PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kostya Tszyu (ranked 2008 p4p, 2607 weight class) and Giuseppe Amodei (ranked 198 p4p, 244 weight class). Tszyu kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Till the End of Time. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tszyu
vs
Amodei

185 cm
35
160
27 - 14 - 4

165 cm
32
140
13 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Kore Fight Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 14 - 4, fighting out of London, Kostya Tszyu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giuseppe Amodei!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tszyu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Amodei misses with the head strike.
Tszyu misses with the head strike.
Tszyu can't find room to land a body shot as Amodei controls the action.
Amodei throws a head punch that misses.
Tszyu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Amodei throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tszyus head.
Tszyu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tszyu landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Amodei.
Amodei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tszyu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tszyu misses with some punches.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu throws a punch but it's blocked by Amodei.
Amodei lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Amodei softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Amodei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amodei lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Amodei managing to block the knees to the body from Tszyu.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
A short left from Amodei.
Amodei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tszyu misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Amodei misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
A head punch on the inside from Amodei fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
A head punch on the inside from Amodei fails to land.
Amodei makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tszyu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tszyu misses with some punches.
Tszyu lands a hook that snaps the head of Amodei backwards.
Tszyu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Tszyu.
Amodei blocks an uppercut.
Tszyu lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Amodei backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Amodei fails to land.
Tszyu misses with a punch to the body.
Amodei throws a punch but it's blocked by Tszyu.
Tszyu blocks an uppercut.
Amodei blocking some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tszyu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tszyu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Amodei's elbow.
Amodei misses with a punch on the inside.
Tszyu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tszyu lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Amodei misses with some punches.
Tszyu lands a good knee to the midsection. Amodei won't want to take too many of those.
Tszyu misses with a body punch.
Tszyu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Amodei backwards.
Still in the clinch, Tszyu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tszyu throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Tszyu misses with a punch to the body.
Amodei misses with some punches.
Tszyu lands with a light punch inside.
Tszyu struggles to land a body shot inside as Amodei controls his hands.
Tszyu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tszyu.
Amodei lands with a right to the head.
Tszyu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tszyu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tszyu blocking some punches.
Amodei misses with the head strike.
Amodei swings wildly with an uppercut but Tszyu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Amodei lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Tszyu fails to land.
Amodei blocks a body shot from Tszyu.
Amodei blocks an uppercut.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Amodei lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Amodei blocking some punches.
Tszyu landing knees to the head.

Amodei pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tszyu lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Amodei wants to clinch up but Tszyu keeps it at a distance.
Giuseppe Amodei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Amodei checks a leg kick nicely.
Tszyu tries to land a leg kick but Amodei saw it coming and moves away.

Amodei darts in and clinches Tszyu up against the cage.
Tszyu lands a body punch in the clinch.
Amodei lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Still in the clinch, Tszyu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tszyu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tszyu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Amodei misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Amodei fails to land.
Amodei misses with a hook from the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Amodei lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tszyu tries to land knees in the clinch but Amodei avoids the damage to the body.
Tszyu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tszyu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu lands a nice knee to the body.
Amodei lands with a light punch inside.
Amodei working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Amodei takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Giuseppe Amodei has been cut.
Tszyu blocking some punches.
A short body shot lands from Tszyu as the two fighters clinch.
Tszyu lands a knee to the body.
Tszyu connects with a nasty looking knee right to Amodei's face.
Tszyu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Amodei is defending well for now.
Tszyu lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tszyu lands a left hand.
Amodei misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tszyu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tszyu misses with a body punch.
Tszyu tries to land knees in the clinch but Amodei avoids the damage to the body.
Amodei has a couple of punches blocked by Tszyu.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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 Kostya Tszyu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Giuseppe Amodei's cut.
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.

