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WP 119 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 74 losses; David McDonald! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 103 wins and 66 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
McDonald feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: McDonald (2) vs (0) Merlin
Merlin pulls McDonald in close to his closed guard and prevents McDonald from doing any damage or advancing position.
Merlin is continuing to stall.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McDonald controls the pace.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Merlin dives on top into guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: McDonald (2) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Merlin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but McDonald is retaining full guard.
McDonald 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.
Merlin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merlin has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at KFA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin postures up.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Merlin won't allow McDonald to sweep him here.
McDonald has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Merlin is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for McDonald. Score +3 for passing guard: McDonald (2) vs (5) Merlin
McDonald is trying to improve his position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is letting Merlin control him for a moment.
What's McDonald going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
McDonald gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there! Score +2 for reaching mount: McDonald (2) vs (7) Merlin
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
McDonald is looking to improve his position but Merlin isn't that keen on the idea.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
McDonald is wriggling around trying to escape.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
McDonald regains half guard.
McDonald is trying is best to control the position here.
McDonald is pressing down on Merlin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McDonald is pulling down on Merlin's head to control his posture.
Merlin advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: McDonald (2) vs (10) Merlin
McDonald looking for a sweep but Merlin has passed into full mount! Oh no! Score +2 for reaching mount: McDonald (2) vs (12) Merlin
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
McDonald is trying desperately to improve position.
Merlin looking to control but McDonald is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
McDonald can't escape the position.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
Merlin looking to control but McDonald is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
McDonald wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
McDonald sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
McDonald wants to control but Merlin passes into side.
Score +3 for passing guard: McDonald (2) vs (15) Merlin
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is looking to reverse the position.
McDonald trying to remain calm as Merlin controls from the top position.
Merlin working away.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but McDonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonald sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
McDonald manages to get to full guard.
McDonald is trying to control the position but Merlin postures up.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McDonald swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McDonald looking to control.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McDonald trying to control the position.
Merlin 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.
McDonald working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Merlin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Merlin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
McDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Merlin content to stall in guard here.
McDonald is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Merlin is aware though and is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonald pulls Merlin in close to his closed guard and prevents Merlin from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 15 to 2.
Xavier Merlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, David McDonald stepped up to the mic, saying 'Fall down seven times, get up eight.'. |
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