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TWGC 42 (145lbs, D2): Las Vegas Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
Co-main event
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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 0 wins and 0 losses; Joel Gomez! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Sydney, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Saul Tacarante!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.#CL2#
Tacarante closes the distance and clinches.
Gomez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tacarante after a bit of a struggle.
Gomez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gomez goes for a takedown attempt but Tacarante pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
#CL2#
Gomez tries to keep at a distance but Tacarante has taken the fight into the clinch.#TD2#
Tacarante jumps guard.
Tacarante is pulling down on Gomez's head to control his posture.
Tacarante wants to sweep here but Gomez controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#SUB2#
Tacarante looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
#SUB2#
Tacarante had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gomez defends it easily.#T1##SUB2#
Tacarante throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gomez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tacarante pulls Gomez in close to prevent any damage. #SUB2#
Tacarante throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gomez trying to control but Tacarante is working from the bottom.
Tacarante wants to sweep here but Gomez controlling him for the moment. #T2#
Gomez wants to pass the guard but Tacarante is keeping the position.
Gomez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.#SUB#
Gomez has gone for a leg lock! Tacarante slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gomez's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gomez (0) vs (2) Tacarante
Tacarante looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#T3#
Tacarante stopping the sweep attempt from Gomez.
Tacarante controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling. #SUB#
Gomez has his foot on Tacarante's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tacarante works his way back into a safe position though.
Tacarante advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Gomez (0) vs (5) Tacarante#T4##SUB2#
Tacarante is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gomez has escaped the position, nice work there. #SUB2#
Tacarante is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gomez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gomez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Tacarante content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though. #T5##SUB2#
Tacarante tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tacarante moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Gomez is looking to reverse the position.#T6##SUB2#
Tacarante goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gomez has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tacarante but great work by Gomez. Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gomez (4) vs (5) Tacarante
Tacarante wants to control but Gomez postures up.
Tacarante might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gomez haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Tacarante is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Tacarante manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gomez's best efforts.
Tacarante is concentrating on defense, preventing Gomez from advancing position.
Tacarante trying to control from the bottom.
#T7#
Tacarante moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tacarante looking for a sweep. Not yet Tacarante, not yet. #SUB2#
Tacarante looking for a guillotine here but Gomez defends easily.
Tacarante wants to sweep but no luck. #SUB2#
Gomez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
#SUB2#
Tacarante working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gomez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gomez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. #T8#
Gomez trying to control but Tacarante is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tacarante holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.#SUB2#
Tacarante working for a triangle but Gomez defends it easily.
#SUB2#
Tacarante is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gomez defends well.
Gomez trying to control but Tacarante is working from the bottom. #T9#
Gomez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Gomez (7) vs (5) Tacarante
Tacarante manages to get one leg in to regain half guard. #SUB#
Gomez seems to be looking for submissions.
Gomez wants to take a breather but Tacarante is having none of it.
Gomez tries to pass to full mount but Tacarante defends it.
Tacarante is trying to control but can't.
#T10#
Tacarante wants to get back to full guard.#SUB2#
Tacarante looking for submissions off his back.
Tacarante is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gomez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gomez's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gomez (7) vs (9) Tacarante
Tacarante has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Gomez's body.
Gomez is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Tacarante biding his time, controlling Gomez. #T11#
Tacarante's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.#SUB2#
Gomez fending off the submission attempt from Tacarante.
Gomez can't escape the position.
Gomez trying to control the hands but Tacarante won't let him. #SUB2#
Tacarante looking for the RNC. #T12#
Tacarante is riding his opponent, not letting Gomez buck him off. #SUB2#
Tacarante tightening his grip on Gomez, looking for the choke. #SUB2#
Tacarante tightening his grip on Gomez, looking for the choke.
Gomez manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tacarante's guard. Nice work there by Gomez.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gomez (9) vs (9) Tacarante#T13##SUB2#
Tacarante looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
#SUB2#
Gomez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tacarante has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gomez has managed to get both his arms back between Tacarante's legs - danger averted.
