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WP 34 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 Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 30 wins and 31 losses; Long Wang! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 59 wins and 32 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Merlin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Wang did well to prevent Merlin getting side control. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Wang (0) vs (2) Merlin
Wang won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Wang is looking to control Merlin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wang avoid being mounted?
Wang actively working from the bottom here.
Wang wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin is thwarting Wang's attempts to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wang regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merlin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wang trying to control here.
Wang actively working from the bottom here.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Wang wants to get back to full guard but Merlin has passed into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Wang (0) vs (5) Merlin
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controls the position.
Merlin trying to control the action but Wang is working from the bottom.
Merlin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Wang haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Merlin wants to control for a moment but Wang uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wang tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Wang wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wang is trying to get back to full guard.
Wang is trying to control but can't.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Wang is defending well.
Merlin has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at KFA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Wang is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Wang wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Wang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wang tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Wang is working away.
Merlin stalling.
Wang trying to control from the bottom.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wang is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Wang is working away.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wang is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Wang actively working from the bottom here.
Wang is looking to improve his position.
Wang has a hand on Merlin's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Merlin takes advantage of the position though and mounts him! Score +3 for passing guard: Wang (0) vs (8) Merlin
Wang tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wang is working hard here to advance position.
Wang tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
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.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Wang is squirming around nicely.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Wang can't escape the position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Wang tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Wang is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Wang wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Wang working to try and regain half guard.
Wang tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wang is looking to escape.
Wang tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Wang is looking to get to half guard.
Merlin is stalling here but it's allowed Wang to get half guard.
Wang is trying to get back to full guard.
Wang is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merlin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merlin's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Wang (4) vs (8) Merlin
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Wang is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Wang working for a choke but Merlin is defending well.
Wang looking for the choke from the back.
Will Wang go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Wang.
Wang tries to keep control of the position but Merlin is staying busy.
Wang is looking for the choke from the back position but Merlin is controlling his hands well.
Wang wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Wang is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Merlin knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Merlin for a finish.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin manages to reverse the position and now he's in Wang's guard. Nice work there by Merlin.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Wang (4) vs (10) Merlin
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 10 to 4.
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.
Long Wang was interviewed post fight and said 'No worries. Everyone here knows my opponent has a bad habit of testing positive for PEDs, so I'm sure this fight will soon be ruled a 'No Contest' by the Athletic Commission.'. |
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