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Stepping Stone 49 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Los Angeles, with a TWGC record of 9 wins and 7 losses; Scott Hall! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 3 wins and 6 losses; Volodymyr Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Kersikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hall tries to avoid it but Kersikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hall to the ground. Hall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kersikov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kersikov showed some decent athleticism there. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Hall (0) vs (2) Kersikov
Kersikov prevents Hall from improving his position.
Hall makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hall.
Hall 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.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Hall is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hall is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hall keeping full guard, as Kersikov tries to pass.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov stopping the sweep attempt from Hall.
Hall has his hands on Kersikov's head, controlling the position.
Hall has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hall wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Kersikov passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Hall (0) vs (5) Kersikov
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hall is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
Hall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Hall tries to improve position but can't.
Hall can't do much from the bottom here.
Hall gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hall controlling the position well.
Hall is trying to get back to full guard.
Hall is working hard here to advance position.
Hall gets full guard.
Hall lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hall (2) vs (5) Kersikov
Hall works a leg free and moves into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall slows the pace down in half guard.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Hall.
Hall's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Kersikov felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Hall is looking to advance position but Kersikov won't allow it.
Hall sitting and controlling from the half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kersikov won't allow Hall to pass to mount.
Hall seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Hall continues to hold on tight.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hall is looking to advance position but Kersikov won't allow it.
Kersikov is looking for a sweep. Hall is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hall is controlling the pace.
Hall looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kersikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hall not doing much here.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hall prevents Kersikov from improving his position.
Hall is taking a breather. Kersikov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Hall will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hall uses his free foot to push down on Kersikov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kersikov. Score +3 for passing guard: Hall (5) vs (5) Kersikov
Hall tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hall seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kersikov for as long as he can get away with.
Kersikov stops Hall from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hall tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hall prevents Kersikov from getting the reversal.
Hall sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Further stalling from Hall.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Hall is stinking the place up with his stalling.
Hall is trying to take his opponent's back.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov regains half guard.
Hall works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Hall (8) vs (5) Kersikov
Hall slows the pace down.
Hall continues to stall.
More hug and hope from Hall.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hall wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hall in side control, just content to control the action for now.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Hall takes the fight on points by 8 to 5.
Scott Hall decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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