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CWC 368 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 0 wins and 0 losses; Paul Gascoigne! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 11 wins and 22 losses; Mark Merel!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merel slaps away a takedown attempt from Gascoigne, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Merel shoots in and drives through. Gascoigne sprawls well.
Gascoigne drops down looking for a counter takedown but Merel sprawls and moves away.
Gascoigne shoots for a double leg takedown but Merel sprawls well. He's pushed Gascoigne's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gascoigne has taken the fight to the clinch.
Merel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gascoigne smiles and moves away.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Gascoigne enables Merel to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gascoigne manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Gascoigne (0) vs (2) Merel
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gascoigne is trying to control the position but Merel postures up.
Merel wants to control from the top but Gascoigne keeps moving.
Merel passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Gascoigne (0) vs (5) Merel
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gascoigne stops Merel from passing to mount.
Gascoigne tries to bench press Merel off him but Merel keeps the position.
Gascoigne is trying to control Merel's posture but Merel avoids it.
Gascoigne's coaches at Globo Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Merel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gascoigne tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel tries to advance to mount but Gascoigne denies him.
Merel has knee on belly and moves into mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Gascoigne (0) vs (7) Merel
Merel tries to control but Gascoigne wriggling away.
Merel is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Gascoigne has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Gascoigne! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gascoigne (2) vs (7) Merel
Gascoigne 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.
Gascoigne trying to control the position from guard on top but Merel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gascoigne is looking to advance position but Merel has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gascoigne (2) vs (11) Merel
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne is desperately trying to improve his position but Merel has a good base and remains in mount.
Merel tries to control but Gascoigne wriggling away.
Gascoigne tries to lock up and control but Merel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gascoigne is looking to get to half guard.
Gascoigne bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gascoigne (4) vs (11) Merel
Gascoigne got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gascoigne has managed to get both his arms back between Merel's legs - danger averted.
Gascoigne looking to sit in guard and control but Merel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gascoigne (4) vs (13) Merel
Gascoigne wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Merel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gascoigne swivels though and keeps the full guard.
My spies in Glory 4 Boxing inform me that Merel has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Gascoigne looking to control.
Gascoigne can't keep his opponent in guard - Merel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gascoigne looking for submissions off his back.
Merel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne is refusing to be controlled, as Merel sits in half guard.
Gascoigne is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merel's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gascoigne (8) vs (13) Merel
Gascoigne is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Merel has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Merel prevents Gascoigne from getting a body triangle.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
I really don't envy Merel right now.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Gascoigne trying to control momentarily.
Merel preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Gascoigne.
Gascoigne working for a choke but Merel is defending well.
Merel fending off the submission attempt from Gascoigne.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merel defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Gascoigne is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Gascoigne trying to control momentarily.
Merel wants to control his opponent's hands but Gascoigne gets his hands free.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merel defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gascoigne's arms.
Merel trying to control but not successfully.
Gascoigne is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Merel defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Gascoigne is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne keeps control of the position as Merel tries to break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gascoigne looking for the RNC.
Gascoigne working for a choke but Merel reverses nicely into Gascoigne 's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gascoigne (8) vs (15) Merel
Merel tries to free his leg and advance position but Gascoigne is retaining full guard.
Merel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Merel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Merel passes Gascoigne's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Merel is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Gascoigne still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Gascoigne has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gascoigne (12) vs (15) Merel
Merel stops Gascoigne from passing to mount.
Gascoigne wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Merel, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Merel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merel is trying to get back to half guard.
Merel prevents Gascoigne from improving position.
Gascoigne is looking to take a break and control but Merel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gascoigne working away.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Gascoigne is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Merel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gascoigne trying to control the position but Merel is working away.
Gascoigne taking a breather here.
Gascoigne tries for a kimura but Merel is defending well.
Gascoigne is trying to get an arm triangle but Merel is defending well.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Merel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gascoigne in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Gascoigne wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merel keeps working.
Gascoigne takes a little break here. Merel wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merel isn't going anywhere.
Gascoigne is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Merel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gascoigne working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gascoigne trying to control the position but Merel is working away.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merel wins on points by 15 to 12.
A victorious Mark Merel thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter. |
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