|
|
TWG 38 (205lbs, D4): Finals - 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 Helsinki, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 0 losses; Albert Blaird! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 0 losses; Hank Robinson!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Blaird tries to clinch there but Robinson circles away.
Blaird moves into the clinch.
Robinson turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Robinson manages to end up in side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Blaird (0) vs (4) Robinson
Blaird being controlled for a moment.
Blaird is trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Blaird's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robinson trying to control the position but Blaird is working away.
Robinson 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 one minute gone in the round.
Robinson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Blaird gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Robinson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Blaird knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Blaird is trying to maintain the position but Robinson is very close to passing his half guard.
Blaird actively working from the bottom here.
Robinson controlling the action here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robinson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Blaird (0) vs (7) Robinson
Robinson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Robinson working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Robinson wants to take Blaird's back here but Blaird is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Robinson controlling the pace for now.
Robinson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Blaird is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Blaird (2) vs (7) Robinson
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robinson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Blaird stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Robinson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blaird sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Robinson's guard.
Blaird is looking to advance position but Robinson won't allow it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Robinson can do anything to dispel that myth.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robinson trying to control here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Robinson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Robinson looking for a sweep. Not yet Robinson, not yet.
Robinson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Robinson is trying to control the position but Blaird postures up.
Blaird wants to control from the top but Robinson keeps moving.
Blaird won't allow Robinson to sweep him here.
Robinson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Blaird forces his way into half guard.
Blaird is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are battling for position here. Robinson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Blaird won't allow Robinson to sweep him here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Robinson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Robinson 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.
Robinson wants to control but Blaird passes easily into half guard.
Robinson is looking to improve his position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Blaird is looking to advance position but Robinson won't allow it.
Robinson wants to improve his position but Blaird is controlling well.
Blaird is looking to take a break and control but Robinson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Blaird is working for a kimura but Robinson is defending it quite comfortably.
Robinson tries to get to full guard but Blaird has control of the leg.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Blaird is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Robinson defends it well.
Robinson wants to get back to full guard.
Robinson trying to control from the bottom.
Robinson wants to improve his position but Blaird is controlling well.
Robinson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Robinson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Blaird. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Blaird's corner is telling him to maintain position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Blaird won't allow Robinson to sweep him here.
Robinson is looking to sweep but instead, Blaird has passed into half guard.
Blaird trying to mount his opponent but Robinson defends it.
Robinson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Robinson is trying to control but can't.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Blaird is trying to control. Robinson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Robinson is looking for a sweep. Blaird is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Blaird wants to lay and pray for a moment but Robinson keeps working.
Robinson is looking to improve his position.
Robinson wants to control but Blaird is keeping busy.
Robinson is looking for a sweep. Blaird is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Blaird seems to be working for a kimura but Robinson defends the submission attempt.
Robinson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Blaird wants to control but Robinson is keeping him busy.
Robinson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Blaird is working away from the top position though.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Blaird in particular looking to stall.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Robinson tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Blaird has advanced to mount. Uh oh. Score +3 for passing guard: Blaird (5) vs (7) Robinson
Blaird looking for a guillotine from mount but Robinson is having none of it.
Robinson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Robinson tries to lock up and control but Blaird gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Robinson tries to reverse the position but Blaird maintains control.
Blaird avoids the attempt from Robinson to control.
Blaird controlling the pace for now.
Robinson looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back! Score +3 for taking back: Blaird (8) vs (7) Robinson
Robinson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Blaird looking for the choke from the back.
Robinson just trying to survive but Blaird is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Blaird keeps control of the position as Robinson tries to break free.
Robinson is looking to escape here. Oh dear - Blaird has locked on a rear naked choke here! Robinson is tapping out! The fight is over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 14:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Albert Blaird!
After winning the bout, Albert Blaird thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility. |
|
|
|
|
|
