Before: "It'll be easier," Mary Elizabeth promises in prefight. "That first fight, I figured her out, broke her down, took my time to see what she had. I know all about Rachel now, and I don't have to spend any more time exploring. Last time was about winning; this time is about dominating. I'm putting my foot down on Rachel - she's been talking smack, saying how she got robbed; there'll be no more of that this time around!" Nichols nostrils flaring - blonde just a punch or two shy of victory in the first fight, anxious to make up the stagger on hated Winny. "A classy fighter would have admitted that I hurt her and gave her all she wanted in that first fight," an outraged Nichols says. "Instead, Mary has to make it seem like all she has to do is pick up the tempo and I'll just blow away. Not gonna happen. I'm beating Mary up in this fight, and I don't intend to leave it in the hands of lameduck judges either!" Mary in cerulean blue bikini, small white gloves. Rachel in scarlet bikini, small white gloves; long low ponytail with bangs framing face. Girls refuse to touch gloves - Rachel turning abruptly away, manages to brush her ponytail across Mary's face before the fight's even started.

During R1: Seething eyes, hard expressions - but the girls come out thoughtful, technical in the first. Hands up; both poised on the ball of right (back) foot - step-pivoting clockwise. Mary pops jabs; Rachel blocks 'em; Rachel pops jabs, Mary parries. Both girls steppin' n' pokin' - then leaning in with healthy, lancing straight rights HARD to the body. Vicious, spearing single shots - both girls searching for the solar-plexus off-switch. Great small-glove spank sounding out from the body shots as the girls jab or feint each other to set up the long right down and in. As round progresses - no secret that both girls want to hurt the other down there - right hands cocked, clenched tightly as vixens turn midring. Tactical, methodical, but pleasing - both girls a little shiny eyed, each biting down on cries of complaint from some tuff touches downstairs; both wincing on stools during the break.

R2: Same again - girls in proper stances, nothing fancy - each generating maximum thrust off the back big toe. Spicy jabs all blocked up top: all to set up those searing, slanting right hands down to sternum. Girls score to body, step out, step-left - tactical battle very intense as each holds the other's gaze. Midway through, Mary feints; Rache flinches - closing up her guard to block a phantom jab; Winstead drives in and down with the right hand, rifling hard fist into vulnerable solar plexus "PAKK!". Rachel spanked perfect amidships: she shouts in pain, cramping, face stricken. Rache backs away cringing, and RACHEL SINKS TO A KNEE! Mary screeching down in triumph - ref pushing her back. Poor Nichols SO pretty as tears spill; right hand clutching her body, left knuckles on the canvas as she's on bended left knee. IT'S OVER! Rachel can't fight off the paralysis - KO2 Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

After: Willowy Rachel sobbing, hugging herself in gutshot agony - she's forced to see Mary leaping into the arms of her trainer and being overjoyed at Nichols' collapse. Winstead all puppies and ponies - hugging and kissing and jumping around - favouring poor Rachel with frequent gleeful glances of exultation. Madsen catching the look of hurt and rage in Nichols' eyes, immediately moves to calm her fighter - forbidding the walk of shame and taking Mary aside, out of earshot for interviews. Winstead bubbly on camera: "She's crying for two reasons - one, she couldn't take my body shot and 2: she's a bona fide stepping stone! I TOLD you it would be easy - I knew I'd sweep her aside and..." on and on - Virginia wincing as Mary piles eagerly on, making Rachel an evermore implacable enemy with every word.