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WP 41 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 64 wins and 34 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 32 wins and 36 losses; Long Wang!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Richard Clark.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin fails with a takedown attempt.
Xavier Merlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Wang enables Merlin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Wang manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Wang
Wang is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wang 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.
Wang working a defensive guard here.
Merlin is fighting to break Wang's control of his arms but Wang is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wang tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wang controlling the position.
Wang lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Wang
Wang is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wang looking to pass the guard.
Merlin is trying to control the position but Wang postures up.
Merlin can't keep his opponent in guard - Wang advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
I've been told that Wang has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
Wang trying to advance position but Merlin counters by regaining guard.
Wang wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Wang is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin 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: Merlin (4) vs (2) Wang
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Wang is defending well.
Wang is pressing down on Merlin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Wang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Wang is keeping the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wang looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wang is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wang is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
Wang wants to sweep but no luck.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wang is still trying to improve position.
Wang throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Merlin escapes and throws Wang's legs to the side, diving into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (7) vs (2) Wang
Wang can't do much from the bottom here.
Wang is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wang looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Merlin is keen to just control but Wang is a slippery customer.
Wang trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wang keeps working.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
Wang makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Wang.
Wang is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Merlin defends well.
Merlin looking to sit in guard and control but Wang gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (7) vs (4) Wang
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wang wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Merlin can't keep his opponent in guard - Wang advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wang is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Wang is trying to work for a kimura but Merlin is defending well.
Wang content to control rather than advance.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wang wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Wang controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Wang trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wang drops back, looking for a kneebar! Merlin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Merlin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Merlin! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (11) vs (4) Wang
Wang struggling a bit here.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Wang tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wang is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Wang holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Wang is refusing to be controlled, as Merlin sits in half guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Wang is looking to get back to full guard here but Merlin has managed to pass to side control instead. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (14) vs (4) Wang
What's Wang going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Merlin trying to control the position but Wang is working away.
Wang is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Merlin is one step ahead and moves to full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (16) vs (4) Wang
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Wang bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (16) vs (6) Wang
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wang pushes down on Merlin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 16 to 6.
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.
The defeated Long Wang had this to say: '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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