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WP 124 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 105 wins and 68 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, with a TWGC record of 16 wins and 14 losses; Leonhard Klopstock!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Klopstock sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Merlin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Klopstock tries to sprawl but Merlin drives through with a takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Klopstock
Klopstock makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Klopstock.
Merlin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
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.
Klopstock bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Merlin's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Klopstock
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin 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 one minute gone in the round.
Klopstock trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Klopstock won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klopstock trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Klopstock passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (5) Klopstock
Klopstock laying and praying for a moment but Merlin takes advantage and regains half guard.
Merlin is staying active underneath Klopstock, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Klopstock tries to pass to full mount but Merlin defends it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Klopstock is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Merlin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Klopstock is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Merlin defends it well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking for a sweep. Klopstock is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Klopstock working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Merlin's thigh. Merlin counters though and makes it back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klopstock pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Klopstock keeps trying to improve his position.
Merlin trying to control the position.
Klopstock trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
Merlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Klopstock tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Merlin trying to control the position here.
Klopstock trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Klopstock slips nicely into half guard.
Klopstock is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (8) Klopstock
Merlin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Klopstock is looking to work his way around to Merlin's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is wriggling around trying to escape.
Klopstock is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Merlin is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Merlin flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Klopstock anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Merlin and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Klopstock slips an arm under Merlin chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Klopstock has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Klopstock is squeezing on Merlin like an anaconda would it's prey. Merlin fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Leonhard Klopstock!
In his post fight interview, Leonhard Klopstock started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception. |
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