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WP 37 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 29 wins and 39 losses; Boris Balkan! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 61 wins and 33 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Merlin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Balkan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Balkan (0) vs (4) Merlin
Balkan is not content to let Merlin control the position.
Balkan gets back to half guard.
Merlin has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at KFA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merlin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan is trying to get back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the action here.
We've been hearing good reports from Balkan'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 wants to free his trapped foot but Balkan is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merlin moves into full mount! Balkan won't be happy about that! Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (0) vs (7) Merlin
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Balkan is squirming around nicely.
Balkan is in all sorts of trouble here.
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.
Balkan working to try and regain half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Merlin 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.
Balkan wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Balkan is squirming around nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin prevents Balkan from getting the reversal.
Balkan gets back to half guard.
Balkan trying to control from the bottom.
Balkan won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Merlin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
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.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Balkan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard.
Balkan trying to control from the bottom.
Merlin works his way into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (0) vs (10) Merlin
Balkan can't do much from the bottom here.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Balkan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Balkan wants to control but Merlin postures up.
Balkan is looking for a sweep.
Merlin tries to advance to mount but Balkan denies him.
Balkan can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is looking for a sweep.
Merlin gets to mount! Balkan was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly. Score +2 for reaching mount: Balkan (0) vs (12) Merlin
Merlin avoids the attempt from Balkan to control.
Balkan is trying to escape the mount.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Balkan tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin tries to control but Balkan wriggling away.
Merlin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Balkan working to try and regain half guard.
That's ten minutes 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.
Balkan is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Balkan wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
Merlin controlling from the full mount.
Balkan keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Balkan is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Merlin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Balkan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Merlin looking to control but Balkan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Merlin prevents Balkan from getting the reversal.
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 wants to control the pace but Balkan is squirming around nicely.
Balkan tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is stalling here but it's allowed Balkan to get half guard.
Balkan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balkan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Merlin is working away from the top position though.
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 0.
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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