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TWGC 23 (185lbs, D1): Las Vegas Qualifier - Round 2 PBP Commentary |
Co-main event
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Coming up we have a middleweight Tycoon World Grappling Championship rules bout between Thatcher Halverson (ranked 2267 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fernando Diaz (ranked 16255 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Halverson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Enter Sandman. Diaz comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Boombastic (Mr Lover Lover) by Shaggy kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Fernando Diaz has the eye of the tiger tonight.
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 1 losses; Thatcher Halverson! And in the blue corner, fighting out of London, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 3 losses; Fernando Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Halverson takes the fight into the clinch.
Halverson is trying to pull guard but Diaz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Halverson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Halverson is trying to pull guard but Diaz has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thatcher Halverson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diaz pulls Halverson into guard.
Diaz can't keep his opponent in guard - Halverson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Halverson wants to advance to full mount but Diaz doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Diaz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Halverson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halverson trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Diaz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Halverson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Diaz working for a triangle but Halverson defends it easily.
Halverson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Diaz is keeping the position for now.
Halverson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halverson trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Halverson trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Halverson trying to move into half guard but instead Diaz has managed to sweep! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (0) vs (2) Diaz
My spies in Lucky Liam's MMA Academy inform me that Diaz has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Diaz won't allow Halverson to sweep him here.
Diaz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Halverson trying to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Halverson is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (2) vs (2) Diaz
Diaz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Halverson trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diaz has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet Diaz, not yet.
Halverson trying to control but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Halverson looking to pass the guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Diaz keeping moving, preventing Halverson from controlling successfully.
Halverson preventing the sweep.
Halverson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Halverson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Diaz working a defensive guard here.
Halverson trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Halverson is really struggling to control Diaz but he's trying to hold on to the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Halverson'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 five minutes gone in the round.
Halverson slips nicely into half guard.
Halverson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Diaz holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Diaz is trying to maintain the position but Halverson is very close to passing his half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Halverson in particular looking to stall.
Halverson tries to pass to full mount but Diaz defends it.
Halverson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Halverson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Diaz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Halverson.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Halverson trying to control the action but Diaz is working from the bottom.
Halverson tries to pass to full mount but Diaz defends it.
Halverson is trying to control. Diaz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Diaz trying to hold on to Halverson's head to control him but Halverson postures up.
Halverson is pressing down on Diaz's thigh, looking to free his foot. Diaz is holding on for now.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Diaz controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Halverson is working for a kimura but Diaz is defending it quite comfortably.
Diaz is trying to get back to full guard.
Halverson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diaz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Diaz is concentrating on defense, preventing Halverson from advancing position.
Diaz wants to get back to full guard.
Diaz trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Halverson manages to pass to mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Halverson (5) vs (2) Diaz
Halverson forces the positional change into back control. Score +3 for taking back: Halverson (8) vs (2) Diaz
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Halverson is looking to control Diaz but Diaz is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Diaz trying to control the action but Halverson just sinks the hooks in.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaz tries to break free.
A lull in the action here.
Halverson not allowing Diaz to control his hands.
Halverson is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Halverson working for a choke but Diaz is defending well.
Diaz preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Halverson.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Halverson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Diaz is keeping busy.
Diaz tries to roll but Halverson sticks to his back.
Halverson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Diaz knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Diaz for a finish.
Halverson is persistently looking for the submission but Diaz is defending it well.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Diaz surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Diaz defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Diaz wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Diaz staying busy and making it hard for Halverson to control.
Diaz trying to control the hands but Halverson breaks the grip.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Diaz tries to escape the position.
Diaz just trying to survive but Halverson is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Halverson tries to get the hooks in deep but Diaz pushed the leg off.
Diaz rolls, trying to escape but Halverson keeps control of the position.
Halverson avoiding Diaz 's attempts to control his hands.
Diaz defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Diaz tries to break free.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Halverson trying to control momentarily.
Diaz showing good submission defense here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Will Halverson go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Halverson is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Diaz has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Diaz just trying to survive but Halverson is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Halverson struggling to keep hold of the position.
Diaz wants to escape the position.
Diaz wants to control his opponent's hands but Halverson gets his hands free.
Diaz breaks Halverson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (8) vs (4) Diaz
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Halverson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Halverson keeping full guard, as Diaz tries to pass.
Diaz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Halverson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Halverson wants to sweep here but Diaz controlling him for the moment.
Diaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Halverson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Halverson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Diaz manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (10) vs (4) Diaz
Diaz lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (10) vs (6) Diaz
Diaz looking to pass the guard.
Halverson is trying to control the position but Diaz postures up.
