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TWGC 23 (145lbs, D1): Finals - Round 2 PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight Tycoon World Grappling Championship rules bout between Rollo Gracie (ranked 652 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodney Holzken (ranked 8249 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Jiu Jitsu: Apaga Mas Não Bate. Holzken has chosen Justin Bieber ft. Ariana Grande - Let Me Think Bout You as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the featherweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 8 wins and 2 losses; Rollo Gracie! And in the blue corner, fighting out of London, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 5 losses; Rodney Holzken!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Nard Betker and Paul Aken.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Gracie gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gracie has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Holzken is trying to keep an underhook but Gracie manages to get the takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Gracie (2) vs (0) Holzken
Holzken is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Holzken looking to control.
Holzken escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Holzken looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gracie passes into half guard.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Holzken does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holzken has a hand on Gracie's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Gracie takes advantage of the position though and mounts him! Score +3 for passing guard: Gracie (5) vs (0) Holzken
Holzken tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to take Holzken's back but he can't do it this time.
Holzken wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gracie forces the positional change into back control. Score +3 for taking back: Gracie (8) vs (0) Holzken
Holzken is trying to break free.
Holzken wants to control his opponent's hands but Gracie gets his hands free.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeps control of the position as Holzken tries to break free.
Gracie is trying to stick to Holzken's back but Holzken is turning into Gracie. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Gracie's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Holzken. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracie (8) vs (2) Holzken
Holzken has gone for a leg lock! Gracie slips out almost immediately though and dives into Holzken's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracie (10) vs (2) Holzken
Gracie wants to control from the top but Holzken keeps moving.
Holzken is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holzken isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gracie stacks Holzken on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gracie! Score +3 for passing guard: Gracie (13) vs (2) Holzken
Holzken prevents Gracie from moving into mount.
Holzken is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Holzken is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Holzken is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holzken controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Gracie is thwarting Holzken's attempts to control the position.
Holzken is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gracie wants to control but Holzken is keeping him busy.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Holzken actively working from the bottom here.
Holzken looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Gracie wants to free his trapped foot but Holzken is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holzken keeps working.
Holzken looking for submissions off his back.
Holzken is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Holzken looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Holzken is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Gracie (16) vs (2) Holzken
Gracie controlling the position.
Holzken is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Holzken is trying to escape the position but Gracie is controlling the position.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Holzken is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holzken is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Holzken! Score +2 for reaching mount: Gracie (18) vs (2) Holzken
Holzken has given up his back.
Score +3 for taking back: Gracie (21) vs (2) Holzken
Gracie keeps control of the position as Holzken tries to break free.
Holzken keeps trying to improve his position.
Holzken preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Gracie.
Holzken can't escape the position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Holzken turns into Gracie and is now in his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracie (21) vs (4) Holzken
Holzken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie is controlling Holzken's posture.
Holzken postures up.
Holzken trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Holzken advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Holzken is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gracie is just riding it out for now. Holzken eventually gives up the hold.
Holzken is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gracie is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
My spies in Lucky Liam's MMA Academy inform me that Holzken has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Holzken tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Holzken controls the pace.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking for a triangle but Holzken pushes his legs off easily.
Holzken wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Holzken works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Holzken is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Still in half guard, Holzken seems content to control.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Holzken has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Gracie is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Arcalimon Top Team, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Holzken is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie moves into full guard.
Holzken pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Holzken from controlling successfully.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to sweep but instead, Holzken has passed into half guard.
Holzken seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gracie tries to roll over but Holzken keeps him under control.
Holzken wants to free his trapped foot but Gracie is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Holzken seems to be working for a kimura but Gracie defends the submission attempt.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gracie takes the fight on points by 21 to 4.
Rollo Gracie spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant. |
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