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WP 78 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 85 wins and 48 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 102 wins and 85 losses; Tyrone Sparxx!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and William Gold.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sparxx is defended easily by Merlin.
Merlin dives in and grabs Sparxx's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sparxx pushes down on Merlin's head and hops out.
Merlin has been working on his balance at KFA, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Sparxx.
Sparxx slaps away a takedown attempt from Merlin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sparxx closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Merlin did well to prevent Sparxx getting side control. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Sparxx
Merlin has a hand on Sparxx's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Sparxx takes advantage of the position though and mounts him! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (0) vs (5) Sparxx
My spies in House of 1000 Corpses inform me that Sparxx has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin tries to hold on but Sparxx pushes him away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sparxx takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sparxx moves to back control. Score +3 for taking back: Merlin (0) vs (8) Sparxx
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sparxx controlling well, preventing Merlin from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparxx really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Merlin.
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.
Merlin can't escape the position.
Sparxx doesn't have the hooks in and Merlin manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (8) Sparxx
Sparxx has Merlin pulled in close to control his posture.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparxx controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin is stalling in the full guard.
Merlin being controlled here momentarily.
Merlin trying to control but Sparxx is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Sparxx has control of Merlin's left arm, preventing Merlin from doing any damage.
Sparxx looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sparxx is keeping the position for now.
Merlin stands and throws Sparxx's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (8) Sparxx
Merlin wants to control but Sparxx is keeping him busy.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin just content to control the position.
Merlin trying to control the position but Sparxx is working away.
You can see the frustration on Sparxx's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sparxx is looking to reverse the position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working away.
Merlin wants to control but Sparxx is keeping him busy.
Merlin controls the position.
Sparxx manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sparxx is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Sparxx is working away.
Sparxx keeping hold of Merlin's head, controlling as best he can.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Sparxx is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is just content to waste time from the top position. Sparxx takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Sparxx is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Merlin trying to control but Sparxx is working from the bottom.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sparxx pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sparxx is keeping the position for now.
Sparxx is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Sparxx keeps moving.
Sparxx is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Sparxx keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Sparxx wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
Sparxx controlling Merlin's posture.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Sparxx.
Merlin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Merlin passes into half guard.
Sparxx wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Well,Merlin is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sparxx does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sparxx has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Merlin is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sparxx manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Merlin is pushing down on Sparxx's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sparxx is fighting to maintain full guard but Merlin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sparxx is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Sparxx is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Sparxx won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Sparxx trying to control from the bottom.
Sparxx gets back to full guard.
Merlin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sparxx wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
And that's the end of the fight!
Sparxx wins on points by 8 to 5.
During a confident post fight interview, Tyrone Sparxx thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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