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TWGC 23 (185lbs, D1): Las Vegas Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight Tycoon World Grappling Championship rules bout between Thatcher Halverson (ranked 2263 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Eremeev (ranked 3924 p4p, 0 weight class). Halverson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Enter Sandman. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 1 losses; Thatcher Halverson! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 2 losses; Andrey Eremeev!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and George Francis.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
No luck for Eremeev with that takedown attempt.
Eremeev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Halverson (0) vs (4) Eremeev
Eremeev tries to advance to mount but can't.
Eremeev controls the position.
Halverson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Halverson is trying to control Eremeev's posture but Eremeev avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halverson regains half guard.
Halverson tries to roll over but Eremeev keeps him under control.
Eremeev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremeev prevents Halverson from improving his position.
Eremeev is trying to control. Halverson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Eremeev controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halverson tries to roll over but Eremeev keeps him under control.
Eremeev is taking a breather. Halverson 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.
Halverson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Halverson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Halverson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Eremeev is one step ahead there.
Eremeev has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Skulls house of pain. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Halverson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (2) vs (4) Eremeev
Halverson trying to pass the guard but Eremeev defending well.
Eremeev tries to roll over but Halverson keeps him under control.
Halverson controlling the action here.
Halverson wants to free his trapped foot but Eremeev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev is staying active underneath Halverson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Eremeev is looking to improve his position.
Halverson uses his free foot to push down on Eremeev's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Eremeev. Score +3 for passing guard: Halverson (5) vs (4) Eremeev
Eremeev stops Halverson from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Eremeev is trying desperately to improve position.
Halverson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Eremeev sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halverson controlling the action here.
Eremeev is looking to control Halverson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Eremeev avoid being mounted?
Eremeev actively working from the bottom here.
Halverson stalling away here and it's allowed Eremeev to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Halverson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eremeev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Eremeev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Halverson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Halverson is pushing down on Eremeev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Eremeev is fighting to maintain full guard but Halverson has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev trying to hold on to Halverson's head to control him but Halverson postures up.
Halverson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Eremeev keeps working.
Halverson is pressing down on Eremeev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Eremeev is holding on for now.
Eremeev is staying active underneath Halverson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Eremeev makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Eremeev.
Eremeev looking to control.
Halverson passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Halverson (8) vs (4) Eremeev
Eremeev is trying to control Halverson's posture but Halverson avoids it.
Halverson trying to control the position but Eremeev is working away.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev is looking for a sweep.
Halverson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've been hearing good reports from Halverson'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.
Eremeev regains half guard.
Eremeev trying to hold on to Halverson's head to control him but Halverson postures up.
Halverson moves into full mount! Eremeev won't be happy about that! Score +3 for passing guard: Halverson (11) vs (4) Eremeev
Halverson fails to advance to Eremeev's back.
Eremeev is looking to get to half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev is controlling an arm, preventing Halverson from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Eremeev is working to get back to half guard.
Eremeev prevents Halverson from taking his back.
Halverson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Eremeev is looking to escape.
Halverson takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Score +3 for taking back: Halverson (14) vs (4) Eremeev
Eremeev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Halverson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Eremeev defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Halverson wants to control but Eremeev is keeping busy.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev manages to reverse the position and now he's in Halverson's guard. Nice work there by Eremeev.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (14) vs (6) Eremeev
Halverson keeping moving, preventing Eremeev from controlling successfully.
Halverson 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.
Eremeev passes Halverson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Halverson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Halverson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Eremeev's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Halverson (16) vs (6) Eremeev
Eremeev is trying to control the position but Halverson postures up.
Eremeev keeping moving, preventing Halverson from controlling successfully.
Eremeev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Halverson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eremeev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Halverson has managed to get both his arms back between Eremeev's legs - danger averted.
Halverson trying to control but Eremeev is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halverson advances to half guard.
Halverson is trying to control. Eremeev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Eremeev won't allow Halverson to pass to mount.
Halverson prevents Eremeev from improving his position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Halverson moves into full mount! Eremeev won't be happy about that! Score +3 for passing guard: Halverson (19) vs (6) Eremeev
Halverson is trying to take his opponent's back.
Halverson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Eremeev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Eremeev manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Halverson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Eremeev is looking to control Halverson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Eremeev avoid being mounted?
Halverson maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Eremeev could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Halverson has cracked it and Eremeev is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Halverson!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 11:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Thatcher Halverson!
Thatcher Halverson took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'I'M THE BEST. The greatest fighter on the planet.'. |
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