Tacarante lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gomez (9) vs (11) Tacarante
Tacarante slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up. #T14#
Gomez looking for a sweep. Not yet Gomez, not yet.
Gomez looking to control.
Gomez being controlled here, momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Tacarante wins on points by 11 to 9.
A relieved looking Saul Tacarante thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Joel Gomez had this to say: 'I’ll be back and better next time , it just wasn’t my night tonight . THANK YOU TO ALL THE FANS !'. |
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Main event
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This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the featherweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 2 losses; Marcus Shakes! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Bethania Valverde!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Valverde shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valverde looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Valverde shoots for a takedown but Shakes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Marcus Shakes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bethania Valverde.
Shakes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Valverde swivels and escapes.
Shakes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Valverde swivels and escapes.
Valverde misses with a takedown #CL#
and Shakes counters by clinching up.
Shakes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Valverde gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shakes tries for a takedown but Valverde manages to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valverde gets underhooks to prevent Shakes's takedown attempt.
Valverde is pressed up against the cage. Shakes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valverde down to the mat. Valverde avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shakes has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Roosters Coop in the buildup to the fight.
Valverde changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shakes tries to avoid it but Valverde manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shakes to the ground. Shakes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Valverde shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shakes defends it nicely.#T1#
Shakes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shakes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Valverde sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shakes somewhat.
Valverde wants to counter with a clinch but Shakes pushes him away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Valverde.
Shakes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Valverde dives in for a single leg takedown but Shakes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Valverde tries for a takedown but Shakes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valverde throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shakes's waist but Shakes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Valverde off to one side.
Valverde will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Valverde looks winded!
Shakes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Valverde sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Valverde stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Valverde wants it to stay on the feet.
Shakes shoots and misses #CL2#
and Valverde moves into the clinch.
Valverde stops a takedown attempt from Shakes.
#T2#
Valverde has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shakes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valverde is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Valverde tries to score a body lock takedown but Shakes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shakes is trying to drag Valverde to the mat but Valverde just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Shakes wants a takedown.
Shakes looking for a takedown.
Valverde is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shakes looking for a takedown.
Shakes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Valverde has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shakes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shakes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valverde gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.#T3#
Shakes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valverde pulls his leg out and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shakes is defended easily by Valverde.
Shakes shoots in for a double leg but Valverde sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shakes shoots in for a double leg but Valverde sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Valverde tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shakes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Valverde somewhat.
Valverde shoots in but no luck this time.
Shakes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Valverde sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shakes somewhat.
Valverde changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shakes stuffs the takedown attempt from Valverde. Valverde gets slowly back to his feet.
Valverde with a lazy takedown attempt #CL#
and Shakes moves into the clinch.
Valverde has Shakes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shakes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing. #T4#
Shakes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Valverde prevents it.
Shakes gets underhooks to prevent Valverde's takedown attempt.
Shakes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Valverde prevents it.
Valverde prevents the takedown attempt.
Valverde is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shakes tries to score a body lock takedown but Valverde shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Valverde has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Shakes seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Valverde can turn it around.
Shakes has Valverde pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valverde manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valverde is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shakes wants to take the fight to the mat but Valverde manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Valverde gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shakes.
Shakes tries for a takedown but Valverde manages to get underhooks.
#T5#
Valverde is pressed up against the cage. Shakes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valverde down to the mat. Valverde avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Valverde shoots in looking for a takedown. Shakes tries to sprawl out of it but Valverde keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shakes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Valverde shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shakes but Shakes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shakes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Valverde pinned against the cage. Valverde gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shakes shoots in for a takedown but Valverde shows good takedown defense.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valverde is defended easily by Shakes.
Shakes slaps away a takedown attempt from Valverde, before circling back to the center of the mat.#T6#
Valverde slaps away a takedown attempt from Shakes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Valverde wants to counter the offense by Shakes and move into the clinch position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Valverde with a poor takedown #CL#
and Shakes counters by clinching up.
Shakes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shakes has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Valverde after a bit of a struggle.
Valverde is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shakes is defending well.
Valverde is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shakes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Valverde is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valverde stops a takedown attempt from Shakes.
