PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Giuseppe Amodei (ranked 1700 p4p, 2151 weight class) and Ryan Henderson (ranked 234 p4p, 284 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Amodei
vs
Henderson

165 cm
42
140
31 - 22 - 3

170 cm
30
165
15 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 22 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giuseppe Amodei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ryan Henderson !
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Henderson shoots in and bounces Amodei off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Henderson distracts Amodei with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Henderson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Amodei's head.
Henderson preventing the sweep.
Henderson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Henderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Amodei is keeping the position for now.
Henderson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Amodei's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henderson throws a strike but Amodei rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Our spies down at at NY Savages inform us that Henderson has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amodei is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Amodei won't allow Henderson to get back to his feet.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Amodei from controlling successfully.
Amodei slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Henderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jab, jab by Amodei - just one landing.
Amodei connects with a body shot that sends Henderson 's belly button to the back.
Giuseppe Amodei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henderson throws a shot from downtown. Amodei moves away and avoids it.
Amodei looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Amodei throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Amodei misses with a hook.
Henderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Henderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Amodei missing with a left hand there. Henderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Amodei scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson throws a series of punches but Amodei moves out of range.
Amodei thumps Henderson with a low kick.
Amodei misses with a straight right.
Henderson throws a right hand that Amodei ducks under and follows up with a left that Amodei also avoids with ease.
Henderson avoids the head kick by Amodei.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Amodei throws a jab but it's blocked by Henderson .
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Amodei lands an overhand right.
Amodei throws a hook to the side of Henderson 's head but Henderson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Henderson lands with a nice body punch.
Henderson 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Amodei under the eye.

It looks like Giuseppe Amodei has been cut.
Amodei with the inside leg kick.
Amodei scores with a punch 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!
Henderson throws an overhand right that lands on Amodei's shoulder, as Amodei tries to avoid the shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Amodei.
Amodei throws a head kick but Henderson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Amodei.
Henderson moves out of range as Amodei strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Henderson ! But no joy.
Henderson slips a jab and a cross from Amodei.
Henderson lands a nice hook to Amodei's body. Amodei takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Henderson looks to land a left hand but Amodei moved out of range nicely.
Henderson throws a body shot but no joy.
Amodei uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Henderson .
Amodei feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Henderson throws a body shot but no joy.
Amodei throwing a counter right hand but Henderson manages to avoid it.
Henderson throws a hook to the side of Amodei's head but Amodei sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That kick from Amodei tenderised Henderson 's leg. Henderson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Henderson tries for a takedown but Amodei circles away easily
and Amodei counters with a nice leg kick.
Henderson connects with a body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Henderson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Henderson misses with a takedown attempt - Amodei sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Giuseppe Amodei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Henderson .
Amodei with a nice calf kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Giuseppe Amodei will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Giuseppe Amodei's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Amodei feints and then cracks Henderson 's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Henderson down.
Henderson throws a body shot but no joy.
Henderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Amodei sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Amodei drops down looking for a counter takedown but Henderson sprawls and moves away.

Amodei takes the fight into the clinch.
A short left from Amodei.
Amodei goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Henderson breaks from the clinch.
Henderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Amodei moves away.
Amodei catches Henderson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A nice leg kick lands there from Amodei.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Amodei throws a lazy right hand but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Henderson moves out of range as Amodei throws a body kick.
Henderson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Amodei can pounce on him.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from Amodei.
Nice uppercut lands for Amodei. That snapped Henderson 's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amodei motions for Henderson to come forward. Amodei throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Amodei avoids the body shot from Henderson .
Amodei works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Henderson 's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Amodei connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Amodei connects with a nice looking jab.

Amodei drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Amodei tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Henderson is pushing Amodei's head away, looking to escape. Amodei manages to hold on to the position though.
Amodei tries to advance to mount but Henderson denies him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson wants to get back to his feet but Amodei drags him back down.
Henderson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Henderson is not content to let Amodei control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Henderson lands a jab to Amodei's midsection.
Amodei is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Henderson can do to turn this around?
Amodei takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Amodei with a nice cross.
Amodei throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Amodei thumps Henderson with a low kick.
Henderson misses with a takedown attempt - Amodei sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Amodei misses with a low kick.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Amodei here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
A jab from Henderson misses.
Henderson throws a lazy right hand but Amodei sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Amodei gets caught flat footed, as Henderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Henderson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Amodei looking for a sweep. Not yet Amodei, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amodei wants to stand up but Henderson is controlling him.
Henderson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Amodei has control of Henderson 's left arm, preventing Henderson from doing any damage.
Henderson stands up over Amodei, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Henderson being controlled here momentarily.
Henderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Amodei is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Giuseppe Amodei dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Giuseppe Amodei's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Amodei scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Henderson doesn't seem bothered though.
Amodei lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice sprawl there from Amodei as Henderson shoots in.
Henderson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Henderson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Amodei closes the distance and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Amodei.

Henderson breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Henderson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Amodei.
Amodei changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Amodei lunges at Henderson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Henderson 's hand.
Ryan Henderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson cracks a nice hook into Amodei's ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henderson checks a leg kick.
Jab from Amodei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henderson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Amodei gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Amodei throws a lazy right hand but Henderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Henderson shoots in for a takedown but Amodei shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Giuseppe Amodei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Henderson .
Henderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Amodei tries to score with a low kick but Henderson moves his leg out of the way.
Amodei throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Henderson leaves Amodei with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Henderson scores with a hook to the body. Amodei takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Amodei stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Henderson shoots in but no luck this time.
An inside leg kick lands from Amodei.
Henderson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Amodei throws a lazy uppercut

and Henderson counters with a shoot takedown. Amodei fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 wants to sweep but no luck.
Henderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Amodei is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Henderson defends well.
Henderson working some strikes from top position.
Amodei keeping moving, preventing Henderson from controlling successfully.
Henderson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Amodei haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amodei tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Henderson ducks under a wild hook from Amodei.
Henderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Amodei throws a leg kick but Henderson moved away.
Henderson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Amodei. Amodei obviously looking to wear him down.
Giuseppe Amodei is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Henderson drives through with a takedown into Amodei's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Amodei looking for subs off his back but Henderson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Henderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Amodei is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henderson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Amodei's thigh. Amodei counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Henderson is in close to Amodei's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Henderson forces his way into half guard.
Henderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Henderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Amodei does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Amodei manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ryan Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Amodei is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Giuseppe Amodei.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Amodei, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giuseppe Amodei!
Giuseppe Amodei was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.