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WP 71 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 49 wins and 67 losses; Billy Turturro! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 81 wins and 46 losses; Xavier Merlin!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Merlin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Turturro's half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Turturro (0) vs (2) Merlin
Merlin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
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.
Turturro is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turturro actively working from the bottom here.
My spies in KFA inform me that Merlin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Turturro won't allow Merlin to pass to mount.
Turturro is trying to maintain the position but Merlin is very close to passing his half guard.
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 is staying active underneath Merlin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Merlin in particular looking to stall.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to get back to full guard but Merlin has mounted him! Score +3 for passing guard: Turturro (0) vs (5) Merlin
Merlin prevents Turturro from getting the reversal.
Turturro tries to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Turturro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Merlin tries to control but Turturro wriggling away.
Merlin controlling the pace for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin content just to control the position here.
Turturro is desperately trying to improve his position but Merlin has a good base and remains in mount.
Turturro tries to hold on but Merlin postures up.
Turturro manages to regain half guard. Good work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turturro moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Turturro pulls Merlin in close to prevent any damage.
Merlin trying to control the position from guard on top but Turturro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Merlin looking to pass the guard.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is working from the bottom.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Turturro managing to control the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Turturro is looking to sweep but instead, Merlin has passed into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Turturro'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.
Turturro is looking to control Merlin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Turturro avoid being mounted?
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Merlin controlling the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. Turturro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Turturro wants to sweep here but Merlin controlling him for the moment.
Turturro working a defensive guard here.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Merlin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is working from the bottom.
Turturro managing to control the position.
Merlin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Turturro has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Merlin has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Turturro (0) vs (8) Merlin
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Turturro tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Turturro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Turturro is looking for a sweep.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Merlin gets to mount! Turturro was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly. Score +2 for reaching mount: Turturro (0) vs (10) Merlin
Turturro wants to hold on but Merlin pushes him away.
Merlin wants to control the pace but Turturro is squirming around nicely.
Turturro is trying desperately to improve 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 ten minutes gone in the round.
Merlin trying to control but Turturro is having none of it.
Turturro is looking to get to half guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is working hard here to advance position.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin is having none of it.
Turturro really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Merlin looking to control but Turturro is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Turturro tries to lock up and control but Merlin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Turturro tries to reverse the position but Merlin maintains control.
Turturro is squirming around, avoiding Merlin's attempts to control the action.
Merlin avoids the attempt from Turturro to control.
Turturro regains half guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is concentrating on defense, preventing Merlin from advancing position.
Turturro wants to control but Merlin is keeping busy.
Merlin trying to control the action but Turturro is working from the bottom.
Turturro tries to roll over but Merlin keeps him under control.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Merlin is keen to just control but Turturro is a slippery customer.
Merlin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Turturro is trying to get back to full guard.
Turturro trying to hold on to Merlin's head to control him but Merlin postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turturro manages to get to full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merlin wins on points by 10 to 0.
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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