Is entirely possible you are right. I havent done the fight. But the vid made it look to me like you were bound in place and then bombarded. I didnt see the bind icon go away(is it maybe a 2nd target to break the chain and sam just didnt bother because melee?). The attacks do look simple to dodge IF you can move. If not, burning him faster then he can burn you seems like the logical play. So far im not curious enough to dig up where this would fall into the NG+ sphere to try for myself, but i guess if Niwa continues to struggle is a possibility.