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WP 52 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 70 wins and 39 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 35 wins and 47 losses; Boris Balkan!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are 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: Merlin (4) vs (0) Balkan
Merlin trying to control the position but Balkan is working away.
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.
Balkan is trying to control Merlin's posture but Merlin avoids it.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Balkan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merlin controls the position from side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan is looking to reverse the position.
Balkan keeps trying to improve his position.
Merlin wants to control but Balkan is keeping him busy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan 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 is staying tight to Balkan's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Balkan is not content to let Merlin control 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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is staying tight to Balkan's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Balkan is looking for a sweep.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Balkan preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Balkan is not content to let Merlin control the position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan trying to control but Merlin postures up.
Balkan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Merlin being controlled here momentarily.
Merlin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Balkan 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: Merlin (4) vs (2) Balkan
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balkan controlling the pace.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Balkan jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (4) vs (5) Balkan
Merlin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Merlin holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Still in half guard, Balkan seems content to control.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to improve his position.
Merlin is trying to control but can't.
Balkan not doing much here.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to free his trapped foot but Merlin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Merlin is trying to get back to full guard.
Balkan controlling the pace.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Balkan prevents Merlin from improving his position.
Merlin is working hard here to advance position.
Merlin is positioning himself well to prevent Balkan advancing to mount.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Merlin tries to get to full guard but Balkan has control of the leg.
Balkan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Merlin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Merlin wants to improve his position but Balkan is controlling well.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to maintain the position but Balkan is very close to passing his half guard.
Merlin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Merlin keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Balkan is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Merlin! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (4) vs (8) Balkan
My spies in Blacktalians MMA inform me that Balkan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is trying to take his opponent's back.
Balkan controlling from mount.
Balkan's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to improve his position but Balkan isn't that keen on the idea.
Balkan sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Merlin wants to control but Balkan is having none of it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Balkan wins on points by 8 to 4.
A victorious Boris Balkan thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter. |
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