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WPGC 1 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 Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 1 losses; Gotan Wasselach! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 29 wins and 17 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shirou Masuda.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wasselach but Wasselach pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Merlin tries to get set, Wasselach tries to push him back and clinch up but Merlin manages to avoid the attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Merlin or perhaps it was just good defense by Wasselach, which made it look bad.
Wasselach tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Merlin manages to circle out of the way.
Wasselach gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Merlin to score an easy takedown into full guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Wasselach (0) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Wasselach wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wasselach is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Wasselach keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Wasselach will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wasselach looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wasselach looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Merlin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Merlin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wasselach does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Wasselach is trying to get back to full guard.
Wasselach trying to control but Merlin postures up.
Wasselach is refusing to be controlled, as Merlin sits in half guard.
Wasselach is trying to control but can't.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Merlin is keen to just control but Wasselach is a slippery customer.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but Wasselach defending well.
Merlin prevents Wasselach from improving his position.
Wasselach is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
Wasselach wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin slows the pace down in half guard.
Wasselach wants to get back to full guard.
Wasselach trying to control here.
Wasselach tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Wasselach is working hard here to advance position.
Wasselach wants to control the action here but instead Merlin manages to pass to full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Wasselach (0) vs (5) Merlin
Wasselach really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Wasselach wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Wasselach working to try and regain half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at KFA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Merlin trying to control but Wasselach is having none of it.
Wasselach is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
Wasselach holds of for dear life.
Wasselach manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Wasselach tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Wasselach is trying to control but can't.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin slows the pace down in half guard.
Wasselach trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
Merlin trying to mount his opponent but Wasselach defends it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Merlin prevents Wasselach from improving his position.
Wasselach is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Merlin has latched onto it... Big trouble! Merlin pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Wasselach is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Merlin!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Xavier Merlin!
An out of breath Xavier Merlin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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