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WP 79 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 Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 38 wins and 21 losses; Tyron Scott! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 85 wins and 49 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Colin Fotheringham and James Ackerman.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Merlin wants it to stay on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Merlin.
Merlin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Scott on his heels. He'll look to pass Scott's guard now, I'm sure. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Scott (0) vs (2) Merlin
Scott looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've been hearing good reports from Scott'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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Scott swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Scott is controlling Merlin's posture.
Scott continues to stall.
Merlin trying to control but Scott is working from the bottom.
Scott wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stands and throws Scott's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Scott (0) vs (5) Merlin
Merlin in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Merlin has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at KFA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Scott is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scott is trying to escape the position but Merlin is controlling the position.
It looks like Merlin might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Scott is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Scott regains half guard there - taking advantage of Merlin's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scott is staying active underneath Merlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Scott tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Merlin is just content to waste time from the top position. Scott takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Scott controlling the position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Scott (0) vs (8) Merlin
Scott is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Merlin controls the position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Scott is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Scott is looking for a sweep.
Merlin trying to control the action but Scott is working from the bottom.
Scott being controlled for a moment.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working away.
Merlin trying to control the action but Scott is working from the bottom.
Merlin has control of an arm but Scott manages to advance to Merlin's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Scott (4) vs (8) Merlin
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to break free.
Scott is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Merlin trying to control the hands but Scott breaks the grip.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Scott biding his time, looking for the opening.
Merlin wants to control his opponent's hands but Scott gets his hands free.
Scott is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Merlin is really stuck here.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
What can Merlin do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
I really don't envy Merlin right now.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Scott controls the action.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Merlin right now.
Scott biding his time, looking for the opening.
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.
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 8 to 4.
An out of breath Xavier Merlin 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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