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WP 10 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 25 wins and 32 losses; Billy Turturro! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 44 wins and 23 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Russell Pearce and Lou da Vinci.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Merlin scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Turturro (0) vs (4) Merlin
Turturro is looking to reverse the position.
Turturro is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Turturro! Score +2 for reaching mount: Turturro (0) vs (6) Merlin
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Turturro is trying desperately to improve position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Turturro is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Turturro sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the pace.
Turturro looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Turturro is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Merlin jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Turturro (0) vs (9) Merlin
Merlin trying to control the position but Turturro is working away.
Turturro tries to bench press Merlin off him but Merlin keeps the position.
Turturro manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Turturro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Turturro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Turturro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
Turturro will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Turturro has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Merlin is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Turturro. Score +3 for passing guard: Turturro (0) vs (12) Merlin
Merlin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Turturro, who protects the arm well.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin postures up.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Turturro regains half guard.
Merlin trying to control the pace.
Turturro tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Turturro looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Turturro wants to get back to full guard.
Merlin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Turturro regains full guard. Nicely done.
Turturro is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've been hearing good reports from Turturro'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.
Turturro is looking for a triangle but Merlin pushes his legs off easily.
My spies in KFA inform me that Merlin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Turturro looking to control.
Turturro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Merlin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Turturro is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merlin slips nicely into half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin works his way into full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Turturro (0) vs (15) Merlin
Turturro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Turturro tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Turturro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Turturro is looking to escape.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is wriggling around trying to escape.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Turturro 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: Turturro (2) vs (15) Merlin
Turturro works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Turturro is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Merlin is just riding it out for now. Turturro eventually gives up the hold.
Merlin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Turturro trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Merlin manages to land a sweep and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Turturro (2) vs (17) Merlin
Turturro has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Merlin is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Turturro. Score +3 for passing guard: Turturro (2) vs (20) Merlin
Turturro tries to buck Merlin off but Merlin is having none of it.
Turturro tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Merlin presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Turturro (2) vs (22) Merlin
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Turturro is working away.
Turturro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Merlin not doing much here.
Merlin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Turturro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Turturro has managed to free his arm - good work.
Turturro tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turturro wants to get back to full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 22 to 2.
Xavier Merlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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