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WP 75 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 83 wins and 47 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 50 wins and 69 losses; Billy Turturro!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Turturro leaves Merlin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Turturro fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Merlin to the ground. Turturro is now in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Turturro
Turturro trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Turturro not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turturro trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin wants to hit a sweep here but Turturro passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Merlin there! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (0) vs (5) Turturro
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin is squirming around, avoiding Turturro's attempts to control the action.
Turturro tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
My spies in Blacktalians MMA II inform me that Turturro has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turturro looking to control but Merlin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Turturro controlling the position easily from mount.
Merlin doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Turturro sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is squirming around, avoiding Turturro's attempts to control the action.
We've been hearing good reports from Merlin's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Turturro controlling from mount.
Turturro can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Merlin is looking to escape.
Turturro goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Merlin turns into him and now he's in Turturro's guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (5) Turturro
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
Merlin advances to half guard.
Turturro keeping control of the position.
Turturro is pressing down on Merlin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Turturro.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Turturro is retaining full guard.
Merlin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Turturro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Merlin has managed to get both his arms back between Turturro's legs - danger averted.
Turturro is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to move into half guard but instead Turturro has managed to sweep! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (7) Turturro
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turturro wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Merlin working a defensive guard but Turturro passes into half guard.
Merlin is looking to control Turturro's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merlin avoid being mounted?
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro not doing much here.
Turturro wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Turturro with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Merlin trying to control here.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to roll over but Turturro keeps him under control.
Turturro trying to control from Merlin's half guard. Merlin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Turturro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Turturro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing Turturro from controlling successfully.
Turturro content to stall in guard here.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has his hands on Turturro's head, controlling the position.
Turturro looking to sit in guard and control but Merlin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (7) Turturro
Turturro looking to control.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turturro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turturro controlling Merlin's posture.
Merlin stands and throws Turturro's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (7) vs (7) Turturro
Turturro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro looking for a sweep but Merlin has passed into full mount! Oh no! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (9) vs (7) Turturro
Turturro is in all sorts of trouble here.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Turturro is squirming around nicely.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is trying to escape the mount.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Turturro is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is having none of it.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro working to try and regain half guard.
Turturro tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Turturro is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Merlin is staying active.
Turturro tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turturro tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Turturro is working to get back to half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 9 to 7.
Xavier Merlin thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
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