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WP 96 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 49 wins and 67 losses; Boris Balkan! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 59 wins and 40 losses; Vasiliy Kulik!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Balkan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kulik to the mat! Kulik manages to get full guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (0) Kulik
Kulik keeping moving, preventing Balkan from controlling successfully.
Kulik controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balkan is stalling in the full guard.
Balkan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kulik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kulik keeping moving, preventing Balkan from controlling successfully.
Kulik controlling Balkan's posture.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Balkan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kulik is keeping the position for now.
Kulik is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulik keeping full guard, as Balkan tries to pass.
Kulik managing to control the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Balkan'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.
Kulik working a defensive guard here.
Balkan controls from within his opponent's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan tries to free his leg and advance position but Kulik is retaining full guard.
Kulik seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Balkan trying to control the position from guard on top but Kulik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulik is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Balkan defends well.
Balkan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kulik is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Balkan looking to sit in guard and control but Kulik gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (2) Kulik
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan managing to control the position.
Balkan has an active guard here but Kulik has managed to pass into half guard.
Balkan is trying to get back to full guard.
Balkan is concentrating on defense, preventing Kulik from advancing position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Balkan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kulik is looking to pass Balkan's guard but actually Balkan recovers to full guard.
Kulik 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.
Balkan is looking for a triangle but Kulik pushes his legs off easily.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kulik controlling from the top position.
Balkan keeping full guard, as Kulik tries to pass.
Kulik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is looking for a triangle here but Kulik uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (2) vs (5) Kulik
Kulik staying calm.
Balkan is trying to improve his position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Kulik stalls from top position.
Kulik trying to control the position but Balkan is working away.
Kulik taking a break here but Balkan is having none of it and regains half guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard.
Balkan trying to control but Kulik postures up.
Kulik stalling away here and it's allowed Balkan to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kulik trying to control the position from guard on top but Balkan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balkan working for a triangle but Kulik defends it easily.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Balkan working a defensive guard but Kulik passes into half guard.
Balkan is trying to get back to full guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is trying to maintain the position but Kulik is very close to passing his half guard.
Balkan is holding on to half guard well.
Kulik is looking to advance position but Balkan won't allow it.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard but Kulik has passed into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (2) vs (8) Kulik
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is trying to escape the position but Kulik is controlling the position.
Balkan trying his best to control but Kulik has mounted him. Score +2 for reaching mount: Balkan (2) vs (10) Kulik
Kulik tries to control but Balkan wriggling away.
Kulik looking to control and managing it successfully.
Balkan is trying to escape the mount.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Balkan has given up his back here.
Score +3 for taking back: Balkan (2) vs (13) Kulik
Balkan tries to roll but Kulik sticks to his back.
Balkan is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balkan looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Balkan is trying to break free.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kulik wins on points by 13 to 2.
Vasiliy Kulik decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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