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WP 19 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 New York, with a TWGC record of 50 wins and 26 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 28 wins and 38 losses; Billy Turturro!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Turturro goes for a double leg but Merlin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Merlin continues to drive forward.
Turturro darts in looking for a takedown but Merlin gets double underhooks and turns Turturro into the ropes.
Merlin closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Turturro's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Turturro
Turturro 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.
Merlin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Turturro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turturro keeping full guard, as Merlin tries to pass.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Merlin preventing the sweep.
Turturro is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merlin content to stall in guard here.
Turturro seems keen to control Merlin's posture.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Turturro wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
Turturro is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro controls Merlin momentarily but Merlin frees himself.
Merlin stays in close to Turturro's body and controls the position.
Turturro 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.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turturro working a defensive guard here.
Turturro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Turturro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Turturro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merlin is one step ahead there.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is working from the bottom.
Merlin trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Turturro manages to land a sweep and now he's on top! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Turturro
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Turturro stays in close to Merlin's body and controls the position.
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Turturro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Merlin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turturro trying to control but Merlin is working from the bottom.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin keeping full guard, as Turturro tries to pass.
Merlin looking for a sweep. Not yet Merlin, not yet.
Turturro pushes down on Merlin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Turturro wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
Turturro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merlin keeps working.
Turturro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to roll over but Turturro keeps him under control.
Turturro is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Turturro is trying to control. Merlin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Turturro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merlin keeps working.
Turturro wants to pass to mount but Merlin is defending the position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Turturro trying to control the pace.
Merlin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Turturro looking to pass the guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to keep Turturro in close.
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Turturro slips effortlessly into side control - very nice. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (2) vs (5) Turturro
Turturro goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Merlin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Turturro's guard! Nice work there by Merlin! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (5) Turturro
Turturro 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: Merlin (4) vs (7) Turturro
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to control from the top but Merlin keeps moving.
Turturro 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: Merlin (6) vs (7) Turturro
Turturro 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: Merlin (6) vs (9) Turturro
Merlin is controlling Turturro's posture.
Turturro passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (6) vs (12) Turturro
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro looking to control but instead Merlin has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Merlin is looking for a sweep. Turturro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Turturro wants to take a breather but Merlin is having none of it.
Turturro wants to advance to full mount but Merlin doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Turturro trying to control the position from guard on top but Merlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
My spies in Blacktalians MMA inform me that Turturro has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Turturro is looking to pass into half guard but Merlin pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Merlin is in guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (8) vs (12) Turturro
Merlin stopping the sweep attempt from Turturro.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turturro managing to control the position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Turturro wins on points by 12 to 8.
Our winner, Billy Turturro, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans. |
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