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WP 113 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 Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 48 wins and 24 losses; Reijo Halli! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 35 wins and 23 losses; Roman Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Glass and James Atkins.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Halli keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Halli has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Thib's Sweat Shoppe in the buildup to the fight.
Kersikov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kersikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Halli tries to avoid it but Kersikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Halli to the ground. Halli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Reijo Halli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Kersikov.
Halli has Kersikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Halli gets a trip takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Halli (2) vs (0) Kersikov
Kersikov is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov trying to hold on to Halli's head to control him but Halli postures up.
Halli stalling.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov is controlling Halli's trapped leg to prevent Halli from advancing to side control.
Halli is taking a breather. Kersikov 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.
Kersikov is looking to improve his position.
Kersikov controlling the position well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halli sitting and controlling from the half guard.
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.
Kersikov keeping control of the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Halli seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halli wants to free his trapped foot but Kersikov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kersikov keeping hold of Halli's head, controlling as best he can.
Halli with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to control but Halli postures up.
Kersikov felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Halli wants to pass the guard but Kersikov is defending well.
Halli keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kersikov wants to control but Halli is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Halli content to control rather than advance.
Halli passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kersikov! Score +3 for passing guard: Halli (5) vs (0) Kersikov
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is trying desperately to improve position.
Kersikov looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back! Score +3 for taking back: Halli (8) vs (0) Kersikov
Halli is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Halli keeps control of the position as Kersikov tries to break free.
Kersikov is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Kersikov turns into Halli and is now in his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halli (8) vs (2) Kersikov
Kersikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Halli is retaining full guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Halli wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kersikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Halli keeps moving.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kersikov looking to pass the guard.
Kersikov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Halli is trying to keep Kersikov in close.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Halli manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kersikov manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halli (10) vs (2) Kersikov
Kersikov trying to control the position here.
Halli preventing the sweep.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Halli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halli not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kersikov is trying to keep Halli in close.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Halli is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halli won't allow Kersikov to sweep him here.
Kersikov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Halli has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Halli tries to free his leg and advance position but Kersikov is retaining full guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Halli has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Halli (13) vs (2) Kersikov
Kersikov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Halli wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Halli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kersikov keeps working.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
And that's the end of the fight!
Halli takes the fight on points by 13 to 2.
In his post fight interview, Reijo Halli started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception. |
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