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TWG 38 (205lbs, D2): Montreal Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the light heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 3 wins and 4 losses; Zachary Benjamins! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Gotan Wasselach!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Benjamins shoots in for a double leg but Wasselach sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wasselach clinches with his opponent.
We've been informed that Wasselach has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Wasselach is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Benjamins is defending well.
Benjamins drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wasselach gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Benjamins is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wasselach is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zachary Benjamins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wasselach goes for a takedown in the clinch but Benjamins prevents it.
Wasselach tries for a takedown. No joy.
Benjamins gets underhooks to prevent Wasselach's takedown attempt.
Benjamins prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wasselach is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Benjamins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wasselach goes for a takedown in the clinch but Benjamins prevents it.
Wasselach goes for a takedown in the clinch but Benjamins prevents it.
Wasselach is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Benjamins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wasselach prevents it.
Wasselach looking for a takedown.
Wasselach is pressed up against the cage. Benjamins has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wasselach down to the mat. Wasselach avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wasselach stuffs the takedown.
Benjamins has closed the distance and engaged Wasselach in a clinch.
Benjamins tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wasselach is trying to drag Benjamins to the mat but Benjamins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wasselach is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Benjamins can't fight it off and eventually Wasselach manages to take the fight to the floor. Benjamins looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Benjamins (0) vs (2) Wasselach
Wasselach drops back, looking for a kneebar! Benjamins looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Benjamins looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Benjamins! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Benjamins (4) vs (2) Wasselach
Who's going to make the next move?
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wasselach is trying to work for a sweep but Benjamins has mounted him! Score +2 for reaching mount: Benjamins (6) vs (2) Wasselach
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benjamins avoids the attempt from Wasselach to control.
Benjamins moves to take his opponent's back. Score +3 for taking back: Benjamins (9) vs (2) Wasselach
Benjamins is looking for the choke from the back position but Wasselach is controlling his hands well.
Benjamins is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Wasselach knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Wasselach for a finish.
Benjamins seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Benjamins doesn't have the hooks in and Wasselach manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Benjamins (9) vs (4) Wasselach
Wasselach is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Benjamins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamins wants to hit a sweep here but Wasselach passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Benjamins there! Score +3 for passing guard: Benjamins (9) vs (7) Wasselach
Benjamins can't escape the position.
Wasselach tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Benjamins is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Benjamins tries to reverse the position but Wasselach maintains control.
Wasselach working for a guillotine from mount but Benjamins is in no mood to give up.
Wasselach is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Benjamins has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Wasselach avoids the attempt from Benjamins to control.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach looking to secure an arm triangle but Benjamins defends it well.
Wasselach jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Benjamins is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Benjamins and Wasselach has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Benjamins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Benjamins is not content to let Wasselach control the position.
Wasselach tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach is looking to take a break and control but Benjamins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Benjamins manages to work his way to half guard, despite Wasselach's best efforts.
Benjamins trying to hold on to Wasselach's head to control him but Wasselach postures up.
Wasselach with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Wasselach is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wasselach controlling the pace.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Benjamins is trying to maintain the position but Wasselach is very close to passing his half guard.
Wasselach prevents Benjamins from improving his position.
Wasselach is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Benjamins is just riding it out for now. Wasselach eventually gives up the hold.
Wasselach seems to be working for a kimura but Benjamins defends the submission attempt.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Benjamins trying to hold on to Wasselach's head to control him but Wasselach postures up.
Benjamins tries to roll over but Wasselach keeps him under control.
Wasselach trying to pass the guard but Benjamins defending well.
Benjamins trying to control from the bottom.
Wasselach controlling the action here.
Wasselach is working for a kimura but Benjamins is defending it quite comfortably.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Benjamins wants to improve his position but Wasselach is controlling well.
Benjamins makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Benjamins.
Wasselach won't allow Benjamins to sweep him here.
Benjamins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wasselach manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Benjamins (11) vs (7) Wasselach
Wasselach is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Benjamins (11) vs (9) Wasselach
Wasselach trying to mount his opponent but Benjamins defends it.
Benjamins wants to control but Wasselach is keeping busy.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach controlling the action here.
Wasselach is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wasselach is working for a kimura but Benjamins is defending it quite comfortably.
Benjamins is looking to control Wasselach's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Benjamins avoid being mounted?
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach is looking for a kimura but Benjamins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wasselach to get the leverage.
Wasselach is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Wasselach is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benjamins defends it well.
Wasselach trying to pass the guard but Benjamins defending well.
Benjamins is trying to get back to full guard.
Wasselach is looking to advance position but Benjamins won't allow it.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Benjamins is trying to control but can't.
Benjamins wants to improve his position but Wasselach is controlling well.
Wasselach is looking for a kimura but Benjamins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wasselach to get the leverage.
Wasselach trying to pass the guard but Benjamins defending well.
Benjamins tries to get to full guard but Wasselach has control of the leg.
Wasselach wants to pass the guard but Benjamins is defending well.
Benjamins trying to hold on to Wasselach's head to control him but Wasselach postures up.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach is taking a breather. Benjamins 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.
Wasselach is pressing down on Benjamins's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benjamins is holding on for now.
Benjamins tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Wasselach has advanced to mount. Uh oh. Score +3 for passing guard: Benjamins (11) vs (12) Wasselach
Wasselach takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Benjamins manages to regain half guard. Good work.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Wasselach is pressing down on Benjamins's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benjamins is holding on for now.
Wasselach prevents Benjamins from improving his position.
Wasselach stalling.
Wasselach is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Benjamins is just riding it out for now. Wasselach eventually gives up the hold.
Wasselach seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that's the end of the fight!
Wasselach wins on points by 12 to 11.
Our winner, Gotan Wasselach, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans. |
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