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WP 48 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 67 wins and 38 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 37 wins and 57 losses; Billy Turturro!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Turturro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Merlin circles away.
Merlin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Merlin lands in his opponent's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Turturro
Turturro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Turturro trying to control the position.
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.
Turturro has his hands on Merlin's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Turturro is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Turturro
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Turturro is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Turturro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turturro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Turturro's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (2) Turturro
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turturro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Turturro has his hands on Merlin's head, controlling the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Turturro is keeping the position.
Turturro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merlin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is working from the bottom.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Turturro keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Turturro working a defensive guard but Merlin passes into half guard.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Turturro wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Merlin wants to control but Turturro is keeping him busy.
Turturro is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin content to control rather than advance.
Turturro wants to get back to full guard.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is controlling Merlin's trapped leg to prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Turturro trying to control but Merlin postures up.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Merlin controlling the pace.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Turturro is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turturro won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Turturro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Turturro 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 (7) vs (2) Turturro
Merlin trying to control the action but Turturro is working from the bottom.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is looking for a sweep.
Merlin taking a breather here.
Turturro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro being controlled for a moment.
Turturro tries to improve position but can't.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Turturro's legs.
Turturro is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
Merlin is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Turturro is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is looking for a sweep.
Turturro looks to move to half guard but instead Merlin has passed into mount! Damn! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (9) vs (2) Turturro
Turturro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Turturro regains half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Merlin is working away from the top position though.
Merlin is looking to pass Turturro's guard but actually Turturro recovers to full guard.
Turturro working for a triangle but Merlin defends it easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 9 to 2.
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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