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WP 18 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 49 wins and 25 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 3 losses; Gaston Juncker!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Nice takedown defense from Juncker. No joy for Merlin on that attempt.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Juncker has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Merlin gets caught napping as Juncker dives in and scores a takedown. Merlin manages to retain guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Juncker
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Merlin holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juncker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin seems keen to control Juncker's posture.
Merlin controls Juncker momentarily but Juncker frees himself.
Merlin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working a defensive guard here.
Juncker wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Juncker won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juncker passes into half guard.
Juncker has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (0) vs (5) Juncker
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.
Juncker looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to hold on but Juncker pushes him away.
Juncker content just to control the position here.
Merlin is looking to improve his position but Juncker isn't that keen on the idea.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Merlin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Juncker tries to control but Merlin wriggling away.
Merlin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Juncker is pressing down on Merlin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Merlin is holding on for now.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Juncker seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
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.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Juncker is working away from the top position though.
Juncker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Juncker trying to pass the guard but Merlin defending well.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is thwarting Merlin's attempts to control the position.
Juncker wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard but Juncker has mounted him! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (0) vs (8) Juncker
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin is trying to escape the mount.
Juncker content just to control the position here.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to escape the mount.
Juncker trying to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Merlin is in all sorts of trouble here.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker controlling the pace for now.
Juncker trying to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Juncker might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Merlin haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Juncker controlling from mount.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying desperately to improve position.
Juncker wants to control the pace but Merlin is squirming around nicely.
Merlin wants to hold on but Juncker pushes him away.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to improve his position but Juncker isn't that keen on the idea.
Juncker avoids the attempt from Merlin to control.
Juncker sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Juncker avoids the attempt from Merlin to control.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker controlling from the full mount.
Merlin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Merlin is squirming around, avoiding Juncker's attempts to control the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Juncker controlling the pace for now.
And that's the end of the fight!
Juncker wins on points by 8 to 0.
An out of breath Gaston Juncker 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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