|
|
CWC 301 - Halli vs Pavlov PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the lightweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 15 wins and 6 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of London, with a TWGC record of 11 wins and 3 losses; Khalid Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Merlin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Magomedov swivels and escapes.
Merlin shoots for a takedown but Magomedov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Magomedov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Merlin tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Magomedov is in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Magomedov
Magomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Magomedov being controlled here momentarily.
My spies in BDS inform me that Magomedov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Magomedov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin controls Magomedov momentarily but Magomedov frees himself.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Magomedov controls the pace.
Merlin seems keen to control Magomedov's posture.
Magomedov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Magomedov looking to pass the guard.
Magomedov trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Magomedov tries to pass.
Merlin 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.
Magomedov is still trying to improve position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov advances to half guard.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Merlin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Magomedov trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Merlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Magomedov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Merlin pulls Magomedov in close to prevent any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov pushing down on Merlin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Merlin gets full guard.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Magomedov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin is trying to keep Magomedov in close.
Magomedov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov controlling from the top position.
Magomedov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Magomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Merlin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Magomedov's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Magomedov
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Magomedov is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
Magomedov has control of Merlin's left arm, preventing Merlin from doing any damage.
Merlin controlling from the top position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Magomedov is working from the bottom.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Magomedov is keeping the position for now.
Magomedov wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
Magomedov keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Magomedov holds on and takes a little breather.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Magomedov 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.
Magomedov keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (2) Magomedov
Magomedov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merlin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Merlin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Magomedov has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedov can't do much from the bottom here.
Merlin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Magomedov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Magomedov struggling a bit here.
Merlin content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Merlin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Magomedov for as long as he can get away with.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin continues to stall.
Merlin tries to advance to mount but Magomedov denies him.
Magomedov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merlin's best efforts.
Magomedov moves into full guard.
Magomedov controls Merlin momentarily but Merlin frees himself.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Magomedov is keeping the position for now.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Magomedov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Merlin passes Magomedov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Merlin is thwarting Magomedov's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Magomedov is looking to improve his position.
Magomedov manages to get to full guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Merlin forces his way into half guard.
Well, if Merlin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Merlin wants to pass to mount but Magomedov is defending the position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov is looking to improve his position.
Merlin is keen to just control but Magomedov is a slippery customer.
Merlin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Magomedov is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
Merlin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Magomedov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Merlin is working away from the top position though.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to control. Magomedov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Magomedov wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Magomedov is defending well.
Magomedov wants to get back to full guard.
Merlin trying to mount his opponent but Magomedov defends it.
Magomedov tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Magomedov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Magomedov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Magomedov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (5) vs (4) Magomedov
Merlin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (7) vs (4) Magomedov
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Magomedov is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (7) vs (6) Magomedov
Magomedov controls from within his opponent's guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Magomedov passes Merlin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Merlin won't allow Magomedov to pass to mount.
Merlin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Magomedov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin is concentrating on defense, preventing Magomedov from advancing position.
Magomedov is trying to control. Merlin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 7 to 6.
Xavier Merlin retains his lightweight title!
A victorious Xavier Merlin thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter. |
|
|
|
|
|
