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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 52 wins and 32 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 31 wins and 43 losses; Billy Turturro!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and James Atkins.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Turturro enables Merlin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Turturro manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Turturro
Turturro wants to control the position but Merlin says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Merlin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Turturro knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Turturro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
We've been hearing good reports from Merlin'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.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Turturro is keeping the position for now.
Turturro has his hands on Merlin's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turturro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin pushes down on Turturro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Merlin content to control rather than advance.
Turturro wants to get back to full guard but Merlin has mounted him! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (0) Turturro
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Turturro is trying desperately to improve position.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
Turturro is trying to escape the mount.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
Turturro can't escape the position.
Turturro keeps trying to improve his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
Turturro is looking to improve his position but Merlin isn't that keen on the idea.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is in all sorts of trouble here.
Turturro holds on to Merlin around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Turturro is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Merlin controlling from mount.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is having none of it.
Merlin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Turturro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Turturro tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Turturro is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Merlin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
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.
Turturro 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 trying to advance position but Turturro counters by regaining guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Turturro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merlin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Merlin passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (8) vs (0) Turturro
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Turturro struggling a bit here.
Who's going to make the next move?
Turturro is looking to regain half guard here but Merlin keeps moving and retains side control.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro regains half guard.
Turturro is trying is best to control the position here.
Merlin working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Turturro's thigh. Turturro counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Turturro wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Turturro is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is trying to get back to full guard.
Turturro is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turturro is looking to improve his position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 8 to 0.
A very excited looking Xavier Merlin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction. |
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