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WP 64 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 77 wins and 43 losses; Xavier Merlin! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 36 wins and 46 losses; Strega Notturna!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Richard Clark.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Notturna as he avoids it easily.
Xavier Merlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Merlin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Notturna tries to avoid it but Merlin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Notturna to the ground. Notturna escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Notturna with the counter takedown but Merlin avoids it easily.
Merlin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Merlin (4) vs (0) Notturna
Notturna sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Notturna is doing well to control the position and prevent Merlin from advancing to side control.
Well, if Merlin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Notturna is controlling Merlin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Merlin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Notturna is controlling Merlin's position as best he can from this difficult position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merlin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Notturna keeps working.
Notturna desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Merlin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Notturna! Score +3 for passing guard: Merlin (7) vs (0) Notturna
Merlin has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Notturna is wriggling around trying to escape.
Notturna tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Merlin can't control as he wanted to and Notturna manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Notturna controlling the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is looking to take a break and control but Notturna is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Merlin trying to pass the guard but Notturna defending well.
Notturna is positioning himself well to prevent Merlin advancing to mount.
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 (7) vs (4) Notturna
Merlin is really stuck here.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Notturna controls the action.
Notturna gets his hands free as Merlin looks to control.
Notturna is riding his opponent, not letting Merlin buck him off.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Notturna has the hooks in. Merlin is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Merlin trying to control but not successfully.
Merlin is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Notturna.
My spies in Average Judas Gym inform me that Notturna has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Merlin can't escape the position.
Merlin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Notturna controlling the position well here. Merlin rolled but Notturna kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
That's eight 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 nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is in bad spot here.
Notturna biding his time, controlling Merlin.
Merlin is in bad spot here.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Notturna controls the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin can't escape the position.
Notturna controlling from the back.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is trying to break free.
Notturna biding his time, controlling Merlin.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Notturna's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin takes the fight on points by 7 to 4.
An out of breath Xavier Merlin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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