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TWGC 35 (185lbs, D1): Las Vegas Qualifier - Round 2 PBP Commentary |
Co-main event
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This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 7 wins and 4 losses; Valentin Saric! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 28 wins and 12 losses; Aedan Declan!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Declan circles away from the clinch attempt.
#TD#
A momentary lapse in concentration from Declan enables Saric to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Declan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Saric (2) vs (0) Declan
Declan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Declan controlling the position.
Saric wants to pass the guard but Declan is keeping the position.
Saric 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.
Declan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saric trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Declan is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Saric has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saric wants to control from the top but Declan keeps moving.
Declan looking to control.
Saric trying to control but Declan is working from the bottom.
Saric is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Declan is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.#T1#
Saric tries to free his leg and advance position but Declan is retaining full guard.
Saric sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Saric is fighting to break Declan's control of his arms but Declan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Declan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Declan keeping full guard, as Saric tries to pass.
Declan pulls Saric in close to prevent any damage.
Saric trying to control but Declan is working from the bottom. #T2#
Saric stopping the sweep attempt from Declan.
Saric showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Saric's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Declan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saric is one step ahead there.
Declan keeping moving, preventing Saric from controlling successfully.
Declan trying to control the position.
Declan managing to control the position.
Saric tries to free his leg and advance position but Declan is retaining full guard. #T3#
Declan is trying to control the position but Saric postures up.
Saric really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saric preventing the sweep.
Declan controlling the position.#SUB2#
Declan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Declan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Declan keeping full guard, as Saric tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saric pushes down on Declan's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Saric is pressing down on Declan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Declan is holding on for now. #SUB#
Saric is looking for a kimura here.
#T4#
Saric is thwarting Declan's attempts to control the position.
Saric trying to control the action but Declan is working from the bottom.
Declan controlling the position well.
Saric wants to control but Declan is keeping him busy.
Saric is really struggling to control Declan but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Saric prevents Declan from improving his position.
Declan trying to control from the bottom.
Declan wants to improve his position but Saric is controlling well.
#T5#
Declan regains full guard. Nicely done.
Saric wants to pass the guard but Declan is keeping the position.
Saric being controlled here momentarily.
Declan 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.
Saric trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Declan manages to land a sweep and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saric (2) vs (2) Declan
Saric 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.
Saric controls Declan momentarily but Declan frees himself.
Declan's corner is telling him to maintain position.#T6#
Saric pulls Declan in to control the position.
Declan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Saric looking for a sweep. Not yet Saric, not yet.
Declan wants to pass the guard but Saric is keeping the position.
Saric wants to sweep but no luck.
Declan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard. #T7#
Saric is trying to keep Declan in close.
Declan pushes down on Saric's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Saric is trying to get back to full guard.
Declan wants to take a breather but Saric is having none of it.
Saric has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Declan is working away from the top position though.#SUB#
Saric is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Declan pulls his head out easily.
Saric wants to control but Declan is keeping busy.
#T8#
Well, if Declan is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Let's hope that Declan has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Saric is trying to control but can't.
Declan is pressing down on Saric's thigh, looking to free his foot. Saric is holding on for now.
Saric is trying to control but can't.
Saric wants to improve his position but Declan is controlling well.
#T9#
Saric wants to control but Declan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Saric is looking to improve his position.
My spies in Marty Robbin's Fight Ranch inform me that Declan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Saric wants to control but Declan is keeping busy.
Declan is looking to advance position but Saric won't allow it.
Declan perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Saric manages to get to full guard.
Saric controls Declan momentarily but Declan frees himself. #T10#
Declan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Declan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saric regains full guard. Nicely done.
Declan not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Declan preventing the sweep.
Saric keeping moving, preventing Declan from controlling successfully.
Saric 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.#T11#
Declan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saric is keeping the position for now.
Saric looking to hit a scissor sweep but Declan is one step ahead there.
Declan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Saric keeping moving, preventing Declan from controlling successfully.
Declan postures up.
Declan controlling from the top position.
Saric keeping moving, preventing Declan from controlling successfully. #T12#
Declan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Saric lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saric (4) vs (2) Declan
Declan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saric is one step ahead there.
