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TWGC 35 (185lbs, D1): Finals - Round 2 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 3 losses; Buddy Barnett! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 2 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and Daniel Bishop.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin fails with a takedown attempt.
As Merlin tries to get set, Barnett tries to push him back and clinch up but Merlin manages to avoid the attempt.
Merlin shoots in looking for a takedown but Barnett manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Merlin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Merlin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Barnett looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Barnett (0) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Merlin trying to control the position but Barnett is working away.
Merlin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin trying to control the action but Barnett is working from the bottom.
Barnett prevents Merlin from moving into mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Merlin off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Barnett (4) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin can't escape the position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Merlin can't escape the position.
Barnett controlling the position well here. Merlin rolled but Barnett kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Barnett avoiding Merlin 's attempts to control his hands.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Barnett controlling the positon.
Barnett is not going to allow Merlin to sit and survive in this position.
Merlin rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
We've been hearing good reports from Barnett's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Barnett is taking a breather. Merlin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control from the bottom.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard.
Merlin has a hand on Barnett's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Barnett takes advantage of the position though and mounts him! Score +3 for passing guard: Barnett (7) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin tries to lock up and control but Barnett gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin is in all sorts of trouble here.
Merlin wants to control but Barnett is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett wants to take his opponent's back but Merlin doesn't allow it.
Merlin wants to control but Barnett is having none of it.
Merlin tries to improve his position but instead Barnett has taken his back! Score +3 for taking back: Barnett (10) vs (4) Merlin
Barnett is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Merlin is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Barnett has good solid back control here.
Barnett has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Merlin is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Merlin tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Barnett avoids the attempt from Merlin to control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying desperately to improve position.
Merlin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Merlin wants to hold on but Barnett pushes him away.
Barnett controlling the pace for now.
Merlin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to hold on but Barnett pushes him away.
Merlin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Merlin is still trying to improve position.
Merlin tries to hold on but Barnett postures up.
Merlin working to try and regain half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Merlin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Barnett stopping the sweep attempt from Merlin.
Barnett is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Merlin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Barnett's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Merlin is looking for a triangle but Barnett pushes his legs off easily.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working a defensive guard here.
Barnett tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Merlin wants to control but Barnett passes easily into half guard.
Barnett passes into side control, despite Merlin's attempt to control the position.
Score +3 for passing guard: Barnett (13) vs (4) Merlin
Barnett happy to just control the position for now.
Barnett working away.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Barnett controlling the position from side mount.
Barnett wants to control but Merlin is keeping him busy.
Merlin tries to buck Barnett off but Barnett is having none of it.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Barnett working away.
Barnett controlling the position from side mount.
Merlin is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Merlin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Barnett off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Barnett (13) vs (8) Merlin
Will Merlin go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Barnett is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Merlin wants to control the position but Barnett frees himself and scrambles - Merlin manages to regain control in side control.
Merlin tries to advance to mount but Barnett denies him.
Merlin has knee on belly momentarily but Barnett bucks him off and regains half guard.
Merlin slows the pace down in half guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking for a kimura here.
Merlin wants to control but Barnett is keeping him busy.
Merlin has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at KFA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barnett manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Merlin passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Barnett (13) vs (11) Merlin
You can see the frustration on Barnett's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Merlin wants to control for a moment but Barnett uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Barnett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Merlin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Barnett haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that's the end of the fight!
Barnett takes the fight on points by 13 to 11.
Buddy Barnett thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
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