PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denis Denisov (ranked 5273 p4p, 3858 weight class) and Giuseppe Amodei (ranked 505 p4p, 431 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Denisov
vs
Amodei

167 cm
31
140
10 - 21 - 2

165 cm
42
140
28 - 22 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 22 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giuseppe Amodei!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Amodei throws a body kick that misses.
Denisov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Amodei scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Amodei misses with a low kick.
Denisov is looking to counter punch.
Denisov throws a nice looking combination but Amodei bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A bone on bone clash there as Denisov blocks the leg kick.
Amodei sizes up Denisov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Giuseppe Amodei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Denisov misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Denisov does no damage.

Denisov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Denisov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Amodei is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Denisov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Amodei is trying to get back to half guard.
Amodei takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Denisov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov grinds an elbow into Amodei's temple.
Denisov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Denisov working the body and head with strikes.
Amodei sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Denisov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Amodei is looking to control Denisov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Amodei avoid being mounted?
Amodei moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Denisov landing with the ground and pound.
Denisov connects with a couple of short punches.
Denisov trying to control but Amodei is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Denisov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Amodei keeping moving, preventing Denisov from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denisov lands a couple of digs.
Denisov is in close to Amodei's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Denisov trying to control but Amodei is working from the bottom.
Denisov preventing the sweep.

Denisov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Denisov tries to clinch but Amodei moves out of range.
Denisov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Amodei tries to avoid it but Denisov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Amodei to the ground. Amodei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amodei connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Denisov's hands.
Amodei thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Amodei. Denisov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Amodei throws a body kick that misses.
A low kick from Denisov is predictable there

and Amodei counters by clinching up.
Denisov blocks an uppercut.

Denisov successfully pulls guard.
Denisov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Amodei controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Denisov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Denisov seems keen to control Amodei's posture.
Amodei trying to control the position from guard on top but Denisov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denisov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Denisov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Denisov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Denisov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Amodei connects with a looping right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Denisov. Those never looked like landing.
Amodei throws a low kick, looking for Denisov's leg but Denisov calmly moves out of range.
Denisov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Denisov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Amodei tries to avoid it but Denisov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Amodei to the ground. Amodei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Amodei gets caught napping as Denisov dives in and scores a takedown. Amodei manages to retain guard.
Amodei working a defensive guard here.
Denisov cracks Amodei with a solid left hand.
Denisov stopping the sweep attempt from Amodei.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Denisov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Amodei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denisov was well out of range. Poor timing from Amodei.
Denisov checks the leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Amodei finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Denisov is looking to clinch but Amodei is avoiding it.
Amodei throws a body punch but Denisov moves out of range.
Denisov tries to clinch there but Amodei circles away.
Amodei scores with a decent looking hook.
Amodei misses with a low kick.
Amodei throws a head kick but Denisov moves out of range.
Amodei throws a chopping leg kick but Denisov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Amodei connects with a good right hand that stumbles Denisov. Denisov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Amodei lands a glancing blow to the side of Denisov's head.
Amodei throws a looping overhand right but Denisov ducks down to avoid it.
Denisov checks a low kick from Amodei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Amodei there.
Denisov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No luck for Denisov with that takedown attempt.
Denisov blocks a leg kick.

Denisov moves into the clinch successfully.
Denisov is looking for a takedown.
Amodei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Denisov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Amodei just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Denisov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Denisov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Amodei gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but Amodei turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Denisov blocking some punches.
Amodei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Amodei tries to work over Denisov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Denisov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Amodei tries to throw a body punch but Denisov avoids it by throwing Amodei back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Denisov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Amodei pushes Denisov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Amodei lands with a nice body punch.
Denisov ducks under a wild hook from Amodei.
Denisov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Amodei.
Amodei misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Denisov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Amodei.
Denisov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Denisov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Denisov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Denisov fails to land the takedown.
A swing and a miss from Amodei.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Amodei with a hook.
Amodei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice leg kick from Amodei, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab from Denisov misses.
Denis Denisov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Denisov blocks a low kick nicely.
Denisov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Amodei.
Denisov shoots for a takedown but Amodei saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Denisov fails with a takedown attempt.
Denisov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Amodei.
Amodei throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov throws a series of punches but Amodei moves out of range.
Giuseppe Amodei seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Denisov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Amodei, pushing him back against the cage.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Amodei holds him up against the cage and eventually Denisov drops back down to his feet.
Denisov blocks an uppercut.
Amodei misses with some punches.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Amodei forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Denisov is looking for a takedown.
Denisov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Amodei smiles and moves away.
Denisov is looking to clinch but Amodei is avoiding it.
Denisov wants to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Amodei.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Giuseppe Amodei showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Amodei looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Amodei throws a leg kick
and Denisov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Denisov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A low kick lands for Amodei.
Amodei misses with a low kick.
Denisov moves out of range as Amodei strikes.
Denisov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Amodei avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Amodei swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Denisov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Amodei. Amodei obviously looking to wear him down.
A slow jab from Amodei misses its intended target.
Denisov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Amodei finds it's way through Denisov's defenses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Amodei.
Amodei misses with a low kick.
Denisov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Amodei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice leg kick from Amodei, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amodei throws a leg kick which misses Denisov's front leg but catches the back leg as Denisov tries to avoid it.
Amodei throws out a leg kick but Denisov moves out of range and Amodei only half commits.
Denisov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Amodei.
Amodei pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Amodei avoids a punch combination nicely.
Denisov checks a low kick from Amodei.
Denisov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Denisov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Amodei takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Denisov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Amodei.
Denisov tries to clinch up.
Amodei throws a good cross that connects.
Denisov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Amodei checks it well.
Amodei misses with a wild body shot.
Amodei is looking to slow Denisov down with leg kicks.
Amodei fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Denisov blocks a body shot from Amodei.
Amodei tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Denisov's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Amodei fails to land.
Amodei misses with a short punch on the inside.
Amodei throws a head punch that misses.
Denisov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Denisov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Amodei just stands there and leans against the cage.
I was talking to Denisov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Amodei goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Denisov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Amodei swings wildly with an uppercut but Denisov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Denisov fails to pull guard.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amodei throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Amodei has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Denisov regains guard immediately.
Denisov lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Amodei pushes down on Denisov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Amodei trying to pass the guard but Denisov defending well.
Denisov trying to control from the bottom.
Denisov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Denisov missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Denisov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Denisov trying to keep a closed guard but Amodei is proving a slippery customer.
Amodei stopping the sweep attempt from Denisov.
Denisov keeping full guard, as Amodei tries to pass.
Amodei sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Denisov's guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Denisov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Giuseppe Amodei comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Amodei has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giuseppe Amodei!
After the fight, Giuseppe Amodei was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.