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WP 46 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 67 wins and 36 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 27 wins and 38 losses; Strega Notturna!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and James Glass.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Notturna gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Merlin to score an easy takedown into full guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (0) Notturna
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Notturna is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Merlin content to stall in guard here.
Merlin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Notturna for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merlin looking to sit in guard and control but Notturna gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (2) vs (2) Notturna
Merlin trying to control the position here.
Merlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Notturna is one step ahead there.
I've been told that Notturna has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Merlin holds on and takes a little breather.
Notturna trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Notturna not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to keep a closed guard but Notturna is proving a slippery customer.
Notturna not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Merlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Merlin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Notturna manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (2) Notturna
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Notturna is pulling down on Merlin's head. It's preventing any offense from Merlin, at least for the moment.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Notturna has his hands on Merlin's head, controlling the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Merlin'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 pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Notturna is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Notturna is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (4) vs (4) Notturna
Notturna sitting in guard here, content to control.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin seems keen to control Notturna's posture.
Notturna trying to move into half guard but instead Merlin has managed to sweep! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Merlin (6) vs (4) Notturna
Notturna keeping moving, preventing Merlin from controlling successfully.
Merlin advances to half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Notturna is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Merlin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Merlin's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Merlin (6) vs (8) Notturna
Merlin trying to control the position but Notturna manages to sink in the hooks.
What can Merlin do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
You can see the frustration on Merlin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but not successfully.
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 tries to roll but Notturna sticks to his back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Notturna controlling well, preventing Merlin from escaping the position.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
What can Merlin do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Merlin just trying to survive but Notturna is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Merlin wants to escape the position.
I would not like to be Merlin right now.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Notturna 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.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is really stuck here.
Merlin looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Notturna controlling from the back.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Merlin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Notturna keeps control of the position easily here as Merlin tries to buck him off.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Notturna 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!
Merlin is trying to break free.
And that's the end of the fight!
Notturna wins on points by 8 to 6.
A relieved looking Strega Notturna thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it. |
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