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WP5 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 41 wins and 22 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 26 wins and 27 losses; Marc Read!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Read fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Merlin sprawls well initially but Read persists and gets the takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Read
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Merlin is controlling Read's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Read controlling the action here.
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.
Merlin tries to roll over but Read keeps him under control.
Read is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Merlin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Read.
Read trying to mount his opponent but Merlin defends it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin is refusing to be controlled, as Read sits in half guard.
Merlin is trying to maintain the position but Read is very close to passing his half guard.
Read is working for a kimura but Merlin is defending it quite comfortably.
Read passes to full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (0) vs (5) Read
Read goes for an armbar but Merlin turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Merlin. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (5) Read
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Read wants to sweep but no luck.
Read is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Merlin defends well.
Read working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Merlin has passed into half guard!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Read trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Merlin manages to pass to mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (5) Read
Merlin is stalling here but it's allowed Read to get half guard.
Read is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Read is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Read is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Read is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Merlin pulls his head out easily.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Read works his way to full guard. Good work.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Read is keeping the position for now.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Read is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Read wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin trying to control but Read is working from the bottom.
Read trying to control the position.
Read tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin trying to control but Read is working from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Read is adopting a defensive guard.
Read lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (5) vs (7) Read
Merlin is pulling down on Read's head. It's preventing any offense from Read, at least for the moment.
My spies in Blacktalians MMA inform me that Read has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Read trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Read wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Read looking to sit in guard and control but Merlin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (7) vs (7) Read
Read wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Read is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Read is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Merlin controlling the action here.
Read moves into full guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Read is controlling Merlin's posture.
Read being controlled here, momentarily.
Read is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Read swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Read looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Merlin passes into half guard.
Read is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Read moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Read keeps moving.
Read wants to sweep but no luck.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Read wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Read is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Read is still trying to improve position.
Read is in trouble now - Merlin has advanced to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (10) vs (7) Read
Merlin controlling his opponent.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Read regains half guard.
Read is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Read tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Read is trying to control but can't.
Read gets full guard.
Merlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Read throws his legs up looking for a submission but Merlin uses it to pass to side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (13) vs (7) Read
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Read is trying to get back to half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 13 to 7.
A very excited looking Xavier Merlin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction. |
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