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TWGC 34 (155lbs, D1): Finals - Round 2 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 4 wins and 1 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 2 losses; John Lee!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Lee
Lee won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Lee wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Lee is defending well.
Lee trying to control here.
Well, if Merlin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merlin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merlin's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (2) vs (4) Lee
Merlin looking to control the position.
Lee has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Merlin's body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
I really don't envy Merlin right now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lee keeps control of the position easily here as Merlin tries to buck him off.
Merlin wants to control his opponent's hands but Lee gets his hands free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lee struggling to keep hold of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee keeps control of the position as Merlin tries to break free.
Merlin trying to control the position but Lee manages to sink in the hooks.
I've been told that Lee has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
Lee controls the position.
Merlin 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.
Merlin is trying to break free.
Merlin prevents Lee from getting a body triangle.
Lee biding his time, controlling Merlin.
Lee is not going to allow Merlin to sit and survive in this position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee is persistently looking for the submission but Merlin is defending it well.
Merlin prevents Lee from getting a body triangle.
I would not like to be Merlin right now.
Merlin is really stuck here.
Merlin looking very determined here, making life difficult for Lee.
Lee is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Lee is hanging on to Merlin's back as he tries to escape.
Merlin wants to control his opponent's hands but Lee gets his hands free.
Merlin rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Merlin is concentrating on defense, preventing Lee from advancing position.
Lee prevents Merlin from improving his position.
Lee is trying to control the action in half guard but Merlin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control but Lee is keeping busy.
Lee is pressing down on Merlin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Merlin is holding on for now.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin is doing well to control the position and prevent Lee from advancing to side control.
Merlin manages to get to full guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems keen to control Lee's posture.
Lee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin seems keen to control Lee's posture.
Lee won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.
Lee looking to pass the guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Lee controls from within his opponent's guard.
Lee looking to pass the guard.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Lee looking to pass the guard.
Merlin wants to sweep here but Lee controlling him for the moment.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin pulls Lee in to control the position.
Lee 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.
Lee trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lee controlling from the top position.
Merlin is controlling Lee's posture.
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.
Lee looking to pass the guard.
Merlin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lee gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin being controlled here, momentarily.
Merlin seems keen to control Lee's posture.
Lee trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lee postures up.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to sweep here but Lee controlling him for the moment.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Lee from controlling successfully.
Lee might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Merlin haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Merlin looking for a guillotine here but Lee defends easily.
Merlin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lee doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lee manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Lee tries to pass.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lee trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Merlin is trying to keep Lee in close.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin being controlled here, momentarily.
Merlin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lee stopping the sweep attempt from Merlin.
Merlin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lee defends well.
Lee preventing the sweep.
Merlin has his foot on Lee's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lee works his way back into a safe position though.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Lee advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (7) Lee
Lee tries to move to mount but Merlin blocks the move with his legs.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom here.
Merlin is not content to let Lee control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin is looking for a sweep.
And that's the end of the fight!
Lee wins on points by 7 to 2.
During a confident post fight interview, John Lee thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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