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WP 117 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 36 wins and 73 losses; David McDonald! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 102 wins and 65 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McDonald napping and manages to drive through into side control! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: McDonald (0) vs (4) Merlin
McDonald manages to work his way to half guard, despite Merlin's best efforts.
McDonald is trying to get back to full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from McDonald'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.
McDonald is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald trying to control from the bottom.
Merlin stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin prevents McDonald from improving his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
Merlin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
McDonald trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
McDonald looking for submissions off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but McDonald defending well.
McDonald is controlling Merlin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
McDonald wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Merlin content to control rather than advance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but McDonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonald trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
McDonald tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
McDonald keeps control of the position for the meantime.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin prevents McDonald from improving his position.
McDonald controlling the position well.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Merlin 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.
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
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!
McDonald is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
McDonald wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
McDonald tries to get to full guard but Merlin has control of the leg.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
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.
McDonald is looking to get back to full guard here but Merlin has managed to pass to side control instead. Score +3 for passing guard: McDonald (0) vs (7) Merlin
Merlin slows the pace down.
McDonald is trying to get back to half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on McDonald's face as Merlin controls the position.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but McDonald keeps working.
McDonald is trying to get back to half guard.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
I wouldn't like to be where McDonald is right now.
Merlin controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merlin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
McDonald sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Merlin trying to control from McDonald's half guard. McDonald has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McDonald is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: McDonald (2) vs (7) Merlin
Merlin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McDonald controls the pace.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
McDonald sitting in guard here, content to control.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
Merlin trying to control the position.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
McDonald showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Merlin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McDonald looking to sit in guard and control but Merlin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: McDonald (2) vs (9) Merlin
McDonald is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is trying to keep Merlin in close.
Merlin controlling from the top position.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: McDonald (2) vs (12) Merlin
McDonald is being controlled here.
Merlin tries to move into full mount but can't pass McDonald's legs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonald is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 12 to 2.
Xavier Merlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
David McDonald spoke after the fight, saying 'Fall down seven times, get up eight.'. |
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