Kate Upton vs. Irina Shayk

BEFORE:

Pretty big contrast in the careers of these two models, but, an argument could be made that, while they've ended up in vastly different places, it wasn't always going to be that way. Upton, after all, despite flashing a ton of potential, suffered through tough losses early and had a .500 record after four years in the FCBA. Then, her management collapsed. And, she immediately signed with Lookout! The rest is history, with Kate rising to be a six-time champion, arguably the FCBA's biggest star, and a woman mentioned prominently every time a pound-for-pound discussion takes place.

For Irina, there's been no breakthrough, only a short run in a short-lived stable. And, at 34, it's getting late for her. But, she's still a believer. And, she's well aware what a big win over the likes of Upton might do. "I've ALWAYS been better than her. She never messed with me on shoots. She KNEW better. Well, she got all the breaks. And, now she's a big deal? But, she made a mistake. Because, I'm going to prove to everyone what everyone knew on those shoots. Kate isn't tough enough to handle me."

"I was about to say that Irinia COULD have had a better career if she'd gotten great management like me," says Kate with a shake of the head. "But, she wants to talk trash? OK. I'm going to trash HER. How's that?"


ROUND ONE:

Shayk clearly believing the hype. She's not content to stay at gunnery range. She's stepping to the blonde, looking to back her up with heavy fire. BOOM! Well. That didn't go as planned. Right hand, UPTON and Irina is HURT. Shayk all wobbly-butt as Upton lets the hands go, drives the Russian beauty before her, traps her against the ropes, and begins hammering away. Irina in a high, tight guard, firing back here and there, but mostly taking as the blonde gets off lusty with both hands. Kate letting out some hate, and it may be counter productive. She's getting a little sloppy, missing some badly, giving the brunette some openings to bang back, and frustrating the blonde's own efforts to finish. At the bell, there's no doubt about it. Upton has it wide. But Shayk is still standing.

ROUND TWO:

Kate rolling. Upton's settled down some now after hearing it in the corner between rounds. Now, she's not getting sloppy at all. Instead, it's clinical stuff. She's backing the still-wobbly Shayk up, using the jab to set up hard right hands. Irina trying to engage in a fighting retreat, but that's about all she can manage at the moment. All the early impudence gone with the legs as the blonde thoroughly controls the proceedings. Shayk's game, and she manages a hard counter or two here and there, but, most of the round is a reminder of why Upton has the nickname "Kate The Great". This is just awesome stuff, and it looks almost effortless as she thumps the brunette around the ring, trapping her on the ropes late to deal out some additional punishment until the bell rings. When it does, it's Kate wide and up 20-18.

ROUND THREE:

Upton continuing to control things, stepping in behind the jab, backing up Shayk, piling up both points and punishment. Kate's got everything rolling. Until she doesn't. RIGHT HAND, IRINA at the half way point! What a counter and Upton's wobbling and stumbling and nearly going down! And Irina quickly shifts out of reverse into full forward as she lets the hands go and drives a dazed blonde up against the ropes. And, now all the frustration comes out! The brunette is absolutely ABUSING the blonde, working her over to both head and body. And, then. RACK! Hup-hup stuff from the brunette as Kate keeps the guard high, tries to keep the elbows tight, looks to ride this out as the brunette hammers her pride and joy viciously. Final few seconds sees a hard right from Irina that wobbles Kate again. But, before much can come of it, the bell rings. Shayk's big second half has claimed the round and cut Upton's lead to 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Irina in charge now. She's backing Upton up with every flurry. Kate trying to clinch to slow the brunette down, but it's not happening. Shayk's digging body, shoving off, backing up the blonde again and again. And, she's punishing that rack every chance she gets. Upton digs some jug in response here and there, but she's mostly suppressed as Irina calls the tune and thumps the blonde all around the ring. Kate's trapped on the cables about a minute and a half in. She manages to wrestle free, but is soon right back against the ropes as Irina gets off lusty, digging more jug while landing hard shot upstairs. Final thirty seconds sees the blonde begin banging back in kind as she seems to shake the worst of the damage. What follows are some of the best exchanges of the fight and quite the staredown as the bell rings. It's Irina wide, and we're even at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

HERE. WE. GO. Those big trades from the end of the last round? Turned up to ELEVEN as we start the fifth! Irina determined to reimpose will and Kate NOT HAVING ANY. Result is HAMMER AND TONGS stuff right in the middle of the ring! Absolute BOMBS being thrown, but nobody willing to take a step back. BOOM! Right hand, Kate The Great and DOWN GOES IRINA! An absolutely BOOMING right from the blonde and the brunette ragdolls to her back, bouncing once before coming to rest. Upton thrusts the arms in the air and strides to a neutral corner confident in what she's done. Ref goes ahead and counts, but it's clearly a formality. Brunette is NOT getting up from that. She's both down and OUT and still exactly where she landed when the count reaches ten. It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Kate Upton!

AFTER:

Upton clearly a little scuffed and it's not just her face that's starting to bruise. But the blonde manages that lovely smile. "I knew she'd do that," she says with a shake of the head. "She should have tried boxing me. It wouldn't have worked, but, if you're going to come straight at me and SLUG? I mean, nobody in the FCBA is getting away with that. Nobody."