|
|
WP 57 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 72 wins and 42 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 20 wins and 28 losses; Gaston Juncker!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and James Glass.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Merlin shoots in but no luck this time.
Merlin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Juncker has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Merlin shoots for a takedown but Juncker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Merlin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) 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.
Juncker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Juncker wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Merlin trying to control but Juncker is working from the bottom.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Juncker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Juncker managing to control the position.
Juncker being controlled here, momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Juncker.
Merlin is looking to pass into half guard but Juncker pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Juncker is in guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Juncker
Juncker pushes down on Merlin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Juncker keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to roll over but Juncker keeps him under control.
Merlin wants to control but Juncker is keeping busy.
Juncker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Juncker trying to control the action but Merlin is working from the bottom.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Juncker is thwarting Merlin's attempts to control the position.
Juncker not doing much here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Juncker passes the guard and advances to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (5) Juncker
Juncker prevents Merlin from getting the reversal.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is looking to work his way around to Merlin's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Juncker prevents Merlin from getting the reversal.
Merlin reaches up and holds on to Juncker to control the position.
Merlin wants to control but Juncker is having none of it.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Juncker fails to move to back control.
Juncker controlling from the full mount.
Merlin wants to control but Juncker is having none of it.
Merlin is trying desperately to improve position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Juncker is thwarting Merlin's attempts to control the position.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Merlin trying to hold on to Juncker's head to control him but Juncker postures up.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to improve his position but Juncker is controlling well.
Merlin trying to control but Juncker postures up.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Juncker wants to control but Merlin is keeping him busy.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Juncker sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Merlin is looking to control Juncker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merlin avoid being mounted?
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Merlin is trying to control but can't.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Juncker content to control rather than advance.
Juncker looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Juncker slows the pace down in half guard.
Merlin is concentrating on defense, preventing Juncker from advancing position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Juncker is working for a kimura but Merlin is defending it quite comfortably.
Juncker wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (8) Juncker
Juncker wants to control but Merlin is keeping him busy.
Merlin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Juncker wins on points by 8 to 2.
Our winner, Gaston Juncker, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans. |
|
|
|
|
|
