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WP 3 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 Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 32 wins and 39 losses; Roman Boesku! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 39 wins and 22 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin gets a takedown into half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Boesku (0) vs (2) Merlin
Boesku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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 stalling.
Boesku trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Score +3 for passing guard: Boesku (0) vs (5) Merlin
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boesku tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Boesku sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Merlin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Boesku'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.
Boesku trying to control from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boesku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boesku is looking to get back to full guard here but Merlin has managed to pass to side control instead. Score +3 for passing guard: Boesku (0) vs (8) Merlin
Merlin is staying tight to Boesku's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Boesku is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boesku is looking for a sweep.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boesku is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Merlin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Boesku is trying to get back to full guard.
Boesku is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin wants to pass to mount but Boesku is defending the position.
Boesku moves into full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Boesku wants to sweep but no luck.
Boesku being controlled here, momentarily.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to pass the guard but Boesku is keeping the position.
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.
Boesku keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
Boesku looking for a sweep. Not yet Boesku, not yet.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Boesku is adopting a defensive guard.
Boesku tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Boesku keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to free his leg and advance position but Boesku is retaining full guard.
Boesku looking to control.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Boesku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boesku wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
Merlin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Boesku swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boesku wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Merlin is now in half guard.
Merlin is trying to control the action in half guard but Boesku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Boesku is positioning himself well to prevent Merlin advancing to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boesku is looking to control Merlin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Boesku avoid being mounted?
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Boesku (0) vs (11) Merlin
Boesku tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Merlin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Boesku's face as Merlin controls the position.
Merlin gets to mount! Boesku was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly. Score +2 for reaching mount: Boesku (0) vs (13) Merlin
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Boesku wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Boesku regains half guard.
Merlin is trying to control the action in half guard but Boesku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Merlin seems content to control.
Boesku slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Boesku 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: Boesku (2) vs (13) Merlin
Boesku wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
That's twelve 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 wants to improve his position but Boesku is controlling well.
Boesku works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Boesku (5) vs (13) Merlin
Boesku wants to control but Merlin is keeping him busy.
Boesku wants to control for a moment but Merlin uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Merlin is not content to let Boesku control the position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Boesku is one step ahead there.
Boesku trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boesku looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boesku pushes down on Merlin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Boesku is trying to control the action in half guard but Merlin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Boesku performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Boesku is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Merlin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Merlin is positioning himself well to prevent Boesku advancing to mount.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 13 to 5.
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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