Saric is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Saric is fighting to break Declan's control of his arms but Declan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Declan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saric will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.#T13#
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Declan is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saric (4) vs (4) Declan
Saric is trying to control the position but Declan postures up.
Saric has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saric is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saric (6) vs (4) Declan
Declan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saric's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Saric (6) vs (6) Declan
Declan stopping the sweep attempt from Saric.
Saric can't keep his opponent in guard - Declan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Declan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Saric manages to regain full guard. Nice work. #T14#
Declan trying to control but Saric is working from the bottom.
Declan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Declan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Saric seems keen to control Declan's posture.
Saric is trying to keep Declan in close.
Saric keeping full guard, as Declan tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Declan preventing the sweep.
Declan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that's the end of the fight!
As we have tied on points, we go to a tie breaker and Saric gets a bonus point for attempting more subs.
Saric takes the fight on points by 7 to 6. |
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Main event
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This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 23 wins and 9 losses; Bobby Wangler! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 2 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Alan Glass.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wangler defends well and Merlin ends up having to push Wangler into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wangler defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Merlin.#TD#
Wangler shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Wangler (2) vs (0) Merlin
Merlin is trying to control the position but Wangler postures up.
Wangler wants to pass the guard but Merlin is keeping the position.#SUB2#
Merlin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wangler defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Merlin is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Wangler (2) vs (2) Merlin
We've been hearing good reports from Wangler'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 stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wangler swivels though and keeps the full guard. #T1#
Merlin trying to control but Wangler is working from the bottom.
Merlin is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Wangler is retaining full guard.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Wangler keeps moving. #T2#
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Wangler is keeping the position.
Merlin advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Wangler (2) vs (5) Merlin
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Wangler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wangler regains half guard.#T3#
Merlin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Wangler is working away.
Wangler is looking to improve his position.
Merlin is figuring out what he wants to do next.
It looks like Merlin might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.#T4#
Merlin passes to side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Wangler (2) vs (8) Merlin
Wangler is not content to let Merlin control the position. #T5#
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Merlin trying to control the position but Wangler is working away.
Wangler regains half guard there - taking advantage of Merlin's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Merlin wants to free his trapped foot but Wangler is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merlin trying to control from half guard but Wangler is working away. #T6#
Wangler is trying to get back to full guard.
Merlin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Wangler is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.#T7#
Merlin is taking a breather. Wangler 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 wants to control but Wangler is keeping him busy.
Merlin content to control rather than advance.
Wangler wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Merlin tries to pass to full mount but Wangler defends it.
Merlin wants to advance to full mount but Wangler doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead. #T8#
Merlin is looking to advance position but Wangler has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Wangler (6) vs (8) Merlin
Merlin wants to control but Wangler is having none of it.
Wangler controlling the position easily from mount.
Merlin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Merlin wants to improve his position but Wangler is controlling well.
Merlin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.#T9#
Wangler trying to control the pace.
Merlin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Merlin is trying to control the position but Wangler postures up.
Wangler engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Wangler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Merlin is keeping the position for now.
Merlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.#T10#
Merlin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wangler's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Wangler (6) vs (10) Merlin
Merlin wants to control from the top but Wangler keeps moving.
Merlin looking to sit in guard and control but Wangler gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Wangler (8) vs (10) Merlin
Merlin looking to control.
Wangler tries to free his leg and advance position but Merlin is retaining full guard.
Wangler stays in close to Merlin's body and controls the position. #T11#
Merlin is controlling Wangler's posture.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Wangler slips nicely into half guard.
Wangler is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Merlin is trying to control but Wangler manages to pass to mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Wangler (11) vs (10) Merlin#T12#
Merlin wants to control but Wangler is having none of it.
Merlin 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.
Merlin trying to control here.
Wangler slows the pace down in half guard.
Merlin tries to roll over but Wangler keeps him under control.#T13#
Merlin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Wangler's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Wangler's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Wangler (11) vs (14) Merlin
Merlin looking to hold on to the position here but Wangler rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Wangler keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wangler is keeping the position for now.
Merlin seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
My spies in KFA inform me that Merlin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin wants to control from the top but Wangler keeps moving. #T14#
Merlin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Wangler is pulling down on Merlin's head to control his posture.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wangler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Merlin wants to control from the top but Wangler keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
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.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 14 to 11.
Xavier Merlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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