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WP 89 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 34 wins and 44 losses; Gaston Juncker! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 90 wins and 54 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and James Glass.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Merlin showed some decent athleticism there. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Juncker (0) vs (2) Merlin
Juncker's coaches at House of 1000 Corpse have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin is taking a breather. Juncker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Merlin is looking to advance position but Juncker won't allow it.
Juncker preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juncker trying to control from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Juncker (0) vs (5) Merlin
Merlin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Juncker manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merlin's best efforts.
Juncker is looking to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is thwarting Juncker's attempts to control the position.
Juncker wants to improve his position but Merlin is controlling well.
Merlin content to control rather than advance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juncker is refusing to be controlled, as Merlin sits in half guard.
Merlin is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Juncker is working away.
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 content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to take a breather but Juncker is having none of it.
Merlin passes to full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Juncker (0) vs (8) Merlin
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Juncker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Juncker is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Juncker wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Juncker has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Merlin's lack of action.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Juncker is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Juncker tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
Juncker works his way to full guard. Good work.
Juncker keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Merlin passes into half guard.
Juncker wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
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.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to get back to full guard.
Merlin is keen to just control but Juncker is a slippery customer.
Merlin not doing much here.
Merlin trying to control the action but Juncker is working from the bottom.
Juncker controlling the position well.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to control the action in half guard but Juncker is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Merlin is controlling the pace.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to pass Juncker's guard but actually Juncker recovers to full guard.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin is fighting to break Juncker's control of his arms but Juncker is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker wants to improve his position but instead Merlin has moved into half guard.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Juncker works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Juncker keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Juncker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Juncker (2) vs (8) Merlin
Juncker seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Juncker is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Juncker is stalling in the full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 8 to 2.
Xavier Merlin thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
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