|
|
WP 54 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 70 wins and 41 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 19 wins and 26 losses; Gaston Juncker!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Steven Brown.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Juncker gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Merlin to score an easy takedown into full guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Juncker
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Juncker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Juncker is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Juncker manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Merlin manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Juncker
Juncker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control.
Juncker is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Juncker stopping the sweep attempt from Merlin.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Juncker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Merlin controlling the position.
Merlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Juncker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is controlling Juncker's posture.
Juncker looking to pass the guard.
Juncker is still trying to improve position.
Juncker is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.
Merlin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Juncker tries to pass.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Juncker won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Juncker is stalling in the full guard.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has Juncker pulled in close to control his posture.
Merlin looking to control.
Merlin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Juncker is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to sweep here but Juncker controlling him for the moment.
Juncker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merlin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's nine 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) Juncker
Juncker wants to control but Merlin passes into side.
Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (7) vs (2) Juncker
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 is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Juncker is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the action but Juncker is working from the bottom.
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Juncker keeps working.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker tries to buck Merlin off but Merlin is having none of it.
Merlin wants to control but Juncker is keeping him busy.
Merlin controls the position.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Juncker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Merlin off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (7) vs (6) Juncker
I really don't envy Merlin right now.
Merlin is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Juncker.
Merlin wants to escape the position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Juncker is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Juncker's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Juncker keeps control of the position as Merlin tries to break free.
Merlin prevents Juncker from getting a body triangle.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is really stuck here.
Merlin trying to control the hands but Juncker breaks the grip.
Juncker tries to keep control of the position but Merlin is staying busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Juncker keeps control of the position as Merlin tries to break free.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 7 to 6.
Xavier Merlin thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
|
|
|
|
|
