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WP 60 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 73 wins and 43 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 21 wins and 45 losses; David McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Daniel Bishop.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Horrible takedown attempt by McDonald or perhaps it was just good defense by Merlin, which made it look bad.
Merlin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for McDonald! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Merlin (4) vs (0) McDonald
McDonald stops Merlin from passing to mount.
Merlin controls the position from side control.
McDonald tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merlin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
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 one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Merlin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Merlin has control of an arm but McDonald manages to advance to Merlin's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (4) vs (4) McDonald
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Merlin breaks McDonald's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (6) vs (4) McDonald
That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDonald is keeping the position for now.
McDonald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
Merlin stays in close to McDonald's body and controls the position.
That's four 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.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but McDonald is retaining full guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stays in close to McDonald's body and controls the position.
McDonald seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Merlin pushes down on McDonald's leg and manages to get into half guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is trying to control but can't.
Merlin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
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.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to pass the half guard into mount. McDonald knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
McDonald wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Merlin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Merlin.
Merlin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down McDonald for as long as he can get away with.
McDonald is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
McDonald is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
McDonald tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
McDonald keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
McDonald trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
Merlin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
Merlin tries to pass to full mount but McDonald defends it.
Merlin stalling.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin continues to stall.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
More hug and hope from Merlin.
McDonald is trying to get back to full guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the action here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 6 to 4.
Our winner, Xavier Merlin, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
The defeated David McDonald had this to say: 'Fall down seven times, get up eight.'. |
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