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WP 56 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 71 wins and 42 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 6 wins and 5 losses; Bráulio Etxeberria!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Merlin fails to land the takedown.
Etxeberria clinches with his opponent.
Merlin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Etxeberria after a bit of a struggle.
Merlin wants to take the fight to the mat but Etxeberria manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merlin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Etxeberria prevents it.
Merlin wants to take the fight to the mat but Etxeberria manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Etxeberria is looking for a takedown.
Merlin has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Etxeberria regains guard immediately. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Etxeberria
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Etxeberria looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Etxeberria keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Etxeberria keeps moving.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Etxeberria is retaining full guard.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Etxeberria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Etxeberria pulls Merlin in close to his closed guard and prevents Merlin from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Etxeberria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Etxeberria is keeping the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Etxeberria is working from the bottom.
Merlin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Etxeberria swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Merlin trying to control but Etxeberria is working from the bottom.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin being controlled here momentarily.
Merlin is pushing down on Etxeberria's leg trying to pass to half guard. Etxeberria is fighting to maintain full guard but Merlin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Merlin prevents Etxeberria from improving his position.
Merlin stalling.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Etxeberria is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Etxeberria manages to get to full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Etxeberria holds on and takes a little breather.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Etxeberria is retaining full guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Etxeberria pulls Merlin in to control the position.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (0) Etxeberria
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Etxeberria is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Etxeberria's face as Merlin controls the position.
Etxeberria is looking for a sweep.
Etxeberria is letting Merlin control him for a moment.
Merlin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Merlin tries to advance to mount but can't.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Etxeberria regains half guard there - taking advantage of Merlin's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Etxeberria has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Merlin is trying to control. Etxeberria wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Etxeberria is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Etxeberria wants to get back to full guard.
Etxeberria is controlling Merlin's trapped leg to prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Merlin passes to side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (8) vs (0) Etxeberria
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Etxeberria keeps working.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Etxeberria is being controlled here.
Merlin wants to control but Etxeberria is keeping him busy.
Etxeberria stops Merlin from passing to mount.
Etxeberria is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Etxeberria's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Etxeberria is looking for a sweep.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 8 to 0.
After winning the bout, Xavier Merlin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility. |
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