Izabel Goulart vs Bianca Balti
(Brazil vs Italy)
(2-2, 2 KO vs 2-1, 2 KO)
Results: BBU; Story: Vassago

BEFORE:

It's debatable whether Izabel Goulart can emerge as a lightweight contender anytime soon but the Brazilian model apparently counts on some partisan bonus points that would help her to book a title clash against countywoman Alessandra Ambrosio before the year is over. That's the main purpose of her tonight's appearance as she headlines the Cardiff HQ undercard with Ambrosio a betting favorite to defend her straps versus Jessica Clements in the Main Event.

Izabel has knocked Elisabetta Canalis out in her last bout however Bianca Balti is both younger and more skilled than her Italian compatriot according to BBU TV's Denise van Outen so Goulart's plan might yet suffer a ruthless reality-check tonight which is also confirmed by the betting odds. Izzy isn't a runaway favorite by any means regardless of her aggressive attitude during the pre-fight introductions. Meanwhile Balti responds in equally dismissive manner and tries to punch Izzy in the gut during the staredown which forces a small delay before we finally get underway!

Izabel Goulart wears a yellow bikni set & blue gloves. Long dark brown hair tied in a curled ponytail. Bianca Balti wears a black bikini set with silver trim & red gloves. Long dark brown hair tied in a sleek ponytail. The fight is scheduled for ten rounds in the lightweight division.

Round 1:
The intensity picks up quickly as both women settle into a head-hunting dispute that develops a mind over matter variety without actually leading into instant success. Bianca shows a little better execution as she knocks Izabel's head back more frequently but gets caught out with a vicious hook across the boobs which allows the Brazilian to stuck in more punches when both models keeps pounding away in close range. Bianca wants to knock Izzy's head off but eats too much leather on the chest and wobbles forward while Goulart cleans out her midsection and pinches the Italian onto the ropes. Balti prevents more trouble by clinching the fellow brunette and Izabel's vocally upset about it but the clock expires moments later anyway.

Round 2:
Another head-hunting pursuit marks the opening phase of the round but this time Bianca bends Izabel to the side when she scythes her across the nose and adds a lip-bursting double that forces the Brazilian backwards. Izzy tries to find success in mid-distance but Balti's intensity proves superior and enables her to land more crisp head shots that keep Goulart on the back foot. In fact the older brunette struggles to mount a meaningful series which reeling so much around the ring and has Bianca scowling in anger when the intended head hunt is prematurely interrupted by the bell.

Round 3:
Izzy forces a phone booth dispute and keeps landing the better shots on the Italian's rack before a thumping uppercut on the jaw sends Bianca onto her heels. A quick overhand follows and nails the younger brunette on the chin before Goulart powers ahead with more uppercuts from point-blank range. Now it's time for Bianca to seek respite in mid-range and once again the chaser lacks outright mobility to trap the reeling foe with a proper leather assault. Izabel also gets verbal in her anger but Bianca refuses to blink and keeps throwing single punches from afar that slow the tempo of this contest right down. It's still too close to call after three and Denise van Outen reckons durability could well decide it all.

Rounds 4 & 5:
Both models dish out more head-hunting punishment but the designated power-hitting script lacks accuracy and maybe indicates neither of these girls should be thinking about Alessandra Ambrosio anytime soon. Huff & puff stuff takes the dispute nowhere until Izabel finds a pesky uppercut series on the rack that visibly bothers the Italian brunette and gives the Brazilian that all important edge. That's not enough to really hurt Bianca but she appears to be losing her temper and gets lectured when she almost wrestles Goulart down in one of her clinching attempts gone rogue. Both women then clash heads and the fight turns downright ugly when Izabel almost shoves her rival through the ropes late in the fifth! Ugh! "Put them in some jello wrestling!", Denise van Outen isn't exactly thrilled to see this back & forth slugfest that lacks elements of this thing called boxing.

Round 6:
We have some boxing again when Izabel nails Bianca on the mouth early in the sixth and follows through to tear a bloody patch on the upper lip that triggers a furious response from the Italian model. Bianca eyes a swift haymaker to knock Goulart's head off but gets caught again from the inside and soaks up a nasty uppercut on the jaw before Izzy takes off and wraps her in a proper leather storm from both flanks... she nails Balti on both temples several times and when the girl wobbles forward with a whimper she has no chance to avoid a jaw-breaker that LIFTS HER OFF THE CANVAS and sends crashing down flat on her back! Ugh! Bianca hits her head really hard and appears woozy even when she makes a desperate recovery at eight. Izzy wants to knock her lights out regardless and the ref gives the aching Balti another opportunity but now it's just a one-sided beating as Izabel adds a couple of fresh cuts around both eyes and pummels the wounded foe back to the turnbuckle where Bianca gives up the ghost following a nasty uppercut double on the jaw... SHE GOES DOWN ONTO HER KNEES and bends her head against the canvas while the ref declares the fight OVER! KO6 Izabel Goulart!!!

AFTER: "Someone gonna question my raw power now? Huh? Tell me I'm not ready for Alessandra or ANYONE else in this division!", Izzy shouts back at the ref and tries to find a new enemy somewhere in the crowd: "I know these Girls Friday can hear me! I' not going anywhere!" Denise van Outen finds the sudden outrage a little bemusing and indicates she called out Belen Rodriguez last time out already: "How about taking both Belen AND Elisabetta Gregoraci before trying to make a run at our champion!"

That sounds too logical to be true but Izabel soon calms down and admits she needs at least a couple of wins more before she can emerge as top lightweight contender. She then watches as the medical crew tries to revive a semi-conscious Bianca Balti off the boards. "I still blew her doors right OFF!!" (laughs). Not bad for a mere undercard! Huh! I feel like I can fight again next week already! So, what is Belen doing anyway?" (giggles).

Final result: Izabel Goulart def. Bianca Balti KO6.