IT was the fight Isabella Torresan wasn't supposed to win.
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Going up against multiple state title holder Katie Mitchell for the 66kg NSW Martial Arts Sports Association (MASA) belt, Torresan needed something very special if she was to claim her first state muay thai belt.
But the hours of training paid off for the Pollets Martial Arts Bathurst fighter.
In a points decision Torresan came out on top after the five rounds of action, delivering her the biggest win in her career to date.
"It's the best Christmas present I could ask for. It took a lot of preparation, time and effort, waking up every morning at 5 o'clock until night to train and then training at night. It was totally worth it," she said.
"Especially when it was against someone so experienced. She is the upcoming girl. I was very fortunate to share the ring with her and
Both fighters took their time to assess each other's style in the opening few rounds but from rounds three to five Torresan took the initiative.
"The first round was quite even, feeling each other out, which is typical. In the second round I felt like I got ahead a little bit with constant pressure, which is what Hanshi [Ian Pollet] taught me. In rounds three, four and five I took it home," she said.
"I think once you can feel they're breaking down that's when you know that you have them. That's when you find the edge to keep going and work for the win.
"I'm hoping to go to nationals next and look Australia wide but we'll just see how it plays out. It just depends on getting a match now. Whoever wants to fight I'll fight. That's the sport."
Next on the agenda for Torresan will be International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) titles next month.
"That'll give me another run to see where I'm at," Torresan said.
"My passion lies across all disciplines as a martial artist. I love them all. I can't pick just one. Whatever I fight in I try my best to be the champion."
It was a double dose of success for Pollets Bathurst as Luke Ayoub won his muay thai clash on the same night.