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WP 38 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 62 wins and 33 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 14 wins and 15 losses; Gaston Juncker!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Richard Clark.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown but Juncker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Juncker shoots for a double leg takedown but Merlin sprawls well. He's pushed Juncker's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Merlin attempts a counter takedown but Juncker avoids it well and moves away.
Merlin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Juncker
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.
Merlin is thwarting Juncker's attempts to control the position.
Juncker is pressing down on Merlin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juncker is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
Juncker keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Juncker pulls Merlin in to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Juncker keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
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.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Juncker.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juncker controlling the position.
Merlin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Juncker keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Merlin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Juncker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Juncker pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Juncker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Juncker is trying to hold Merlin in close to prevent damage but Merlin has managed to pass into half guard.
Merlin wants to pass to mount but Juncker is defending the position.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Juncker is working away.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Juncker is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin is looking to advance position but Juncker won't allow it.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker controlling the position for now.
Juncker trying to control but Merlin postures up.
Merlin tries to pass to full mount but Juncker defends it.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Juncker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Juncker has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the action here.
Merlin is looking to advance position but Juncker won't allow it.
Juncker is looking to control Merlin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Juncker avoid being mounted?
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 passes to side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (0) Juncker
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control but Juncker is keeping him busy.
Merlin is really struggling to control Juncker but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Merlin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Juncker is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Juncker can't do much from the bottom here.
Merlin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Juncker's legs.
Merlin takes a little break here. Juncker wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Juncker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Merlin trying to control the action but Juncker is working from the bottom.
Juncker regains half guard there - taking advantage of Merlin's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is looking to improve his position.
Merlin is pressing down on Juncker's thigh, looking to free his foot. Juncker is holding on for now.
Juncker trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin slows the pace down in half guard.
Juncker is staying active underneath Merlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Juncker wants to sweep but Merlin has passed to side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (8) vs (0) Juncker
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 8 to 0.
Xavier Merlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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