|
|
wp 17 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 London, with a TWGC record of 11 wins and 8 losses; Charles Manson! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 49 wins and 26 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Steve Montenegro.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Manson clinches with his opponent.
Manson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Manson (2) vs (0) Merlin
Manson passes into half guard.
Merlin wants to control but Manson is keeping busy.
Manson is looking for a kimura but Merlin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Manson to get the leverage.
Manson trying to advance position but Merlin counters by regaining guard.
Merlin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manson's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Manson (2) vs (2) Merlin
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manson looking to control.
Manson 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: Manson (4) vs (2) Merlin
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control but Manson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Manson is looking to advance position but Merlin won't allow it.
Merlin controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Manson wants to pass the guard but Merlin is defending well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manson trying to control from half guard but Merlin is working away.
Manson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Merlin is just riding it out for now. Manson eventually gives up the hold.
Merlin holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Manson trying to mount his opponent but Merlin defends it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Merlin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Manson.
Manson trying to mount his opponent but Merlin defends it.
Merlin moves into full guard.
Manson looking to sit in guard and control but Merlin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Manson (4) vs (4) Merlin
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!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Merlin trying to control but Manson is working from the bottom.
Manson looking for a sweep. Not yet Manson, not yet.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Manson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Merlin has managed to get both his arms back between Manson's legs - danger averted.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Manson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Merlin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Manson is looking to improve his position.
We've been hearing good reports from Manson'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.
Manson gets full guard.
Merlin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Manson's guard.
Merlin stalling.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin passes to side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Manson (4) vs (7) Merlin
Merlin wants to control but Manson is keeping him busy.
Manson struggling a bit here.
Manson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Merlin controlling the position.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Manson 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.
Merlin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Manson is looking to regain half guard here but Merlin keeps moving and retains side control.
Merlin taking a breather here.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control the action but Manson is working from the bottom.
Manson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Manson trying to remain calm as Merlin controls from the top position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Manson manages to get back to half guard.
Manson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Manson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Merlin jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Manson (4) vs (10) Merlin
Merlin passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Manson! Score +2 for reaching mount: Manson (4) vs (12) Merlin
Manson tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin controlling the position easily from mount.
Manson tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to control but Manson wriggling away.
Merlin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Manson is looking to get to half guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to control but Manson wriggling away.
Manson tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
Manson is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin looking to control but Manson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Manson wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
Manson working to try and regain half guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control but Manson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Manson tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Merlin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Manson is working to get back to half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from mount.
Manson can't escape the position.
Merlin controlling his opponent.
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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 12 to 4.
Xavier Merlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
|
|
|
|
|
