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WP 27 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 21 wins and 13 losses; Vasiliy Kulik! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 11 wins and 24 losses; David McDonald!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and James Atkins.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Nice takedown defense from Kulik. No joy for McDonald on that attempt.
McDonald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Kulik (0) vs (2) McDonald
Kulik is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McDonald content to stall in guard here.
Kulik keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kulik pulls McDonald in close to his closed guard and prevents McDonald from doing any damage or advancing position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Kulik keeps moving.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kulik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
My spies in Blacktalians MMA inform me that McDonald has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
McDonald is pushing down on Kulik's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kulik is fighting to maintain full guard but McDonald has managed to sneak the leg through.
McDonald tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kulik knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is still trying to improve position.
McDonald stalling away here and it's allowed Kulik to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kulik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kulik has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McDonald can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've been hearing good reports from Kulik'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.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kulik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kulik looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Kulik is keeping the position.
McDonald controlling from the top position.
McDonald stopping the sweep attempt from Kulik.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulik has control of McDonald's left arm, preventing McDonald from doing any damage.
Kulik looking for a sweep. Not yet Kulik, not yet.
McDonald not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kulik is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kulik 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.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kulik pulls McDonald in close to prevent any damage.
Kulik can't keep his opponent in guard - McDonald advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McDonald is trying to control. Kulik wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kulik is trying to maintain the position but McDonald is very close to passing his half guard.
McDonald controlling the action here.
Kulik gets full guard.
Kulik is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kulik keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
McDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Kulik is retaining full guard.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Kulik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kulik will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kulik is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McDonald seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kulik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McDonald showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kulik is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Kulik is keeping the position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kulik keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
McDonald looking to sit in guard and control but Kulik gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kulik (2) vs (2) McDonald
Kulik sitting in guard here, content to control.
McDonald has his hands on Kulik's head, controlling the position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kulik slips nicely into half guard.
McDonald is looking for a sweep. Kulik is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McDonald gets back to full guard.
Kulik really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McDonald seems keen to control Kulik's posture.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Kulik pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDonald is keeping the position for now.
McDonald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McDonald is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kulik (2) vs (4) McDonald
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Kulik being controlled here, momentarily.
McDonald trying to control but Kulik is working from the bottom.
Kulik keeping full guard, as McDonald tries to pass.
McDonald showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McDonald trying to control but Kulik is working from the bottom.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Kulik is keeping the position.
Kulik keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
Kulik bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McDonald's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kulik (4) vs (4) McDonald
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Kulik is fighting to break McDonald's control of his arms but McDonald is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kulik tries to free his leg and advance position but McDonald is retaining full guard.
Kulik sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kulik passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kulik wants to advance to full mount but McDonald doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
And that's the end of the fight!
As we have tied on points, we go to a tie breaker and Kulik gets a bonus point for attempting more subs.
Kulik takes the fight on points by 5 to 4.
An out of breath Vasiliy Kulik thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated David McDonald had this to say: 'Fall down seven times, get up eight.'. |
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