|
|
WP 26 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 52 wins and 31 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 47 wins and 26 losses; Shane MacGowan!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
MacGowan looks for a takedown but Merlin sprawls well.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts MacGowan as he jumps to the side.
MacGowan shoots for a takedown but Merlin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches MacGowan napping and manages to drive through into side control! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Merlin (4) vs (0) MacGowan
MacGowan is looking for a sweep.
Merlin in side control, just content to control the action for now.
MacGowan is trying to improve his position.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacGowan manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (2) MacGowan
MacGowan is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacGowan to get the leverage.
MacGowan is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacGowan to get the leverage.
MacGowan is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacGowan to get the leverage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merlin tries to roll over but MacGowan keeps him under control.
MacGowan is trying to work for a kimura but Merlin is defending well.
Merlin manages to get to full guard.
MacGowan wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
MacGowan is looking to pass into half guard but Merlin pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Merlin is in guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (6) vs (2) MacGowan
MacGowan controls Merlin momentarily but Merlin frees himself.
Merlin stands and throws MacGowan's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (9) vs (2) MacGowan
That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
MacGowan sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Merlin wants to pass to mount but MacGowan is defending the position.
MacGowan regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
MacGowan working a defensive guard here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but MacGowan is working from the bottom.
MacGowan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
MacGowan is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
MacGowan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Merlin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
MacGowan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stays in close to MacGowan's body and controls the position.
Merlin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
MacGowan looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Merlin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Merlin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
MacGowan looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin slows the pace down in half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is trying to control but Merlin passes into side control!
Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (12) vs (2) MacGowan
MacGowan is trying to improve his position.
MacGowan is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
MacGowan tries to improve position but can't.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
MacGowan is not content to let Merlin control the position.
MacGowan struggling a bit here.
MacGowan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Merlin off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (12) vs (6) MacGowan
MacGowan is not going to allow Merlin to sit and survive in this position.
Merlin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because MacGowan is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
MacGowan has his arm under Merlin's chin here. Game over son! MacGowan squeezes tightly and Merlin is forced to tap out!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Shane MacGowan!
During a confident post fight interview, Shane MacGowan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
|
|
|
|
|
