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WPGC 3.0 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 New York, with a TWGC record of 39 wins and 21 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 17 wins and 13 losses; Long Wang!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Wang tries to clinch but Merlin is having none of it.
Wang moves into the clinch.
Merlin has Wang pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Merlin pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Wang tumbling to the mat - Merlin dives into Wang's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Wang
Wang looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Wang holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wang 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: Merlin (2) vs (2) Wang
Wang trying to mount his opponent but Merlin defends it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard.
Wang wants to pass the guard but Merlin is defending well.
Wang is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've been hearing good reports from Merlin's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Wang trying to control from half guard but Merlin is working away.
Wang controlling the action here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wang is trying to control the action in half guard but Merlin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Wang is just content to waste time from the top position. Merlin takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wang 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.
Wang forces his way into half guard.
Wang keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wang is working for a submission of some sort.
Wang wants to work for an arm triangle but Merlin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wang is trying to work for a kimura but Merlin is defending well.
Merlin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Wang is controlling the pace.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wang is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wang not doing much here.
Wang is working for a kimura but Merlin is defending it quite comfortably.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wang moves nicely into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (5) Wang
The referee asks Wang politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Wang prefers to stall for the moment though.
Let's hope that Wang has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Wang is trying to get an arm triangle but Merlin is defending well.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wang wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merlin keeps working.
Merlin is trying to get back to half guard.
Wang wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merlin keeps working.
Wang tries for a kimura but Merlin is defending well.
Merlin stops Wang from passing to mount.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wang moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Wang goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Merlin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Wang's guard! Nice work there by Merlin! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (5) Wang
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wang throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wang wants to sweep but no luck.
Wang wants to control the position but Merlin says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin wants to take a breather but Wang is having none of it.
Wang moves into full guard.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin trying to control but Wang is working from the bottom.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin 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.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Wang keeps moving.
Wang looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wang is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wang pushes a forearm under Merlin's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Merlin is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 11:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Long Wang!
An out of breath Long Wang 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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