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CWC 294 - Pavlov vs Jackson 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 Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 9 losses; Mark Merel! And in the blue corner, fighting out of London, with a TWGC record of 10 wins and 15 losses; Ruben Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Chris Saunders.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merel takes the fight into the clinch.
Gracie has picked Merel up - he's going for a ride! Gracie dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merel (0) vs (2) Gracie
Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Merel is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
Merel is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Merel trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the action but Merel is working from the bottom.
Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Merel sees it coming and defends easily.
Merel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel manages to get to full guard.
Merel keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Merel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
My spies in Rivers Edge Gym inform me that Gracie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merel can't keep his opponent in guard - Gracie advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Merel defends it.
Gracie is looking for a kimura but Merel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Merel is positioning himself well to prevent Gracie advancing to mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Merel is not content to let Gracie control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merel is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merel avoid being mounted?
Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gracie prevents Merel from improving his position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Merel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie is looking for a kimura here.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Merel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie sitting and controlling from the half guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merel is trying to control but can't.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Merel's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Merel. Score +3 for passing guard: Merel (0) vs (5) Gracie
Merel controls the position.
Gracie is stalling here but it's allowed Merel to get half guard.
Merel wants to get back to full guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Merel wants to control but Gracie passes into side.
Score +3 for passing guard: Merel (0) vs (8) Gracie
You can see the frustration on Merel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie advances to mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Merel (0) vs (10) Gracie
Merel wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gracie goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Merel turns into him and now he's in Gracie's guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (2) vs (10) Gracie
Merel passes Gracie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gracie is pressing down on Merel's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Merel defends well.
We've been hearing good reports from Merel'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.
Merel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Merel (5) vs (10) Gracie
Gracie is looking to regain half guard here but Merel keeps moving and retains side control.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merel advances nicely into full mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Merel (7) vs (10) Gracie
Merel trying to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Merel swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Gracie is now in Merel's guard. A big mistake from Merel there, giving up the dominant position! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (7) vs (12) Gracie
Gracie passes Merel's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Merel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Merel is defending the position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeps trying to improve his position.
Merel is trying to control but can't.
Merel tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Merel is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Merel is trying to get back to full guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merel wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gracie works his way into full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merel (7) vs (15) Gracie
Merel tries to improve his position but instead Gracie has taken his back! Score +3 for taking back: Merel (7) vs (18) Gracie
Merel rolls, trying to escape but Gracie keeps control of the position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merel looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
I would not like to be Merel right now.
Merel manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gracie's guard. Nice work there by Merel.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (9) vs (18) Gracie
Merel passes into half guard.
Merel is stalling here. Gracie is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Merel seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Gracie has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work. Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merel (9) vs (22) Gracie
Gracie swings around for an armbar but Merel sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gracie's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (11) vs (22) Gracie
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merel drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Merel has Gracie in his guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (11) vs (24) Gracie
Gracie sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Merel keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gracie wins on points by 24 to 11.
Our winner, Ruben Gracie, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans. |
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