Natasha Liu Bordizzo vs Madelaine Petsch

BEFORE:

It's redhead vs. brunette in this battle of prospects, one that sees brunette Bordizzo, who grabbed management late last year and has already put up five wins against a single loss, looking to keep redhead Petsch's recent losing streak going. Unlike Natasha, Madelaine's career hasn't started with a bang. The redhead lost five of her first six, but she showed something under management by Queens of Absolution with results against Brie Larson, and, after a pair of losses to Larson and Gomez, she's looking to get back on track tonight. "I've been in against top girls," Madelaine says with a smile. "SHE is not a top girl."

"What Petsch is about to find out," says a hard-eyed Bordizzo, "Is that I might not be elite...yet, but I'm already good enough to beat HER."

ROUND ONE:

Hot and heavy early on. Both of these fighters are aggressive, and that shows in the early going as the ladies step to and get the heavy leather flying. Bordizzo lands some solid shot early, backing up Madelaine, but, while that might be enough to spook some girls, it's not having that effect on Petsch. Instead, the redhead fires right back, giving as good as she gets, in an action-packed stanza that sees heads snapping back and sweat flying. There's not a ton in it, as both women get work done, but some good work early and a couple of late flurries that force the redhead to her back foot claim the points for Bordizzo, who grabs the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

More of the same. Both fighters aggressive and effectively so. Nobody getting sloppy. It's all sound stuff, with accurate leather being exchanged and good defense being played. Nobody's hurt despite efforts aimed at exactly that, but everybody's getting touched up, as both brunette and redhead land solid shot for the entire three minutes. Again, there's not a lot in it. At moments, it's Bordizzo who's getting work done. At others, it's Petsch, and, when you add it up, nobody's really gaining the upper hand, again, despite efforts aimed at exactly that. Final few seconds sees Madelaine land a nice combination ending with a straight right hand that snaps back Natasha's head, and that's juuuusssttt enough to give the redhead the points and even things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Pattern is set. Aggression the name of the game as, once again, brunette and redhead get after one another in one of the most crowd-pleasing fights of the evening. And, once again, there's not much in...BOOM! Right hand, BORDIZZO and Madelaine is HURT! Petsch wobbles, nearly goes down, and Bordizzo? She goes ALL IN, winging away at the redhead, backing her up to the ropes and buying in BULK as Madelaine puts the body on sale. Petsch trying to run clock here, but Natasha wise to that strategy. She's working downstairs, yes, but going back up, before digging more body, looking for the finisher while piling up points and hurt. At the bell, Madelaine is still standing, but Bordizzo has it wide and leads 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Bordizzo right at Petsch early, backing up the redhead with solid shot...BOOM! Right hand COUNTER Madelaine and NATASHA is hurt! Fight changes on a dime as the redhead keyholes a counter that leaves Bordizzo ALL WOBBLY BUTT! Madelaine quickly over to the offensive. She's letting the hands go, driving all before her. Bordizzo quickly trapped on the ropes and being paid back with interest for the damage she inflicted to head and body last round. Petsch looking to finish as the brunette seems ready to go, but Natasha holding on grimly, clinching, covering up, doing just enough to keep the ref at bay to the bell. When it rings, Madelaine has it wide and we're even at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Bordizzo in retreat early. She's still clearly buzzed and Madelaine knows it. Redhead setting the brunette up for the fall here, working the jab, dropping hard right hands behind it. She's staying sound, playing this smart, taking full advantage of being in control without giving Natasha any openings to turn this thing around. It's great stuff from Petsch, who's clinically taking Bordizzo apart for over two minutes before...BOOM! Right hand, MADELAINE AND DOWN GOES NATASHA! Bordizzo spilled to her back after a BLISTERING right from Petsch. Redhead to a neutral corner to watch and wait. Natasha staring wide-eyed up at the ref as the numbers get higher. She rolls to her belly at seven, pushes to hands and knees at nine, but is still on all fours as the count passes her by. It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Madelaine Petsch!

AFTER:

Redhead scuffed but smiling in the post. "I showed last year," Petsch says with a smile, "That I can compete with...and beat...the best girls at bantam. All I need are the fights. And, I've got the management to get them for me. The sky's the limit for this girl. The sky's the limit."