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WP 74 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 39 wins and 44 losses; Anthony Lavicci! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 83 wins and 46 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and James Glass.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Merlin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Lavicci to the ground. Merlin is now in Lavicci's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Lavicci (0) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin wants to control from the top but Lavicci keeps moving.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Merlin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lavicci has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Lavicci wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin being controlled here momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Lavicci is keeping the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin looking to sit in guard and control but Lavicci gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Lavicci (2) vs (2) Merlin
Lavicci trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Lavicci wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Merlin being controlled here, momentarily.
Lavicci looking to pass the guard.
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.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Lavicci will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lavicci trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lavicci is one step ahead there.
Lavicci wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Merlin isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Lavicci stacks Merlin on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Lavicci! Score +3 for passing guard: Lavicci (5) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin is looking to reverse the position.
Lavicci tries to move into full mount but can't pass Merlin's legs.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Merlin is trying to control Lavicci's posture but Lavicci avoids it.
Lavicci trying to control the action but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Lavicci is staying tight to Merlin's torso, preventing him from escaping.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin prevents Lavicci from moving into mount.
Merlin trying to remain calm as Lavicci controls from the top position.
Lavicci advances to mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Lavicci (7) vs (2) Merlin
Lavicci with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Lavicci can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Merlin is looking to escape.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci fails to move to back control.
Merlin gets back to half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is looking for a kimura here.
Lavicci is pressing down on Merlin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Merlin is holding on for now.
Lavicci prevents Merlin from improving his position.
Merlin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Lavicci trying to pass the guard but Merlin defending well.
Lavicci controlling the pace.
Merlin manages to get to full guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Lavicci preventing the sweep.
Lavicci tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Lavicci is proving a slippery customer.
Merlin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin wants to sweep here but Lavicci controlling him for the moment.
Lavicci advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Lavicci (10) vs (2) Merlin
Lavicci is trying to move to mount but Merlin reverses beautifully and ends up in Lavicci's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Lavicci (10) vs (4) Merlin
Lavicci 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.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to sit in guard and control but Lavicci gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Lavicci (12) vs (4) Merlin
Lavicci's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lavicci passes into half guard.
Lavicci is working for a submission of some sort.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Lavicci is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lavicci to get the leverage.
Merlin is in trouble now - Lavicci has advanced to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Lavicci (15) vs (4) Merlin
Lavicci looking to control but Merlin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci wants to take his opponent's back but Merlin doesn't allow it.
Merlin is looking to get to half guard.
Merlin prevents Lavicci from taking his back.
Lavicci prevents Merlin from getting the reversal.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Lavicci can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Merlin is looking to escape.
Merlin is looking to improve his position but Lavicci isn't that keen on the idea.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin prevents Lavicci from taking his back.
Lavicci tries to control but Merlin wriggling away.
And that's the end of the fight!
Lavicci takes the fight on points by 15 to 4.
An out of breath Anthony Lavicci thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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