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WP 76 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 40 wins and 45 losses; Anthony Lavicci! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 84 wins and 47 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Ackerman and Phil Schofield.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lavicci is defended easily by Merlin.
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.
Merlin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Lavicci (0) vs (4) Merlin
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Merlin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin wants to control but Lavicci is keeping him busy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavicci struggling a bit here.
Lavicci stops Merlin from passing to mount.
Merlin working away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is looking for a sweep.
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Lavicci wants to control but Merlin postures up.
Merlin tries to move to mount but Lavicci blocks the move with his legs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controls the position.
Merlin trying to control the position but Lavicci is working away.
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.
Merlin in the domination position with Lavicci hanging on.
Merlin advances nicely into full mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Lavicci (0) vs (6) Merlin
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lavicci is wriggling around trying to escape.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Lavicci tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin tries to control but Lavicci wriggling away.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
Lavicci manages to control the position for a moment.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lavicci is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lavicci regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lavicci moves into full guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lavicci managing to control the position.
Merlin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Merlin advances to half guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Lavicci trying to control but Merlin postures up.
Merlin is trying to control the action in half guard but Lavicci is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lavicci wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Lavicci works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lavicci will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Lavicci keeps moving.
Lavicci pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin won't allow Lavicci to sweep him here.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Lavicci keeps moving.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is controlling Merlin's posture.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
Lavicci is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Lavicci (2) vs (6) Merlin
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Lavicci content to control rather than advance.
Merlin is trying to control but can't.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Lavicci wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Merlin wants to control but Lavicci is keeping busy.
Lavicci tries to pass the half guard into mount. Merlin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Lavicci is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Merlin reverses the position - he's now on top in Lavicci's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Lavicci (2) vs (8) Merlin
Lavicci looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 8 to 2.
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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