Shakes is looking for a takedown.
Shakes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.#T7#
Shakes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valverde gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shakes prevents a takedown attempt there.
Valverde is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shakes is defending well.
Shakes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Valverde is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valverde is pressed up against the cage. Shakes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valverde down to the mat. Valverde avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Marcus Shakes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valverde throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shakes's waist but Shakes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Valverde off to one side.
Shakes tries for a takedown but Valverde circles away easily#CL2#
and Valverde counters by moving into the clinch.
Valverde is looking to take this one to the mat.
Valverde stops a takedown attempt from Shakes.
Shakes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Valverde gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shakes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
#T8#
Valverde has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shakes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valverde is looking for a takedown.
Valverde has Shakes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shakes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valverde drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Shakes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shakes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valverde pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shakes with a lazy takedown attempt #CL2#
and Valverde counters by moving into the clinch.
Shakes tries to score a body lock takedown but Valverde shows good agility there to stay on his feet.#T9#
Shakes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Valverde prevents it.
Valverde has Shakes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shakes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shakes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valverde gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shakes wants to take the fight to the mat but Valverde manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Valverde wants a takedown.
Shakes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valverde avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valverde wants a takedown.
Valverde gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shakes.
Valverde wants a takedown but no success here.
Shakes can't get the takedown.
#T10#
Shakes gets underhooks to prevent Valverde's takedown attempt.
Valverde is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Shakes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shakes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Valverde prevents it.
Shakes prevents the takedown attempt.
Shakes wants a takedown.
Shakes is looking for a takedown.
Shakes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valverde pulls his leg out and moves away.
Valverde leaves Shakes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Valverde fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Valverde shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shakes as he jumps to the side. #T11#
Nice sprawl there from Shakes as Valverde shoots in.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Valverde.
Shakes shoots in for a takedown but Valverde shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shakes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Valverde circles away.
Valverde is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Shakes dives in and grabs Valverde's left leg, looking for a takedown. Valverde pushes down on Shakes's head and hops out.
Valverde has a takedown stuffed.
Valverde shoots in for a takedown but Shakes shows good takedown defense.
Valverde leaves Shakes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shakes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Valverde avoids it really well and circles away.
Valverde will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.#T12#
Shakes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valverde misses with a takedown attempt - Shakes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shakes shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Shakes as Valverde shoots in.
Shakes wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Valverde shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shakes but Shakes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shakes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Valverde sprawls well. Valverde wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shakes gets slowly back to his feet.
Valverde wants to counter the offense by Shakes and move into the clinch position.
Shakes closes the distance and clinches up with Valverde, looking for a takedown. Shakes pushes Valverde against the cage but Valverde circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Valverde defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shakes.
Valverde shoots for a double leg takedown but Shakes sprawls well. He's pushed Valverde's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for Valverde with that takedown attempt. #T13#
Shakes shoots in looking for a takedown. Valverde tries to sprawl out of it but Shakes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Valverde manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shakes misses with a takedown attempt - Valverde sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shakes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Valverde.
Valverde tries for a takedown but Shakes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valverde fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shakes has a takedown stuffed.
Shakes shoots in but Valverde avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Valverde looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shakes is fending him off so far but Valverde persists. Nope, Shakes circles away and we're back to standing.#T14#
Valverde with a poor takedown #CL#
and Shakes counters by moving into the clinch.
Shakes looking for a takedown.
Shakes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Valverde gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Valverde stops a takedown attempt from Shakes.
Shakes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valverde avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valverde is pressed up against the cage. Shakes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valverde down to the mat. Valverde avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Valverde defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shakes.
Valverde shoots in but Shakes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shakes slaps away a takedown attempt from Valverde, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that's the end of the fight!
As we have tied on points and both fighters attempted the same number of subs, we will decide the bout based on the toss of a coin! Shakes is heads and Valverde is tails.
The coin is in the air and it lands... tails!
Valverde wins on points by 1 to 0.
A very excited looking Bethania Valverde made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
The defeated Marcus Shakes had this to say: 'Maybe its time to hang it up and coach'. |
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