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CWC 309 - Halli vs Archer 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 London, with a TWGC record of 14 wins and 18 losses; Ceph Alopodis! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 18 wins and 10 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Alopodis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Merlin sprawls well. Merlin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alopodis gets slowly back to his feet.
Alopodis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Merlin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Alopodis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ceph Alopodis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alopodis fails with a takedown attempt.
Merlin scores with a takedown into Alopodis's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Alopodis (0) vs (2) Merlin
Alopodis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Alopodis (0) vs (5) Merlin
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin just content to control the position.
Alopodis is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Alopodis is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the action but Alopodis is working from the bottom.
Alopodis is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Alopodis is working away.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Alopodis is defending well.
Alopodis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Alopodis.
Alopodis can't keep his opponent in guard - Merlin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems to be working for a kimura but Alopodis defends the submission attempt.
Alopodis wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Alopodis's coaches at Gonzasco Hydropathy 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but Alopodis defending well.
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 prevents Alopodis from improving his position.
Merlin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Alopodis! Score +3 for passing guard: Alopodis (0) vs (8) Merlin
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Merlin wants to finish this one by submission but Alopodis is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Merlin.
Merlin avoids the attempt from Alopodis to control.
Alopodis is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alopodis tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alopodis is looking to escape.
Merlin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alopodis haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Alopodis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Alopodis sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Alopodis is staying active underneath Merlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Alopodis tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Merlin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but Alopodis defending well.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Alopodis is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Merlin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Merlin is trying to control. Alopodis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis works his way to full guard. Good work.
Merlin pushes down on Alopodis's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Alopodis wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Alopodis won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Merlin wants to take a breather but Alopodis is having none of it.
Alopodis is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Merlin is keen to just control but Alopodis is a slippery customer.
Alopodis is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alopodis wants to sweep but Merlin has passed to side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Alopodis (0) vs (11) Merlin
Alopodis is looking to regain half guard here but Merlin keeps moving and retains side control.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis stops Merlin from passing to mount.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Alopodis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Merlin just content to control the position.
Merlin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Alopodis's legs.
Merlin wants to control but Alopodis is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin 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 Alopodis's shoulder. That is not cool.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Alopodis tries to bench press Merlin off him but Merlin keeps the position.
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Alopodis tries to improve position but can't.
Merlin trying to control the position but Alopodis is working away.
Alopodis is looking to regain half guard here but Merlin keeps moving and retains side control.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin happy to just control the position for now.
Alopodis looking for a sweep but Merlin has passed into full mount! Oh no! Score +2 for reaching mount: Alopodis (0) vs (13) Merlin
Alopodis is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alopodis wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Merlin trying to control but Alopodis is having none of it.
Alopodis is wriggling around trying to escape.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Alopodis can't escape the position.
Alopodis tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Merlin controlling from mount.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Alopodis is squirming around nicely.
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
Merlin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alopodis is looking to escape.
Alopodis is looking to get to half guard.
Merlin trying to control but Alopodis is having none of it.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Merlin perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Alopodis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Merlin 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.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alopodis is keeping the position for now.
Merlin is still trying to improve position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis 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.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alopodis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alopodis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Alopodis looking to control but Merlin passes into half guard.
Alopodis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Merlin is working away from the top position though.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Alopodis is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Alopodis tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Merlin trying to control the action but Alopodis is working from the bottom.
Merlin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Alopodis wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 13 to 0.
A victorious Xavier Merlin thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter. |
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