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TWGC 35 (185lbs, D1): Las Vegas Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 7 losses; Eduardo Cunha! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 2 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Merlin looking to score a takedown here. Cunha is defending well but Merlin drives through and ends up in Cunha's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Cunha (0) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cunha is pulling down on Merlin's head to control his posture.
Merlin won't allow Cunha to sweep him here.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Cunha keeps moving.
Cunha trying to control the position.
Cunha trying to control the position here.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Cunha keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin being controlled here momentarily.
Cunha can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Merlin controls the pace.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunha is controlling Merlin's posture.
Cunha's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Cunha (0) vs (5) Merlin
Merlin staying calm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cunha is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cunha stops Merlin from passing to mount.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cunha keeps working.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Cunha has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunha is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Merlin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cunha knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cunha wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cunha manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Cunha bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Cunha (2) vs (5) Merlin
Cunha has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Merlin to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Cunha is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Merlin pulls down on the head and he's put Cunha to sleep! This one is all over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Xavier Merlin!
An out of breath Xavier Merlin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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