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WP 83 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 Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 40 wins and 23 losses; Tyron Scott! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 87 wins and 51 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Merlin. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Scott (0) vs (4) Merlin
Scott tries to control but Merlin manages to take his back. Score +3 for taking back: Scott (0) vs (7) Merlin
Scott trying to control the position but Merlin manages to sink in the hooks.
We've been hearing good reports from Scott'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.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Scott trying to control the action but Merlin just sinks the hooks in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin controlling from the back.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Scott staying busy and making it hard for Merlin to control.
Merlin is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
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 two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control momentarily.
Merlin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Scott haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Scott is really stuck here.
Scott has hold of Merlin's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
Scott trying to control the position but Merlin manages to sink in the hooks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Merlin wants to control but Scott is keeping busy.
Scott is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Merlin.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Merlin's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Scott breaks Merlin's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Scott (2) vs (7) Merlin
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has his hands on Scott's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Scott looking to pass the guard.
Merlin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Scott (2) vs (9) Merlin
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Scott is positioning himself well to prevent Merlin advancing to mount.
Scott tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Scott is staying active underneath Merlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Scott is trying is best to control the position here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Scott does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Scott keeping control of the position.
Merlin is keen to just control but Scott is a slippery customer.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Scott keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Scott is looking to improve his position.
Scott is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin is looking to pass Scott's guard but actually Scott recovers to full guard.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Scott keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Scott swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merlin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Scott has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Scott is keeping the position.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Scott keeps moving.
Scott has his hands on Merlin's head, controlling the position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Scott is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Scott is pulling down on Merlin's head to control his posture.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Scott can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Merlin controls the pace.
Scott lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Scott (4) vs (9) Merlin
Scott 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 twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Scott is one step ahead there.
Scott will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Scott is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin working a defensive guard here.
Scott pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Scott controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Scott has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Scott (7) vs (9) Merlin
Merlin can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Scott tries to advance to mount but Merlin denies him.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 9 to 7.
A relieved looking Xavier Merlin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it. |
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