body visibly recoiling with each strike, her breaths becoming more labored as the air is driven from her lungs. And as Kelli staggers back, Nell presses her advantage, herding her bit by bit towards the ropes. Kelli soon finds herself trapped, her options dwindling as Nell ramps up her attack. In the final seconds of the round, Nell unleashes hell, her gloves ramming in and pummeling her foe’s tummy, breasts, and belly, the steady "whump, whump, whump" of each punch making Kelli's body jerk and shudder against the ropes. Berglund tries to block but her arms can’t cover everything at once, and her groans soon grow louder with each hit, her body folding over Nell's fists, her face contorted in pain. Nell, with a fierce look in her eyes, keeps the pressure up, her fists sinking deep into Kelli's flesh, punishing her opponent for every inch of space and remaining second on the clock! Finally, the referee physically pulls Nell off, the Vixen’s chest heaving from the exertion but her eyes burning with triumph. Kelli, on the other hand, slumps against the ropes, gasping for air, her body battered and bruised from the onslaught! It looks like this fight might be a very different experience after all!


ROUND 4:
The round kicks off with a tactical exchange of jabs, each fighter probing for weaknesses. Kelli, however, is quick to escalate, throwing a feinting jab towards Nell's midsection, which draws a defensive response. In that split second of distraction, Kelli switches stances and DRIVES a devastating right cross straight into Nell's nose! OUCH! The impact sends the Brit’s head reeling back, a flash of pain crossing her features. Emboldened, Kelli presses her advantage, launching a barrage of heavy hooks after Nell’s body, those heavy gloves landing with solid thuds against the tummy and arms. Nell looks shaken and stirred, caught off guard and scrambling to mount a defense. In a moment of sheer power, Kelli cuts an uppercut right down the middle, her glove rocketing upwards and connecting with the underside of Nell's chin! DOUBLE OUCH!! The force of the blow lifts Nell clean off her feet, her body momentarily suspended in mid-air before she CRASHES back down onto the canvas! It’s a sick and sickening KNOCKDOWN for Kelli Berglund, whose expression says it all: she expected this repeat win, beaming widely as the crowd roars in her corner!


As Nell lies stunned on the mat, the referee quickly steps in, beginning the count. The Vixen, showing remarkable resilience, slowly begins to push herself up. Her arms shake under the strain, her breathing heavy as she fights to clear the fog from her mind. By the count of eight, Nell has managed to pull herself back to her feet. She stands unsteadily, her eyes still glazed from the impact, but determined to continue. The bell rings soon after, however, preventing Kelli from finishing her off and ending the fight, but the momentum has clearly shifted in her favor.


R5: NTF scores a knockdown in minute three. KB can't get up in time and NTF wins via KO5!


As the fight progresses, Nell surprises everyone with her resilience. Having suffered the KO attempt, she dodges and weaves about Kelli's initial onslaught with her agile footwork, her eyes focused and calculating, even though she’s still breathing hard. Kelli’s clearly trying to throw a series of powerful hooks towards her head, but Nell’s expertly parrying and countering, while her counter-shots find their mark repeatedly on the Queen’s face and body. And midway through the round, Nell feints a jab to the head, drawing her guard up. While Kelli has her vision obscured, Nell steps in and drives a straight right cross that lands squarely off the temple! And the impact is immediate and staggering, sending Kelli stumbling backward, her balance compromised! Now, Nell presses forward! She bombards Kelli with a flurry of punches, each one landing to the arms and body! And the Queen’s defenses begin to crumble under the onslaught, her attempts to counter growing weaker with each blow! Then suddenly, a decisive strike! Tiger Free rams a hook into the side of her head, throwing her further off balance! And before Kelli can right her ship, an uppercut is NAILED to the base of her chin! AND DOWN SHE GOES! The Queen's body goes entirely rigid, her eyes widening in shock, before she COLLAPSES to the canvas! It’s a return KNOCKDOWN for Nell Tiger Free, who breathes hard overhead, standing over Kelli’s all four limbs sprawled out in defeat! The referee takes one look at Berglund’s chest rising and falling, her lips parted in shock, and WAVES IT OFF! It’s OVER!!

Official Result: Nell Tiger Free defeats Kelli Berglund via KO5!

AFTER:
The final bell rings, echoing through the arena, marking Nell’s comeback victory. The crowd is still buzzing from the excitement of the match as Nell, beaming with a mix of relief and pride, begins to celebrate her hard-earned win with her arms high in the air.

Nell, still riding the high of her victory, approaches Kelli, who is slowly regaining her senses on the canvas. With a confident stride, the Vixen reaches down and firmly grasps her by the hair, pulling the dazed fighter up to her knees. Below, Kelli winces, her face a portrait of defeat and disorientation, as she's forced to confront her conqueror, the one who bested her after that chaotic press conference.
Standing tall and dominant, Nell leans in close, her face inches away from the defeated Queen. "Well, well," Nell says, her voice laced with satisfaction. "Not so smug anymore, are we? This is what happens when you underestimate me."
Kelli, struggling to maintain her composure, can only muster a weak glare upwards in response, her energy sapped from the grueling fight. Nell continues twisting in her knife, relishing every moment of her victory. "Thought you had me, huh? Who’s the better fighter now?"

After a few more moments of gloating, Nell roughly shoves Kelli to one side, discarding her like a ragdoll. Kelli collapses to the mat, her body still reeling from the physical and emotional toll of the match. As Nell steps away, her arms raised in victory, the crowd erupts in another round of cheers and applause.
Kelli, left to gather herself on the canvas, can only watch as Nell basks in the glory of her win. Despite the bitter taste of defeat, she knows that in the world of boxing, every loss is a lesson, and silently vows to come back stronger…