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CWC 310 - Peterson vs Zulu PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the lightweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 19 wins and 10 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 20 wins and 23 losses; Roman Boesku!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Eddie Farnsworth.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Boesku darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (0) vs (2) Boesku
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.
Merlin keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Boesku is pressing down on Merlin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Merlin is holding on for now.
Boesku is controlling the pace.
Merlin is looking for a sweep. Boesku is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boesku seems to be looking for submissions.
Merlin trying to control from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Boesku trying to control from half guard but Merlin is working away.
Merlin is controlling Boesku's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Boesku sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Boesku seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Merlin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Merlin tries to get to full guard but Boesku has control of the leg.
Boesku wants to take a breather but Merlin is having none of it.
My spies in Average Judas Gym inform me that Boesku has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin is positioning himself well to prevent Boesku advancing to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boesku takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Boesku is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Boesku to get the leverage.
Merlin controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Boesku tries to pass the half guard into mount. Merlin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin trying to control from the bottom.
Merlin controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Boesku is working away from the top position though.
Merlin tries to roll over but Boesku keeps him under control.
Boesku is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Merlin is staying active underneath Boesku, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin manages to get to full guard.
Boesku wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Boesku tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Boesku got a little sloppy there for a moment and Merlin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Boesku has managed to get both his arms back between Merlin's legs - danger averted.
Boesku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boesku wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boesku wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Boesku is one step ahead there.
Merlin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Merlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boesku is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Merlin looking to control.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boesku sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Merlin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Boesku manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Boesku
Boesku keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin content to stall in guard here.
Boesku trying to control the position here.
Boesku 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 seven minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Boesku holds on and takes a little breather.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Boesku is keeping the position for now.
Boesku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boesku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boesku is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merlin stands and throws Boesku's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (5) vs (2) Boesku
Merlin trying to control the action but Boesku is working from the bottom.
A lull in the action here as Merlin stalls from top position.
Merlin passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Boesku! Score +2 for reaching mount: Merlin (7) vs (2) Boesku
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control but Boesku is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boesku regains half guard.
Merlin prevents Boesku from improving his position.
Merlin passes the guard and advances to mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (10) vs (2) Boesku
Merlin tries to control but Boesku wriggling away.
Boesku wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Merlin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Merlin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Boesku is looking to escape.
Boesku can't escape the position.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Boesku really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
Merlin tries to control but Boesku wriggling away.
Boesku tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Boesku bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (10) vs (4) Boesku
Merlin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin controls Boesku momentarily but Boesku frees himself.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Boesku tries to pass.
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Boesku is proving a slippery customer.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Boesku tries to pass.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Boesku pushing down on Merlin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Merlin manages to get to full guard.
Boesku is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Boesku trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin trying to control the position here.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Boesku passes Merlin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Boesku tries to pass to full mount but Merlin defends it.
Boesku is taking a breather. Merlin 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.
Merlin is trying to control but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Boesku prevents Merlin from improving his position.
Merlin is trying to maintain the position but Boesku is very close to passing his half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 10 to 4.
During a confident post fight interview, Xavier Merlin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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