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WP 65 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 43 wins and 47 losses; Long Wang! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 78 wins and 43 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Paul Tew.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Wang closes the distance and clinches.
Merlin has picked Wang up - he's going for a ride! Merlin dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Wang (0) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Wang is working away.
Wang moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wang seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Wang is controlling Merlin's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wang wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
Wang trying to control the position here.
My spies in KFA inform me that Merlin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin trying to control but Wang is working from the bottom.
Merlin is fighting to break Wang's control of his arms but Wang is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Wang keeps moving.
Merlin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Wang will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Merlin trying to control but Wang is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Wang holds on and takes a little breather.
Wang'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.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wang keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wang trying to control the position here.
Merlin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Wang is keeping the position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is still trying to improve position.
Wang pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin being controlled here momentarily.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Wang holds on and takes a little breather.
Further stalling from Wang.
Merlin is pushing down on Wang's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wang is fighting to maintain full guard but Merlin has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wang is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Wang is trying to get back to full guard.
Wang controlling the position for now.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but Wang defending well.
Wang is controlling Merlin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wang works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wang has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Wang looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wang looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Merlin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Wang continues to stall.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wang pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Wang is stinking the place up with his stalling.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Wang is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wang pulls Merlin in to control the position.
Merlin stands and throws Wang's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Wang (0) vs (5) Merlin
Wang is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
Wang is trying to improve his position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Wang is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Wang is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Wang regains full guard. Nicely done.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Wang is keeping the position.
Wang pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin trying to control but Wang is working from the bottom.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wang wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Wang tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 5 to 0.
A very excited looking Xavier Merlin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Long Wang spoke after the fight, saying 'No worries. Everyone here knows my opponent has a bad habit of testing positive for PEDs, so I'm sure this fight will soon be ruled a 'No Contest' by the Athletic Commission.'. |
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