PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Claude Dacre (ranked 605 p4p, 69 weight class) and Arnfinn Nesset (ranked 1083 p4p, 121 weight class). Claude Dacre had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Dacre
vs
Nesset

179 cm
21
154 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Claude Dacre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arnfinn Nesset!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Dacre or perhaps it was just good defense by Nesset, which made it look bad.
Dacre has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Dacre shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nesset as he avoids it easily.
Dacre with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nesset to score with a decent uppercut.
Dacre tries for a takedown but Nesset circles away easily
and Nesset connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Dacre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dacre with a poor takedown
and Nesset counters with a one-two to the body.
Nesset misses with a two punch combination.
Nesset dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dacre shoots for a double leg takedown but Nesset sprawls well. He's pushed Dacre's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dacre.
Nesset throws a series of punches but Dacre avoids them all with ease.
Dacre attempts a counter takedown but Nesset avoids it well and moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dacre goes for a double leg but Nesset avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nesset continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dacre or perhaps it was just good defense by Nesset, which made it look bad.
Dacre with a poor takedown
and Nesset counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Dacre thinking.
Nesset has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Dacre is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Dacre throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nesset's waist but Nesset gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dacre off to one side.
Nesset takes a swing at Dacre's ribcage but misses.
Dacre fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nesset avoids it really well and circles away.
Nesset moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Claude Dacre has been cut.
Dacre takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nesset is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dacre takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Dacre has a takedown stuffed.
Nesset lands a head shot.

Dacre is rocked!
Nesset connects with a single shot there.
Oh Dacre is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Nesset tries to sprawl but Dacre drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Dacre is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nesset moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nesset is on top in guard.

Dacre seems to have got his legs back now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nesset stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Dacre shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nesset bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dacre's head backwards.
Dacre shoots in looking for a takedown. Nesset tries to sprawl out of it but Dacre keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nesset manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dacre shoots in looking for a takedown. Nesset tries to sprawl out of it but Dacre keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nesset manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A little jabbing left from Nesset on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nesset enables Dacre to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nesset manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Dacre stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Dacre shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nesset as he avoids it easily.
Dacre changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nesset tries to avoid it but Dacre manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nesset to the ground. Nesset escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Claude Dacre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dacre will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nesset defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dacre.
Dacre is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dacre or perhaps it was just good defense by Nesset, which made it look bad.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nesset darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nesset lands a nice hook to Dacre's body. Dacre takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nesset scores with a jab.
A punch combination from Nesset misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nesset gets caught flat footed, as Dacre shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nesset is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nesset really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dacre. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Nesset working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dacre doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dacre manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dacre postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nesset is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Dacre, into his guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arnfinn Nesset dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Claude Dacre's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dacre closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Dacre seems to be working for a kimura but Nesset defends the submission attempt.
Claude Dacre overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Dacre is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nesset is just riding it out for now. Dacre eventually gives up the hold.

Dacre is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nesset has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nesset is trying to stand up here but Dacre is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dacre seems to be working for a kimura but Nesset defends the submission attempt.

Nesset looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Dacre is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nesset is just riding it out for now. Dacre eventually gives up the hold.

Nesset looking for submissions off his back.
Nesset trying to control but Dacre postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nesset slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Dacre goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Nesset has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Dacre but great work by Nesset.
Dacre wants to get back to his feet.
Dacre is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nesset wants to stand but Dacre has his arm trapped.
Dacre wants to get back to his feet but Nesset drags him back down.
Nesset has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dacre is looking for a sweep.
Nesset wants to stand but Dacre is controlling his arm.
Dacre tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Nesset decides to stand back up. Nesset steps back and let's Dacre get back to his feet.
A cross from Nesset lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dacre shoots in but no luck this time.
Dacre shoots in for a takedown but Nesset shows good takedown defense.
Dacre gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nesset counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Dacre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nesset stuns Dacre with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Dacre shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nesset sprawls well. Nesset wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dacre gets slowly back to his feet.
Dacre shoots in but Nesset avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dacre is defended easily by Nesset.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arnfinn Nesset showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Claude Dacre's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Dacre with a poor takedown
and Nesset counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dacre misses with a takedown attempt
and Nesset counters with a straight right hand.
Arnfinn Nesset seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dacre with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nesset counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Dacre. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nesset throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nesset works Dacre's body with a nice hook.
Dacre gets caught by a brutal right hook which buckles his knees! Dacre tries to backpedal with his spaghettilegs but Nesset is headhunting and goes for the kill. A jab and a right hook connect and Dacre buckles badly as his eyes roll back. The referee steps in and saves Dacre!! Dacre is complaining but he was clearly out on his feet. Nesset throws his mouthpiece into the crowd. Mmmm spit-tastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Arnfinn Nesset!
A victorious Arnfinn Nesset thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Claude Dacre spoke after the fight, saying 'Thanks for coming..I'll be back'.