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TWGC 33 (170lbs, D1): New York Qualifier - Round 2 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the welterweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 0 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 2 losses; Toby Flenderson!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Eddie Farnsworth and Dean Styles.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin has Flenderson up against the cage in a clinch.
Flenderson fails to pull guard.
Merlin jumps guard and drags Flenderson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Merlin is pulling down on Flenderson's head to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Flenderson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Flenderson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Merlin is controlling Flenderson's posture.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Flenderson won't allow Merlin to sweep him here.
Merlin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Flenderson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merlin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Flenderson has managed to get both his arms back between Merlin's legs - danger averted.
Flenderson sitting in guard here, content to control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Flenderson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Merlin working a defensive guard here.
Flenderson 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.
Merlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
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.
Flenderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Merlin pulls Flenderson in close to his closed guard and prevents Flenderson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Flenderson 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.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Flenderson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Flenderson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Flenderson is proving a slippery customer.
Flenderson wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Merlin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Flenderson manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Flenderson
Flenderson trying to keep a closed guard but Merlin is proving a slippery customer.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flenderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Flenderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Flenderson is retaining full guard.
Flenderson has Merlin pulled in close to control his posture.
Merlin passes Flenderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Merlin is keen to just control but Flenderson is a slippery customer.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Flenderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Flenderson is looking for a sweep. Merlin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Merlin in particular looking to stall.
Flenderson trying to control but Merlin postures up.
Merlin is working for a kimura but Flenderson is defending it quite comfortably.
Merlin is stalling here. Flenderson is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Merlin seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Flenderson has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work. Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (2) vs (4) Flenderson
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Flenderson is looking to take a break and control but Merlin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Merlin is trying to control Flenderson's posture but Flenderson avoids it.
Merlin is looking for a sweep.
Merlin can't do much from the bottom here.
Merlin tries to bench press Flenderson off him but Flenderson keeps the position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin regains half guard.
Flenderson is trying to control. Merlin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Merlin is looking to control Flenderson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Merlin avoid being mounted?
Merlin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Flenderson controlling the action here.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin moves into full guard.
Flenderson preventing the sweep.
Flenderson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Merlin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Flenderson is aware though and is defending well.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Flenderson wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.
Merlin throws his legs up looking for a submission but Flenderson uses it to pass to side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (7) Flenderson
Merlin prevents Flenderson from moving into mount.
Flenderson working away.
Merlin is trying to improve his position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looks to move to half guard but instead Flenderson has passed into mount! Damn! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (2) vs (9) Flenderson
Merlin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin tries to hold on but Flenderson pushes him away.
Flenderson is stalling here but it's allowed Merlin to get half guard.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Flenderson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Flenderson trying to mount his opponent but Merlin defends it.
Flenderson content to control rather than advance.
Merlin tries to roll over but Flenderson keeps him under control.
Merlin is trying to control but can't.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin is pressing down on Flenderson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Merlin pulls Flenderson in close to prevent any damage.
Flenderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin 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: Merlin (4) vs (9) Flenderson
Flenderson is defending against the submission attempts here by Merlin.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Flenderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
Flenderson wins on points by 9 to 4. |
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