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TWGC 35 (185lbs, D3): Finals - Round 3 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 New York, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 0 losses; Josie Saltzman! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 0 losses; Kyle Kuzma!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and James Atkins.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Kuzma instigates a clinch.
We've been informed that Kuzma has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kuzma has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Saltzman is trying to keep an underhook but Kuzma manages to get the takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Saltzman (0) vs (2) Kuzma
Saltzman is trying to maintain the position but Kuzma is very close to passing his half guard.
Kuzma is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kuzma wants to free his trapped foot but Saltzman is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Saltzman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saltzman wants to improve his position but Kuzma is controlling well.
Kuzma slows the pace down in half guard.
Saltzman's coaches at Tycoon Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saltzman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuzma pulls his head out easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzma with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kuzma wants to pass to mount but Saltzman is defending the position.
Kuzma is thwarting Saltzman's attempts to control the position.
Kuzma performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Saltzman trying to control here.
Kuzma content to control rather than advance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saltzman is looking to control Kuzma's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Saltzman avoid being mounted?
Kuzma controlling the pace.
Kuzma is looking for a kimura but Saltzman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kuzma to get the leverage.
Saltzman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kuzma slows the pace down in half guard.
Let's hope that Kuzma 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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma wants to free his trapped foot but Saltzman is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Saltzman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuzma performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kuzma works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Saltzman (0) vs (5) Kuzma
Saltzman seems a little lost for a moment, as Kuzma dominates the positioning.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Saltzman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Kuzma works to advance to full mount. Saltzman defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs. Score +2 for reaching mount: Saltzman (0) vs (7) Kuzma
Saltzman is desperately trying to improve his position but Kuzma has a good base and remains in mount.
Kuzma controlling his opponent.
Kuzma's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Saltzman wants to control but Kuzma is having none of it.
Saltzman is trying desperately to improve position.
Kuzma sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma wants to take his opponent's back but Saltzman doesn't allow it.
Kuzma controlling from mount.
Saltzman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kuzma controlling from the full mount.
Kuzma fails to move to back control.
Saltzman wants to control but Kuzma is having none of it.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma controlling from mount.
Saltzman tries to hold on but Kuzma pushes him away.
Kuzma sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Saltzman 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: Saltzman (2) vs (7) Kuzma
Saltzman looking to sit in guard and control but Kuzma gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saltzman (2) vs (9) Kuzma
Saltzman looking to control.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Saltzman has his foot on Kuzma's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuzma works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuzma slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Saltzman (2) vs (12) Kuzma
Kuzma is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Saltzman's shoulder. That is not cool.
Saltzman is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kuzma content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Saltzman can't do much from the bottom here.
Saltzman is trying to escape the position but Kuzma is controlling the position.
Saltzman manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kuzma's best efforts.
Saltzman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kuzma is working away from the top position though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Saltzman manages to get to full guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Saltzman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kuzma forces his way into half guard.
Kuzma sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Saltzman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Saltzman trying to control here.
Kuzma moves nicely into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Saltzman (2) vs (15) Kuzma
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Saltzman is being controlled here.
Saltzman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kuzma off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Saltzman (6) vs (15) Kuzma
Kuzma is in bad spot here.
Kuzma breaks Saltzman's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saltzman (6) vs (17) Kuzma
Saltzman wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuzma tries to free his leg and advance position but Saltzman is retaining full guard.
Saltzman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kuzma looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Saltzman 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.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Saltzman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kuzma seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma tries to free his leg and advance position but Saltzman is retaining full guard.
Kuzma seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Saltzman looking to control.
Kuzma pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saltzman is keeping the position for now.
Saltzman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saltzman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kuzma works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saltzman is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuzma is taking a breather. Saltzman says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Saltzman actively working from the bottom here.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Kuzma is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Saltzman! Score +3 for passing guard: Saltzman (6) vs (20) Kuzma
Kuzma looking to control and managing it successfully.
Saltzman tries to reverse the position but Kuzma maintains control.
Kuzma sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Saltzman tries to hold on but Kuzma postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuzma controlling the position easily from mount.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kuzma wins on points by 20 to 6.
Kyle Kuzma is the new middleweight champion!
Kyle Kuzma bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it. |
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