"She's gotten some attention in the ring and out of it, so I'm very happy to face her," commented Nicki Minaj shortly after the announcement that she would fight English singer Ellie Goulding. "And she's beautiful on top of that. I think she just needs to keep showing up and she'll go places. Of course, I don't show up to fights without a plan to win." 

Ellie Goulding herself drew mixed reviews as a boxer, with three wins on the other side of the Atlantic followed by a loss to high ranked Allison Mack. "I may have bitten off more than I could chew my first time in the FCBA, but Nicki is the perfect opponent for me. No pushover, but not too complicated either." 

Though both fighters had predicted victory over the other, the setup proceeded without issues. Minaj, in pink trunks and bra, warmed up in a businesslike manner, while Goulding, in silver athletic wear, had a quiet last minute discussion with her crew. 

Round 1: 

Despite the subdued setup, the action started off at a high point as Minaj came out at full power, seemingly intending to have a very short fight. Unfortunately for the shorter woman, the actual results seemed to predict a short fight as she had planned, but one that Goulding would win. The pretty blonde was able to hold up under Minaj's attack, taking some punishment, but avoiding the worst, and when she responded she sent an already off-balance Minaj stumbling back. Minaj caught herself before Goulding could finish the fight in record time, but the rapper was one step behind Goulding, who pummeled her until the bell with only minor opposition. 

Round 2: 

Minaj pulled back significantly in the second round, trading taps as both fighters looked for an opening. Despite Minaj's greater self preservation, Goulding found her opening first, landing a blow to the head and a substantial follow up. Minaj continued to resist, but Goulding regularly broke through her guard, leaving the rapper bruised and weary at the bell. 

Round 3: 

In the third round, Minaj continued to play it safe, this time offering few opportunities for Goulding. The rapper frustrated her blonde rival's offense and pushed the odd blow through where possible. Goulding was dangerous enough to prevent Minaj from accomplishing much, but anything was an improvement from the perspective of Minaj's corner. 

Round 4: 

The fight continued to be a tight contest in the fourth round, as both fighters pushed for a breakthrough. Neither truly pulled it off. Control gently swayed back and forth between the two for the duration, with the final point advantage going to Goulding. Neither corner seemed particularly happy with the result. 

Round 5: 

The fighters had dug in by the start of the fifth, anticipating a drawn out struggle. The opening of the round saw just that, but as the round progressed both boxers were pushing harder for a bigger win. The first break favored Minaj, and the rapper's follow up was strong enough to cancel any plans Goulding had for a second break. The blonde singer was in a dangerous place as Minaj's fists pounded her. Momentum remained on Minaj's side until the bell, but Goulding could still threaten if given the chance. 

Round 6: 

Goulding rejoined the fight looking much sturdier, weaving about and trading punches with Minaj until the midpoint. However, when Minaj took control again, Goulding had a more difficult time recovering. Once weakened, Goulding could not keep Minaj from pounding her midsection and chasing her down. Towards the end of the round, Goulding's final, flailing attempts at driving Minaj off left the taller blonde wide open -- three blows in quick succession knocked her head about, leaving her mouth open and eyes unfocused as she fell forward. Goulding spent the duration of the count, plus extra, on her hands and knees, giving Minaj the KO6 win. 

Goulding was up and about shortly, though too dazed to do much of anything. Minaj allowed the beaten woman her rest, now in red carpet mode thanks to the end of the match. "She did well, for a while," said the victorious fighter to the press, brushing off her opponent's success. "But good fighters can get hit and keep going. I could, she couldn't."