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TWGC 40 (145lbs, D2): Helsinki Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the featherweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Flynn Knightley! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Kelly Van Soest!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Van Soest tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knightley sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Van Soest somewhat.
Knightley seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Van Soest manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Knightley on his heels. He'll look to pass Knightley's guard now, I'm sure. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Knightley (0) vs (2) Van Soest
Knightley wants to sweep but no luck.
Van Soest must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Knightley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Soest doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Soest manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Van Soest pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knightley is keeping the position for now.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Van Soest working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Soest preventing the sweep.
Van Soest works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Knightley wants to get back to full guard but Van Soest has mounted him! Score +3 for passing guard: Knightley (0) vs (5) Van Soest
Knightley slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest prevents Knightley from improving his position.
Van Soest passes the guard and advances to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Knightley (0) vs (8) Van Soest
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Knightley regains half guard.
Knightley wants to get back to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Knightley (0) vs (11) Van Soest
Knightley is desperately trying to improve his position but Van Soest has a good base and remains in mount.
Knightley is working hard here to advance position.
Knightley is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Quarry, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest controlling from mount.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Van Soest moves to the back position. Score +3 for taking back: Knightley (0) vs (14) Van Soest
Knightley tries to escape but Van Soest has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Van Soest has good solid back control here.
Knightley breaks Van Soest's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Knightley (2) vs (14) Van Soest
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Knightley passes into half guard.
Knightley with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Knightley looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Knightley prevents Van Soest from improving his position.
Knightley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Van Soest does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Van Soest is trying to control but can't.
Knightley is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Van Soest has a hand on Knightley's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Knightley takes advantage of the position though and mounts him! Score +3 for passing guard: Knightley (5) vs (14) Van Soest
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Knightley sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Knightley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Knightley content just to control the position here.
Knightley's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Knightley can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Van Soest is looking to escape.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Knightley takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Van Soest is trying desperately to improve position.
Van Soest tries to lock up and control but Knightley gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Knightley controlling his opponent.
Van Soest is looking to get to half guard.
Knightley controlling his opponent.
Knightley wants to control the pace but Van Soest is squirming around nicely.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Knightley controlling from the full mount.
Knightley wants to control the pace but Van Soest is squirming around nicely.
Knightley looking to control and managing it successfully.
Van Soest wants to control but Knightley is having none of it.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Knightley controlling the pace for now.
Van Soest is trying desperately to improve position.
Van Soest wants to hold on but Knightley pushes him away.
Knightley tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Van Soest gets full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Knightley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Soest is keeping the position for now.
Knightley engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that's the end of the fight!
Van Soest wins on points by 14 to 5.
After winning the bout, Kelly Van Soest thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility. |
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