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CWC 295 Pavlov vs Sakaraba 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 10 losses; Mark Merel! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 9 losses; Luc Gagnon!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Emerson Jorge.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merel closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gagnon's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merel (2) vs (0) Gagnon
Merel 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merel trying to control the position from guard on top but Gagnon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merel preventing the sweep.
Merel looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gagnon keeping moving, preventing Merel from controlling successfully.
Merel wants to pass the guard but Gagnon is keeping the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel trying to control the position from guard on top but Gagnon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merel tries to free his leg and advance position but Gagnon is retaining full guard.
Merel has gone for a leg lock! Gagnon slips out almost immediately though and dives into Merel's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (2) vs (2) Gagnon
Gagnon sitting in guard here, content to control.
Merel looking for a sweep. Not yet Merel, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Merel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gagnon controls the pace.
Merel keeping full guard, as Gagnon tries to pass.
Gagnon trying to control but Merel is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gagnon being controlled here momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon tries to free his leg and advance position but Merel is retaining full guard.
Gagnon is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Merel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gagnon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Merel 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: Merel (4) vs (2) Gagnon
Merel is looking to advance position but Gagnon won't allow it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon gets full guard.
Merel postures up.
Merel trying to control the position from guard on top but Gagnon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merel looking to sit in guard and control but Gagnon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (4) vs (4) Gagnon
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Merel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gagnon looking to pass the guard.
Merel working a defensive guard here.
Gagnon must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon pushes down on Merel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gagnon trying to mount his opponent but Merel defends it.
Merel wants to control but Gagnon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gagnon is looking to take a break and control but Merel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gagnon is trying to work for a kimura but Merel is defending well.
Gagnon is thwarting Merel's attempts to control the position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merel is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gagnon's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gagnon's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merel (8) vs (4) Gagnon
Gagnon defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Merel's arms.
Gagnon is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Merel gets his way!
Merel looking for the choke from the back.
Gagnon is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merel has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Gagnon has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Gagnon preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Merel.
Gagnon showing good submission defense here.
Merel has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon wants to control his opponent's hands but Merel gets his hands free.
Gagnon defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Merel is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Gagnon knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Gagnon for a finish.
Merel has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Gagnon showing good submission defense here.
Gagnon is in a bad position with Merel working for a choke. Gagnon manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (8) vs (6) Gagnon
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon wants to pass the guard but Merel is keeping the position.
Merel keeping moving, preventing Gagnon from controlling successfully.
Merel pulls Gagnon in close to prevent any damage.
Gagnon passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Merel (8) vs (9) Gagnon
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon trying to control the action but Merel is working from the bottom.
Gagnon is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Merel has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gagnon tries for a kimura but Merel is defending well.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merel is looking for a sweep.
Gagnon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Merel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gagnon wants to control but Merel is keeping him busy.
Merel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merel, who protects the arm well.
Merel tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gagnon wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gagnon is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Gagnon trying to control the position but Merel is working away.
Gagnon has knee on belly and moves into mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Merel (8) vs (11) Gagnon
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merel is desperately trying to improve his position but Gagnon has a good base and remains in mount.
Gagnon trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gagnon is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Merel is in real trouble.
Score +3 for taking back: Merel (8) vs (14) Gagnon
Merel wants to escape the position.
Gagnon avoiding Merel 's attempts to control his hands.
Merel is in a bad position with Gagnon working for a choke. Merel manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merel (10) vs (14) Gagnon
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merel wants to pass the guard but Gagnon is keeping the position.
Merel is pushing down on Gagnon's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gagnon is fighting to maintain full guard but Merel has managed to sneak the leg through.
Merel is trying to work for a kimura but Gagnon is defending well.
Merel is looking for a kimura here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merel trying to mount his opponent but Gagnon defends it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gagnon wins on points by 14 to 10.
After winning the bout, Luc Gagnon thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility. |
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