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TWGC 40 (145lbs, D2): Finals - 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 Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 0 losses; Mark Norman! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 0 losses; Kelly Van Soest!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Van Soest darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Norman (0) vs (2) Van Soest
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.
Norman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Norman trying to control here.
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.
Norman is trying to get back to full guard.
Van Soest trying to mount his opponent but Norman defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norman is looking to improve his position.
Van Soest stalling.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Norman is trying to get back to full guard.
Norman works his way to full guard. Good work.
Van Soest wants to pass the guard but Norman is keeping the position.
Norman is trying to control the position but Van Soest postures up.
Van Soest tries to free his leg and advance position but Norman is retaining full guard.
Van Soest is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest won't allow Norman to sweep him here.
Norman is trying to keep Van Soest in close.
Van Soest preventing the sweep.
Norman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Soest defends well.
Van Soest looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Van Soest must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norman 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: Norman (2) vs (2) Van Soest
Van Soest is looking for a sweep. Norman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Norman works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Norman (5) vs (2) Van Soest
Norman wants to control for a moment but Van Soest uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest works his way to full guard. Good work.
Van Soest keeping moving, preventing Norman from controlling successfully.
Van Soest lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Norman (5) vs (4) Van Soest
Norman seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Van Soest stopping the sweep attempt from Norman.
Norman looking to control.
Norman wants to sweep but no luck.
Van Soest controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Norman trying to keep a closed guard but Van Soest is proving a slippery customer.
Van Soest stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Norman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Norman working a defensive guard here.
Norman 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: Norman (7) vs (4) Van Soest
Van Soest is in trouble now - Norman has advanced to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Norman (10) vs (4) Van Soest
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest prevents Norman from taking his back.
Norman sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Van Soest wants to hold on but Norman pushes him away.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Norman tries to control but Van Soest wriggling away.
Norman is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Van Soest has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Norman tries to control but Van Soest wriggling away.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Norman is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Van Soest has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Van Soest! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Norman (10) vs (6) Van Soest
Norman wants to sweep here but Van Soest controlling him for the moment.
Norman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Norman wants to improve his position but instead Van Soest has moved into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Norman gets back to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Norman is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Norman (12) vs (6) Van Soest
Norman postures up.
Van Soest looking to hit a scissor sweep but Norman is one step ahead there.
Van Soest is trying to keep Norman in close.
Norman looking to pass the guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Norman pushing down on Van Soest's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Norman is trying to control the action in half guard but Van Soest is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Norman works his foot free and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Norman (15) vs (6) Van Soest
Van Soest stops Norman from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Norman working for a guillotine from mount but Van Soest is in no mood to give up.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Van Soest is squirming around, avoiding Norman's attempts to control the action.
Norman swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Van Soest is now in Norman's guard. A big mistake from Norman there, giving up the dominant position! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Norman (15) vs (8) Van Soest
Norman working a defensive guard here.
Norman is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Norman is working hard here to advance position.
Norman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Norman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van Soest is one step ahead there.
Norman has Van Soest pulled in close to control his posture.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Norman looking for a sweep. Not yet Norman, not yet.
Norman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Norman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Van Soest's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Norman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Van Soest preventing the sweep.
Van Soest works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Van Soest prevents Norman from improving his position.
Van Soest is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Norman takes the fight on points by 15 to 8.
After winning the bout, Mark Norman 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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