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WP 44 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 66 wins and 35 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 26 wins and 29 losses; Anthony Lavicci!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, William Gold and Donald Grub.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Lavicci gets caught flat footed, as Merlin shoots in with a quick takedown into guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Lavicci
Lavicci looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Lavicci is retaining full guard.
Lavicci has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Merlin has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (0) Lavicci
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lavicci keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavicci is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
Lavicci is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lavicci keeps trying to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin staying calm.
Lavicci is trying to get back to half guard.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Merlin tries to advance to mount but can't.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lavicci keeps working.
Lavicci regains half guard.
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 trying to control the action but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
Lavicci tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
Lavicci is holding on to half guard well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is pressing down on Merlin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Lavicci is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Lavicci has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Ground Zero Workout Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controls from within his opponent's guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Lavicci.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lavicci trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lavicci looking for a sweep. Not yet Lavicci, not yet.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin controlling from the top position.
Lavicci has Merlin pulled in close to control his posture.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (5) vs (2) Lavicci
Lavicci trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lavicci is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Lavicci pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Lavicci trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to control the position but Lavicci postures up.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lavicci controls from within his opponent's guard.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Lavicci tries to pass.
Lavicci is still trying to improve position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Merlin controls Lavicci momentarily but Lavicci frees himself.
Merlin can't keep his opponent in guard - Lavicci advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Merlin is staying active underneath Lavicci, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lavicci is looking to pass Merlin's guard but actually Merlin recovers to full guard.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Lavicci from controlling successfully.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lavicci controls the pace.
Lavicci wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Lavicci from controlling successfully.
Lavicci might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Merlin haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci passes Merlin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Lavicci is taking a breather. Merlin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lavicci is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Merlin sees it coming and defends easily.
Lavicci trying to mount his opponent but Merlin defends it.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Merlin's thigh. Merlin counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Lavicci from controlling successfully.
Lavicci looking to pass the guard.
Lavicci trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci content to stall in guard here.
Lavicci trying to move into half guard but instead Merlin has managed to sweep! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (7) vs (2) Lavicci
Lavicci has his foot on Merlin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Merlin works his way back into a safe position though.
Lavicci seems keen to control Merlin's posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 7 to 2.
A relieved looking Xavier Merlin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it. |
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