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WP 21 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 51 wins and 27 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 6 wins and 6 losses; Gaston Juncker!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Merlin (4) vs (0) Juncker
You can see the frustration on Juncker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Juncker manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merlin's best efforts.
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 trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
Merlin prevents Juncker from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juncker actively working from the bottom here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin prevents Juncker from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
Juncker tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Juncker is working away.
Merlin prevents Juncker from improving his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juncker tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Merlin has advanced to mount. Uh oh. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (7) vs (0) Juncker
Juncker tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
Juncker is working to get back to half guard.
Juncker tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Juncker is trying desperately to improve position.
Juncker wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Juncker can't escape the position.
Juncker has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
Juncker keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Juncker regains half guard.
Merlin is trying to control. Juncker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merlin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Juncker moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Juncker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
Juncker is looking for a triangle but Merlin pushes his legs off easily.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Juncker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Merlin is thwarting Juncker's attempts to control the position.
Juncker tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems to be looking for submissions.
Juncker is looking to improve his position.
Merlin moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Juncker. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (10) vs (0) Juncker
Merlin controls the position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is looking to reverse the position.
Merlin tries to advance to mount but can't.
Juncker struggling a bit here.
Juncker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin controls the position.
Juncker is trying to improve his position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Merlin is one step ahead and moves to full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (12) vs (0) Juncker
Juncker is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Juncker can't escape the position.
Juncker is still trying to improve position.
Merlin tries to control but Juncker wriggling away.
Juncker is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control but Juncker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Juncker is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
Juncker wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Juncker is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Merlin is staying active.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Juncker sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Juncker tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is thwarting Juncker's attempts to control the position.
Juncker wants to get back to full guard.
Merlin trying to control the action but Juncker is working from the bottom.
Juncker wants to sweep but Merlin has passed to side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (15) vs (0) Juncker
Juncker is trying to get back to half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin gets to mount! Juncker was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly. Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (17) vs (0) Juncker
Merlin trying to control but Juncker is having none of it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 17 to 0.
During a confident post fight interview, Xavier Merlin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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