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WP 39 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 63 wins and 33 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 24 wins and 26 losses; Anthony Lavicci!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Lavicci shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Lavicci
Lavicci trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Merlin manages to land a sweep and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Lavicci
Merlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
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.
Lavicci looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin is stalling in the full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavicci keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Merlin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Lavicci keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
Merlin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lavicci is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Lavicci is retaining full guard.
Merlin seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Lavicci is pulling down on Merlin's head to control his posture.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci has control of Merlin's left arm, preventing Merlin from doing any damage.
Merlin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Merlin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
Merlin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Lavicci is retaining full guard.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lavicci swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Lavicci is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin content to stall in guard here.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (2) Lavicci
Merlin passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Lavicci! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (7) vs (2) Lavicci
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
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.
Lavicci is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Merlin'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.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin avoids the attempt from Lavicci to control.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lavicci is looking to escape.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
Lavicci is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control but Lavicci is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lavicci is in all sorts of trouble here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Merlin looking to control but Lavicci is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lavicci is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin controlling from mount.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 7 to 2.
Xavier Merlin seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website. |
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