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TWGC 34 (155lbs, D1): Tokyo Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the lightweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 1 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Sydney, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 2 losses; Sao Alela!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Alela shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Merlin sprawls well. Merlin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alela gets slowly back to his feet.
Merlin clinches with his opponent.
Alela looking for a takedown.
Alela is looking for a takedown.
Xavier Merlin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sao Alela.
Alela is working for takedown but Merlin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Merlin jumps guard and drags Alela to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alela stays in close to Merlin's body and controls the position.
Merlin is trying to keep Alela in close.
Merlin has control of Alela's left arm, preventing Alela from doing any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Alela drops back, looking for a kneebar! Merlin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Merlin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Merlin! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (4) vs (0) Alela
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alela isn't going anywhere.
Alela is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alela is trying to improve his position.
Merlin wants to control but Alela is keeping him busy.
Alela is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Alela is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Merlin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Alela knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Merlin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alela has managed to free his arm - good work.
Merlin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alela trying to control here.
Merlin trying to control the action but Alela is working from the bottom.
Merlin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Merlin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Alela sees it coming and defends easily.
Merlin prevents Alela from improving his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alela is controlling Merlin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Alela is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
Merlin works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (7) vs (0) Alela
Alela is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin advances to full mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (9) vs (0) Alela
Alela looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alela is looking to escape.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Alela really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
Merlin looking to control but Alela is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has hold of Alela's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Alela manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Alela tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alela is looking to escape.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin avoids the attempt from Alela to control.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Alela is squirming around nicely.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Alela is squirming around nicely.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merlin trying to control but Alela is having none of it.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Alela is squirming around nicely.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merlin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Alela for as long as he can get away with.
Merlin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Alela tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Alela is squirming around nicely.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Alela wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Merlin looking to control but Alela is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Alela is looking to improve his position but Merlin isn't that keen on the idea.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Alela tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working for a guillotine from mount but Alela is in no mood to give up.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Alela is squirming around nicely.
Alela is looking to get to half guard.
Alela tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
Alela is in all sorts of trouble here.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merlin trying to control but Alela is having none of it.
Alela is trying to escape the mount.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Alela is having none of it.
Alela manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Merlin trying to control the pace.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alela keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin is controlling the pace.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 9 to 0.
An out of breath Xavier Merlin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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