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CWC 307 - Cruz vs Nickal 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 Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 22 wins and 21 losses; Bart Cubbedge ! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 17 wins and 9 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown but Cubbedge shows good takedown defense.
Cubbedge has managed to clinch.
Merlin turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Merlin manages to end up in side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Cubbedge (0) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin trying to control the action but Cubbedge is working from the bottom.
Merlin just content to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cubbedge can't do much from the bottom here.
Cubbedge stops Merlin from passing to mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cubbedge keeps working.
Merlin is staying tight to Cubbedge 's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Merlin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Cubbedge 's legs.
Merlin advances to full mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Cubbedge (0) vs (6) Merlin
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cubbedge is looking to escape.
My spies in KFA inform me that Merlin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Cubbedge is now in Merlin's guard. A big mistake from Merlin there, giving up the dominant position! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Cubbedge (2) vs (6) Merlin
Cubbedge postures up.
Merlin 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.
Cubbedge showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merlin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Merlin 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cubbedge is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Merlin controls Cubbedge momentarily but Cubbedge frees himself.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge preventing the sweep.
Cubbedge controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cubbedge trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Merlin manages to land a sweep and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Cubbedge (2) vs (8) Merlin
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Cubbedge keeps moving.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Cubbedge (2) vs (11) Merlin
Cubbedge is looking to reverse the position.
Merlin tries to move to mount but Cubbedge blocks the move with his legs.
Merlin trying to control the action but Cubbedge is working from the bottom.
Cubbedge tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin staying calm.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Cubbedge prevents Merlin from improving position.
Merlin trying to control the action but Cubbedge is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Cubbedge 's face as Merlin controls the position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Cubbedge 's face as Merlin controls the position.
Merlin trying to control the position but Cubbedge is working away.
Cubbedge is being controlled here.
Merlin wants to control but Cubbedge is keeping him busy.
Cubbedge is trying to improve his position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin just content to control the position.
Cubbedge is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Merlin is one step ahead and moves to full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Cubbedge (2) vs (13) Merlin
Merlin tries to control but Cubbedge wriggling away.
Cubbedge holds on for dear life, controlling Merlin's posture momentarily.
Merlin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Merlin trying to control but Cubbedge is having none of it.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merlin tries to control but Cubbedge wriggling away.
Merlin is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
Merlin is stalling here but it's allowed Cubbedge to get half guard.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cubbedge keeps working.
Merlin slows the pace down in half guard.
Cubbedge is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Cubbedge reverses the position - he's now on top in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Cubbedge (4) vs (13) Merlin
Merlin pulls Cubbedge in close to his closed guard and prevents Cubbedge from doing any damage or advancing position.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Cubbedge trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin wants to control but Cubbedge passes easily into half guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Merlin has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cubbedge has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Cubbedge (7) vs (13) Merlin
Cubbedge trying to control the action but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Merlin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cubbedge is keen to just control but Merlin is a slippery customer.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Merlin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cubbedge .
Merlin keeping hold of Cubbedge 's head, controlling as best he can.
Merlin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cubbedge stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working a defensive guard here.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Cubbedge is stalling in the full guard.
Cubbedge preventing the sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cubbedge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin is pulling down on Cubbedge 's head to control his posture.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 13 to 7.
A relieved looking Xavier Merlin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it. |
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