Amodei has managed to clinch.
Amodei misses with a punch on the inside.
Tszyu swings wildly with an uppercut but Amodei uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amodei.
Amodei swings wildly with an uppercut but Tszyu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostya Tszyu has scored more points in the clinch so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amodei.
Tszyu lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Tszyu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Amodei or not.
Amodei blocks a body shot from Tszyu.
Amodei misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu working Amodei over with knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tszyu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amodei throws a head punch that misses.
Tszyu with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tszyu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Amodei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tszyu lands a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Amodei misses with some punches.
Amodei misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tszyu landing knees to the body.
Amodei is breathing heavily.
Amodei throws a head punch that misses.
Tszyu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Amodei is defending well for now.
Tszyu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tszyu lands with a short shot to the head.
Amodei throws a punch but it's blocked by Tszyu.
Tszyu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tszyu pushes Amodei back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tszyu lands a hook that snaps the head of Amodei backwards.
A short right from Amodei.
Amodei misses with a punch on the inside.
Amodei throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Tszyu.
Amodei throws a punch but it's blocked by Tszyu.
Tszyu scores with a shot to the side of Amodei's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Amodei on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tszyu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Amodei.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Amodei blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tszyu lands a right hand.
Amodei avoiding damage as Tszyu throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Amodei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tszyu can't find room to land a body shot as Amodei controls the action.
Amodei working aggressively here.
Tszyu missing with knees to the body.
Tszyu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tszyu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tszyu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Amodei swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Amodei lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Amodei fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Amodei can do to turn this around?
Tszyu's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tszyu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tszyu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu looking to throw knees to the head but Amodei is blocking nicely.
Amodei working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tszyu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Amodei blocks it with crossed arms.
Amodei misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Amodei is defending well for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amodei.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Amodei misses with the head strike.
A short right from Amodei.
Tszyu blocking some punches.
Tszyu takes a shot to the head.
Amodei misses with the head strike.
Amodei lands with a left to the head.
A short uppercut from Amodei.
Tszyu lands a nice shot to the body.
Amodei lands a hook that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Amodei blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amodei prevents a body shot from Tszyu.
A short right from Amodei on the inside.
Amodei lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Tszyu lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tszyu lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Amodei.
Tszyu pushes Amodei back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Amodei prevents a body shot from Tszyu.
Tszyu blocks an uppercut.
Amodei pushes Tszyu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tszyu lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Amodei.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Amodei misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tszyu blocks an uppercut.
Tszyu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Amodei's elbow.
Tszyu tries a body shot but Amodei blocks it.
Tszyu tries a body shot but Amodei blocks it.
Amodei avoiding damage as Tszyu throws knees to the body.
Amodei takes a shot to the head.
Tszyu blocking some punches.
Amodei lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amodei.
Amodei has a couple of punches blocked by Tszyu.
A head punch on the inside from Amodei fails to land.
Tszyu tries to work over Amodei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tszyu lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tszyu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tszyu struggles to land a body shot inside as Amodei controls his hands.
Tszyu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Amodei is defending well for now.
Amodei has a couple of punches blocked by Tszyu.
Tszyu scores with a shot to the side of Amodei's head.
Tszyu blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kostya Tszyu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Giuseppe Amodei's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Amodei is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tszyu digs a good hook to Amodei's body.
Tszyu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Amodei tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Tszyu counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tszyu works over Amodei's head and body with a nice combination.
Amodei fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Amodei backs away, Tszyu returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tszyu!
Amodei wants to clinch up but Tszyu keeps it at a distance.

Amodei gets a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Amodei throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Amodei sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tszyu defending well though.
Tszyu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Amodei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amodei missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Amodei thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tszyu's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tszyu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Amodei.
Tszyu regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Amodei.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Amodei in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tszyu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Amodei missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Amodei stands up over Tszyu, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Amodei prevents Tszyu from getting back to his feet.
Tszyu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Amodei throws a big elbow that misses.
Tszyu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Giuseppe Amodei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amodei scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Amodei is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Amodei with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Amodei accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Amodei is looking to work some ground and pound but Tszyu has wrist control.
Amodei throwing strikes but missing.
Amodei chips away with some ground and pound.
Amodei with a flurry of punches that miss.
Amodei trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Amodei loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Amodei has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Amodei throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tszyu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Amodei throws a strike but Tszyu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amodei trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Amodei trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Amodei tries to strike from the bottom.
Amodei throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Amodei wants to sweep here but Tszyu controlling him for the moment.
Tszyu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Amodei striking off his back but it's not causing Tszyu any problems.
Amodei throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Amodei is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tszyu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Amodei circles away quickly and effectively.

Amodei moves into the clinch.
A short right from Amodei on the inside.
Amodei lands a left hand.
Kostya Tszyu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amodei scores with a shoulder strike.
Amodei misses with some punches.
Amodei throws a head punch that misses.
Amodei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amodei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Amodei has a couple of punches blocked by Tszyu.
Tszyu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amodei working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Amodei working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Amodei swings away with an uppercut that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Giuseppe Amodei comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tszyu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

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