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WP 109 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 101 wins and 60 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 56 wins and 88 losses; Billy Turturro!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Turturro scores with a takedown into Merlin's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Turturro
Turturro controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Turturro passes into half guard.
Well, if Turturro 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've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turturro wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Turturro with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Merlin wants to get back to full guard.
Turturro perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
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.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Turturro content to control rather than advance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin won't allow Turturro to pass to mount.
Turturro takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Turturro works his way into full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (0) vs (5) Turturro
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Merlin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merlin wants to control but Turturro is having none of it.
Turturro controlling the position easily from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control but Turturro is having none of it.
Merlin has given up his back. Will we see Turturro going for some submissions?
Score +3 for taking back: Merlin (0) vs (8) Turturro
Turturro biding his time, controlling Merlin.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is not going to allow Merlin to sit and survive in this position.
Turturro is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Well, with Turturro on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Merlin is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Merlin tries to escape but Turturro has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Turturro is persistently looking for the submission but Merlin is defending it well.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin rolls, trying to escape but Turturro keeps control of the position.
I would not like to be Merlin right now.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro working for the choke.
Good control from Turturro.
Turturro is not going to allow Merlin to sit and survive in this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Turturro.
Turturro working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is really stuck here.
Turturro biding his time, controlling Merlin.
Turturro has the hooks in. Merlin is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Turturro really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Merlin.
Merlin is trying to break free.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is riding his opponent, not letting Merlin buck him off.
Turturro is not going to allow Merlin to sit and survive in this position.
Good control from Turturro.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Turturro has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Merlin wants to escape the position.
Turturro is riding his opponent, not letting Merlin buck him off.
Turturro's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is in bad spot here.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
My spies in Blacktalians MMA inform me that Turturro has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Turturro stalling.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Turturro.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin gets full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Turturro wins on points by 8 to 0.
Billy Turturro thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
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