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Stepping Stone 50 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 St Petersburg, with a TWGC record of 6 wins and 4 losses; Lamban Gaul! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 3 wins and 1 losses; Brad Hartwell!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Hartwell clinches with his opponent.
Hartwell is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gaul can't fight it off and eventually Hartwell manages to take the fight to the floor. Gaul looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Gaul (0) vs (2) Hartwell
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Gaul tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hartwell has gone for a leg lock! Gaul slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hartwell's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gaul (2) vs (2) Hartwell
Our spies down at at The Hartwell Dungeon inform us that Hartwell has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Hartwell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hartwell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gaul is aware though and is defending well.
Gaul 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.
Gaul trying to control but Hartwell is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaul wants to pass the guard but Hartwell is keeping the position.
Hartwell 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.
Hartwell is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaul controlling from the top position.
Gaul won't allow Hartwell to sweep him here.
Gaul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hartwell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hartwell lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gaul (2) vs (4) Hartwell
Hartwell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gaul is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gaul has escaped and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gaul (4) vs (4) Hartwell
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gaul trying to control the position from guard on top but Hartwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gaul is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hartwell is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaul engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gaul preventing the sweep.
Gaul got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hartwell has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gaul has managed to get both his arms back between Hartwell's legs - danger averted.
Hartwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gaul is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hartwell 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.
Hartwell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gaul's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gaul (4) vs (6) Hartwell
Hartwell drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gaul looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gaul looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gaul! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gaul (8) vs (6) Hartwell
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartwell is trying to improve his position.
Hartwell keeps trying to improve his position.
Gaul is looking to take a break and control but Hartwell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gaul controlling the position from side mount.
Gaul has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaul tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaul trying to control the action but Hartwell is working from the bottom.
Gaul is staying tight to Hartwell's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Gaul wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hartwell, who protects the arm well.
Hartwell tries to improve position but can't.
Gaul trying to control the position but Hartwell is working away.
Gaul thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hartwell sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hartwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gaul is looking to take a break and control but Hartwell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hartwell tries to roll over but Gaul keeps him under control.
Gaul seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hartwell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hartwell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hartwell.
Hartwell wants to sweep here but Gaul controlling him for the moment.
Gaul trying to control but Hartwell is working from the bottom.
Gaul pushes down on Hartwell's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gaul trying to control from half guard but Hartwell is working away.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gaul is pressing down on Hartwell's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hartwell is holding on for now.
Gaul is working for a kimura but Hartwell is defending it quite comfortably.
Hartwell manages to get to full guard.
Hartwell keeping moving, preventing Gaul from controlling successfully.
Gaul looking to pass the guard.
Gaul pushing down on Hartwell's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hartwell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hartwell.
Hartwell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gaul doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gaul manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gaul passes Hartwell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hartwell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hartwell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gaul pulls his head out easily.
Hartwell wants to improve his position but Gaul is controlling well.
Hartwell is refusing to be controlled, as Gaul sits in half guard.
Hartwell moves into full guard.
Gaul's corner is telling him to maintain position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hartwell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gaul stays in close to Hartwell's body and controls the position.
Gaul passes Hartwell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gaul prevents Hartwell from improving his position.
Gaul with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Gaul is trying to work for a kimura but Hartwell is defending well.
Gaul frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Gaul (11) vs (6) Hartwell
Gaul content just to control the position here.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hartwell sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hartwell tries to roll over but Gaul keeps him under control.
Gaul is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hartwell defends it well.
Hartwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hartwell is pressing down on Gaul's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hartwell can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hartwell looking for a sweep. Not yet Hartwell, not yet.
Gaul is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hartwell 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.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Hartwell can't keep his opponent in guard - Gaul advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hartwell tries to roll over but Gaul keeps him under control.
Hartwell regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gaul trying to control the position from guard on top but Hartwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartwell looking for a sweep. Not yet Hartwell, not yet.
Hartwell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gaul is aware though and is defending well.
Gaul 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.
Gaul works a leg free and moves into half guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Gaul wants to work for an arm triangle but Hartwell is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gaul moves into full mount! Hartwell won't be happy about that! Score +3 for passing guard: Gaul (14) vs (6) Hartwell
Hartwell is desperately trying to improve his position but Gaul has a good base and remains in mount.
Gaul looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Gaul tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gaul is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Hartwell is surviving well by controlling Gaul's body position as best he can.
Hartwell sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hartwell gets back to full guard.
Hartwell wants to sweep here but Gaul controlling him for the moment.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Gaul engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gaul wants to control from the top but Hartwell keeps moving.
Gaul is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hartwell keeping moving, preventing Gaul from controlling successfully.
Hartwell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gaul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hartwell is keeping the position for now.
Gaul trying to control but Hartwell is working from the bottom.
Gaul won't allow Hartwell to sweep him here.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Gaul trying to control but Hartwell is working from the bottom.
Hartwell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gaul is one step ahead there.
Gaul looking to pass the guard.
Hartwell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gaul manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gaul (14) vs (8) Hartwell
Hartwell drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gaul dives on top into guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gaul (16) vs (8) Hartwell
Hartwell looks winded!
Hartwell wants to hit a sweep here but Gaul passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hartwell there! Score +3 for passing guard: Gaul (19) vs (8) Hartwell
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Gaul moves to the back. Score +3 for taking back: Gaul (22) vs (8) Hartwell
Gaul trying to control momentarily.
Gaul looking to break Hartwell's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hartwell remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Gaul will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Hartwell is trying to break free.
Hartwell is still trying to improve position.
Gaul has the hooks in. Hartwell is starting to panic. He's trying to push off one of the legs but he's left his neck open to attack. Gaul passes his arm under Hartwell's neck and tightens up a rear naked choke! This one is surely all over! Yes, Hartwell taps!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 14:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Lamban Gaul!
During a confident post fight interview, Lamban Gaul thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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