Halverson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diaz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diaz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diaz trying to control but Halverson is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Halverson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that's the end of the fight!
Halverson takes the fight on points by 10 to 6.
Thatcher Halverson took some time post fight to say the following; 'I'M THE BEST. The greatest fighter on the planet.'. |
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Main event
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Coming up we have a middleweight Tycoon World Grappling Championship rules bout between Rickson Kimura (ranked 9280 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Backlund (ranked 11361 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 5 losses; Rickson Kimura! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Hilo, with a TWGC record of 10 wins and 8 losses; Bob Backlund!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Kimura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Backlund is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kimura is defending well.
Kimura has picked Backlund up - he's going for a ride! Kimura dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Kimura (2) vs (0) Backlund
Backlund is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kimura pulls his head out easily.
Kimura trying to mount his opponent but Backlund defends it.
Kimura is keen to just control but Backlund is a slippery customer.
Kimura keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Backlund actively working from the bottom here.
Backlund wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backlund holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Backlund is just riding it out for now. Kimura eventually gives up the hold.
Kimura passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Backlund! Score +3 for passing guard: Kimura (5) vs (0) Backlund
Kimura tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Backlund wants to control but Kimura is having none of it.
Backlund regains half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Backlund sees it coming and defends easily.
Kimura is working for an americana but Backlund has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Kimura was thinking about the submission.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kimura wants to control from the top but Backlund keeps moving.
Backlund is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Backlund 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: Kimura (5) vs (2) Backlund
Backlund is trying to control. Kimura wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund is trying to work for a kimura but Kimura is defending well.
Kimura is looking for a sweep. Backlund is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kimura is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backlund is looking for a kimura here.
Kimura looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kimura tries to get to full guard but Backlund has control of the leg.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backlund works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Kimura (5) vs (5) Backlund
My spies in Steel's Grappling Penn inform me that Backlund has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Kimura might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kimura tries to improve position but can't.
Kimura is working hard here to advance position.
Kimura manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kimura is trying to get back to full guard.
Backlund moves nicely into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Kimura (5) vs (8) Backlund
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Backlund tries for a kimura but Kimura is defending well.
Kimura is not content to let Backlund control the position.
Kimura struggling a bit here.
Kimura is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Backlund's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Backlund is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kimura has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kimura looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kimura trying to hold on to Backlund's head to control him but Backlund postures up.
Backlund is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kimura is just riding it out for now. Backlund eventually gives up the hold.
Backlund is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kimura has managed to free his arm - good work.
Backlund is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kimura is just riding it out for now. Backlund eventually gives up the hold.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kimura is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Backlund pulls his head out easily.
Backlund sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Backlund trying to control the action but Kimura is working from the bottom.
Kimura wants to control but Backlund is keeping busy.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Backlund is looking for a kimura here.
Kimura wants to improve his position but Backlund is controlling well.
Kimura trying to control but Backlund postures up.
Backlund wants to work for an arm triangle but Kimura is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kimura slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Backlund pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kimura is keeping the position for now.
Backlund trying to control the position from guard on top but Kimura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backlund trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kimura manages to land a sweep and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kimura (7) vs (8) Backlund
Kimura wants to control from the top but Backlund keeps moving.
Backlund looking for subs off his back but Kimura has passed one foot through into half guard.
Kimura is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kimura looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Backlund wants to get back to full guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Kimura is keen to just control but Backlund is a slippery customer.
Backlund gets full guard.
Kimura thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kimura trying to control the position from guard on top but Backlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backlund has his foot on Kimura's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kimura works his way back into a safe position though.
Backlund working for a triangle but Kimura defends it easily.
Backlund escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kimura gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Backlund controls Kimura momentarily but Kimura frees himself.
Backlund keeping moving, preventing Kimura from controlling successfully.
Kimura is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Backlund is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kimura looking to pass the guard.
Backlund looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Kimura thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kimura trying to control the position from guard on top but Backlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kimura is pushing down on Backlund's leg trying to pass to half guard. Backlund is fighting to maintain full guard but Kimura has managed to sneak the leg through.
Backlund is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kimura jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Kimura (10) vs (8) Backlund
Kimura looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Backlund manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kimura (10) vs (10) Backlund
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Kimura is concentrating on defense, preventing Backlund from advancing position.
Kimura is looking to improve his position.
Kimura holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kimura is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Backlund pulls his head out easily.
Kimura is trying to maintain the position but Backlund is very close to passing his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Backlund tries to pass to full mount but Kimura defends it.
And that's the end of the fight!
As we have tied on points, we go to a tie breaker and Backlund gets a bonus point for attempting more subs.
Backlund wins on points by 11 to 10.
Bob Backlund tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool. |
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