|
|
WP 101 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 96 wins and 59 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 65 wins and 73 losses; Shane MacGowan!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and James Ackerman.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
No luck for Merlin with that takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Merlin. No joy for MacGowan on that attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Merlin as MacGowan shoots in.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A momentary lapse in concentration from MacGowan enables Merlin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. MacGowan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) MacGowan
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacGowan has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Merlin is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for MacGowan. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (0) MacGowan
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
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.
MacGowan is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacGowan is still trying to improve position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the position.
MacGowan is not content to let Merlin control the position.
MacGowan struggling a bit here.
Merlin in side control, just content to control the action for now.
MacGowan struggling a bit here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but MacGowan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
MacGowan manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merlin's best efforts.
Merlin is trying to control the action in half guard but MacGowan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
MacGowan wants to get back to full guard.
MacGowan trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
MacGowan is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
MacGowan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
MacGowan wants to get back to full guard.
MacGowan keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for MacGowan! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (8) vs (0) MacGowan
MacGowan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
MacGowan is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
Merlin tries to control but MacGowan wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacGowan wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
MacGowan can't escape the position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to control but MacGowan wriggling away.
Merlin prevents MacGowan from getting the reversal.
Merlin tries to control but MacGowan wriggling away.
Merlin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
MacGowan tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
MacGowan is trying to escape the mount.
MacGowan tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin looking to control but MacGowan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
MacGowan is working to get back to half guard.
MacGowan wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
MacGowan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Merlin haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is trying desperately to improve position.
Merlin wants to control the pace but MacGowan is squirming around nicely.
MacGowan can't escape the position.
MacGowan tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
MacGowan is trying to escape the mount.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
MacGowan is in all sorts of trouble here.
MacGowan tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin looking to control but MacGowan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
MacGowan is working to get back to half guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
MacGowan is wriggling around trying to escape.
Merlin controlling from mount.
MacGowan is trying desperately to improve position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as MacGowan is looking to escape.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merlin avoids the attempt from MacGowan to control.
MacGowan tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
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 eleven minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
MacGowan tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
MacGowan is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
MacGowan bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (8) vs (2) MacGowan
MacGowan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Merlin is in trouble now - MacGowan has advanced to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (8) vs (5) MacGowan
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Merlin is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Merlin and MacGowan has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
MacGowan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merlin, who protects the arm well.
Merlin is looking to reverse the position.
MacGowan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Merlin tries to improve position but can't.
MacGowan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Merlin is looking for a sweep.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is trying to get an arm triangle but Merlin is defending well.
MacGowan is looking to take a break and control but Merlin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
MacGowan has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Ground Zero Workout Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom here.
MacGowan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merlin, who protects the arm well.
Merlin is trying to improve his position.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
MacGowan goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Merlin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in MacGowan's guard! Nice work there by Merlin! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (10) vs (5) MacGowan
MacGowan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Merlin is aware though and is defending well.
MacGowan looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. MacGowan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merlin is fighting to break MacGowan's control of his arms but MacGowan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 10 to 5.
During a confident post fight interview, Xavier Merlin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
|
|
|
|
|
