|
|
WP 29 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 9 wins and 11 losses; Gaston Juncker! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 54 wins and 32 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Merlin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Juncker! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Juncker (0) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin trying to control the action but Juncker is working from the bottom.
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!
Juncker wants to control but Merlin postures up.
Juncker has one of Merlin's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Juncker struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juncker trying to control but Merlin flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back! Score +3 for taking back: Juncker (0) vs (7) Merlin
Juncker trying to control the position but Merlin manages to sink in the hooks.
Juncker is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Juncker's coaches at House of 1000 Corpses 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.
That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Juncker's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Merlin controls the position.
Juncker rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Juncker is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Merlin tries to pass to full mount but Juncker defends it.
Merlin trying to advance position but Juncker counters by regaining guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to sweep but no luck.
Juncker is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Juncker (2) vs (7) Merlin
Juncker trying to pass the guard but Merlin defending well.
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.
Juncker sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Juncker tries to pass to full mount but Merlin defends it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to improve his position but Juncker is controlling well.
Juncker trying to control from half guard but Merlin is working away.
Merlin trying to control but Juncker postures up.
Juncker stalling away here and it's allowed Merlin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Juncker from controlling successfully.
Merlin trying to control the position.
Juncker trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Juncker controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Juncker passes Merlin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Juncker prevents Merlin from improving his position.
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.
Juncker trying to pass the guard but Merlin defending well.
Merlin tries to roll over but Juncker keeps him under control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Juncker trying to control the pace.
Merlin is pressing down on Juncker's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Juncker stopping the sweep attempt from Merlin.
Juncker slips nicely into half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Merlin controlling the position for now.
Juncker is thwarting Merlin's attempts to control the position.
Juncker is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Juncker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merlin is pulling down on Juncker's head to control his posture.
Juncker trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Juncker controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Merlin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Juncker (2) vs (9) Merlin
Juncker is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
Juncker is trying to keep Merlin in close.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Juncker keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Juncker controlling the position.
Juncker trying to keep a closed guard but Merlin is proving a slippery customer.
Juncker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Juncker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Merlin has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Juncker (2) vs (12) Merlin
Merlin wants to control but Juncker is keeping him busy.
Merlin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Juncker's legs.
Juncker is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Juncker struggling a bit here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Juncker gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there! Score +2 for reaching mount: Juncker (2) vs (14) Merlin
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Juncker is squirming around nicely.
Juncker wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Juncker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Juncker is looking to escape.
Juncker is looking to improve his position but Merlin isn't that keen on the idea.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Merlin prevents Juncker from getting the reversal.
Juncker sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Merlin is trying to control. Juncker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Juncker trying to control from the bottom.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Juncker.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Juncker throws his legs up looking for a submission but Merlin uses it to pass to side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Juncker (2) vs (17) Merlin
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Juncker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Juncker manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merlin's best efforts.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
Juncker tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 17 to 2.
A victorious Xavier Merlin thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter. |
|
|
|
|
|
