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WP 50 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 34 wins and 46 losses; Boris Balkan! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 69 wins and 38 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Glass and Paul Tew.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Merlin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Merlin showed some decent athleticism there. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balkan (0) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Merlin prevents Balkan from improving his position.
Balkan is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Balkan is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Balkan is controlling Merlin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Balkan is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balkan is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin is pressing down on Balkan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Balkan is holding on for now.
Balkan is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Balkan continues to stall.
Merlin wants to control but Balkan is keeping him busy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Balkan haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Balkan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Balkan is adopting a defensive 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.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan looking for a sweep. Not yet Balkan, not yet.
Merlin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Balkan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Merlin controls the pace.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin passes Balkan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Balkan trying to control here.
Well, if Merlin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to advance to full mount but Balkan doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Balkan is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
Merlin trying to move into half guard but instead Balkan has managed to sweep! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (2) Merlin
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Balkan sitting in guard here, content to control.
Merlin is pulling down on Balkan's head to control his posture.
Merlin looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Balkan puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Balkan stalling.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to roll over but Balkan keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin is trying to control but can't.
Merlin trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (5) vs (2) Merlin
Balkan sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin 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: Balkan (5) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin wants to control from the top but Balkan keeps moving.
Balkan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Balkan is keeping the position.
Balkan looking for a sweep. Not yet Balkan, not yet.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balkan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Balkan wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Merlin working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Balkan's thigh. Balkan counters though and makes it back to full guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to sit in guard and control but Balkan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (7) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin looking to control but Balkan passes into half guard.
Balkan performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control but Balkan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Balkan stalling.
Merlin keeps control of the position for the meantime.
And that's the end of the fight!
Balkan takes the fight on points by 7 to 4.
A relieved looking Boris Balkan 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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