PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Barbosa (ranked 1198 p4p, 63 weight class) and Giuseppe Amodei (ranked 1407 p4p, 73 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barbosa
vs
Amodei

165 cm
24
137 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

165 cm
27
140 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giuseppe Amodei!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Amodei throws a right hand that misses
and Barbosa counters with a left to the body.
Barbosa misses with a body shot.
Amodei avoids the head kick by Barbosa.
Amodei drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Amodei misses with a few strikes there.
Amodei fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Barbosa throws a nice head kick!
Barbosa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A big right from Barbosa misses.
Barbosa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Amodei dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barbosa. That did some damage!
Barbosa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Amodei on the side of the head.
Barbosa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Amodei fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Barbosa sprawls well initially but Amodei persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Amodei is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barbosa defends it well.

Amodei is looking for a kimura but Barbosa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Amodei to get the leverage.
Barbosa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Barbosa trying to control here.
Amodei wants to advance to full mount but Barbosa doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Barbosa working a defensive guard here.

Barbosa has his foot on Amodei's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Amodei works his way back into a safe position though.
Barbosa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Amodei is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Amodei doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Amodei manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barbosa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Amodei's guard.

Barbosa trying to control but Amodei is working from the bottom.

Amodei working for a triangle but Barbosa defends it easily.
Barbosa looking to pass the guard.
Barbosa pushing down on Amodei's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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 is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Amodei has managed to free his arm - good work.

Barbosa wants to work for an arm triangle but Amodei is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Amodei is trying to get back to full guard.

Amodei looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Barbosa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Barbosa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Amodei wants to get back to full guard.

Amodei looking for submissions off his back.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura but Amodei is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barbosa to get the leverage.
Barbosa is thwarting Amodei's attempts to control the position.

Barbosa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Amodei is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barbosa pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcelo Barbosa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Barbosa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A slow jab from Barbosa misses its intended target.
That kick from Amodei tenderised Barbosa's leg. Barbosa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barbosa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Amodei.
Barbosa jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Amodei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barbosa was well out of range. Poor timing from Amodei.
Amodei loads up on a big right hand but Barbosa slips the punch.
Barbosa falls off balance throwing a combination
and Amodei counters with a right hand to the body.
Amodei misses with a straight right.
Amodei throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Barbosa misses
letting Amodei counter with a right hand.
Amodei swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Barbosa.
Barbosa misses with a body shot.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Amodei moves out of range.
Barbosa misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amodei scores with a leg kick.
Amodei scores with the left hand. Barbosa knows he should have avoided that one.
Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Amodei was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Amodei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barbosa.
Barbosa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A low kick from Barbosa misses

and Amodei counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Barbosa looking for submissions off his back.

Barbosa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Amodei is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Amodei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barbosa keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa actively working from the bottom here.

Barbosa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Barbosa is defending against the submission attempts here by Amodei.
Amodei frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barbosa working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa has given up his back. Will we see Amodei going for some submissions?
Amodei gets his hands free as Barbosa looks to control.

Amodei working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Barbosa turns into Amodei and is now in his guard.
Amodei keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully.

Barbosa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Amodei controls Barbosa momentarily but Barbosa frees himself.

Amodei looking for a guillotine here but Barbosa defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa pushing down on Amodei's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbosa wants to pass to mount but Amodei is defending the position.
Amodei moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Barbosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Amodei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Amodei looking to control.
Amodei keeping full guard, as Barbosa tries to pass.
Barbosa advances to half guard.
And that’s 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 the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Amodei looks for the body kick but Barbosa saw that one coming.
A shot to the liver by Barbosa. Beautiful body shot.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Amodei doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Barbosa throws a jab but it's blocked by Amodei.
Barbosa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barbosa dives in and grabs Amodei's left leg, looking for a takedown. Amodei pushes down on Barbosa's head and hops out.
Amodei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barbosa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice jab there from Barbosa.
Amodei looks for the body kick but Barbosa saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Amodei.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Amodei moves out of range.
Amodei throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Amodei lands an overhand right.
Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Amodei was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Amodei looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amodei throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Barbosa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Barbosa swings for the body but Amodei moves out of range.
Amodei's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Amodei duly obliges.
Barbosa tries to move into range but Amodei moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Amodei scores with a nice body kick.
Barbosa takes one to the side of the head.
Amodei tries to land a front kick but Barbosa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbosa backing away here, and Amodei unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Barbosa throws a looping overhand right but Amodei ducks down to avoid it.
Amodei with the counter takedown but Barbosa avoids it easily.
Amodei jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barbosa misses the shot to the body.
Barbosa throws a right hand that misses
and Amodei counters with a straight right hand.
Barbosa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut lands for Amodei. That snapped Barbosa's head back.
Amodei throws a nice inside leg kick.
Barbosa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Amodei connects with a body shot.
Amodei throws a push kick but Barbosa slaps the foot to one side.
Amodei just misses with a punch to the body.
Amodei lands with a nice body kick.
Barbosa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Amodei's hands.
Barbosa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Barbosa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Barbosa uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Amodei has time to react.
Amodei lands with an overhand left.
Amodei throws a body shot but no joy.
Amodei connects with a looping right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Giuseppe Amodei seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbosa throws a leg kick but Amodei checks it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Amodei.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Barbosa.
Amodei is looking to slow Barbosa down with leg kicks.
Amodei throws a jab but it's blocked by Barbosa.
Amodei uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Amodei! But no joy.
Barbosa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barbosa looks to land a left hand but Amodei moved out of range nicely.
Amodei has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Amodei swings for the body but Barbosa moves out of range.
Barbosa throws a sloppy head kick and Amodei moves out of range easily.
Amodei avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa misses the shot to the body.
Amodei keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Amodei looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Amodei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barbosa was well out of range. Poor timing from Amodei.
Barbosa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Amodei lands a front kick.
Barbosa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Amodei's hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Amodei.
Barbosa throws a body shot but no joy.
Amodei slips under a jab.
Amodei cracks a nice hook into Barbosa's ribs.
Barbosa tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Barbosa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Amodei sprawls well. Amodei wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barbosa gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Giuseppe Amodei.
Well Amodei has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giuseppe Amodei!
Giuseppe Amodei thanked the fans post fight for their support.