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WP 92 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 92 wins and 55 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 46 wins and 55 losses; Anthony Lavicci!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Lavicci
Well, if Merlin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
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.
Lavicci trying to control but Merlin postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lavicci manages to get to full guard.
Lavicci pulls Merlin in close to his closed guard and prevents Merlin from doing any damage or advancing position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavicci wants to sweep but no luck.
Lavicci keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin is fighting to break Lavicci's control of his arms but Lavicci is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Lavicci keeps moving.
Lavicci has control of Merlin's left arm, preventing Merlin from doing any damage.
Lavicci's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Merlin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Merlin not doing much here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is trying to get back to full guard.
Lavicci is staying active underneath Merlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lavicci wants to get back to full guard.
Lavicci has his hands clasped together around Merlin's back. He's all about the action.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lavicci keeps working.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin works his foot free and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (0) Lavicci
Lavicci tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to control but Lavicci wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
Lavicci tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is having none of it.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Merlin prevents Lavicci from getting the reversal.
Merlin trying to control but Lavicci is having none of it.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lavicci wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin wants to control but instead Lavicci manages to regain half guard.
Merlin perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the action but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
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.
Lavicci regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lavicci pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lavicci looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lavicci keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Lavicci wants to hit a sweep here but Merlin passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Lavicci there! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (8) vs (0) Lavicci
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Lavicci keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Lavicci is looking to improve his position but Merlin isn't that keen on the idea.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Lavicci is squirming around nicely.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci is working to get back to half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Lavicci reaches up and holds on to Merlin to control the position.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lavicci is looking to escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 8 to 0.
A relieved looking Xavier Merlin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it. |
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