PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eric Jacquin (ranked 920 p4p, 758 weight class) and Lesley Dancer (ranked 121 p4p, 102 weight class). Lesley Dancer told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Jacquin
vs
Dancer

170 cm
26
165
8 - 0 - 0

172 cm
26
165
8 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eric Jacquin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lesley Dancer!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jacquin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jacquin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dancer.

Jacquin drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jacquin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dancer has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Elite Island Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Jacquin trying to control the position from guard on top but Dancer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dancer keeping full guard, as Jacquin tries to pass.
Dancer keeping moving, preventing Jacquin from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jacquin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dancer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dancer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacquin wants to pass the guard but Dancer is keeping the position.
Dancer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jacquin controlling from the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jacquin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dancer throws out the jab.
Dancer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jacquin misses the shot to the body.
Jacquin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dancer.
Dancer swings for the body but Jacquin moves out of range.
Jacquin misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Dancer counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jacquin looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jacquin.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Jacquin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jacquin shoots in and drives through. Dancer sprawls well.
A jab from Dancer does it's job there.
Jacquin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Jacquin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dancer on his heels. He'll look to pass Dancer's guard now, I'm sure.
Jacquin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dancer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dancer wants to stand and escape but Jacquin is having none of it.
Jacquin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dancer wants to stand but Jacquin is controlling the position.
Jacquin is pushing down on Dancer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dancer is fighting to maintain full guard but Jacquin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jacquin content to control rather than advance.
Jacquin tries to pass to full mount but Dancer defends it.

Jacquin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dancer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jacquin.
Jacquin wants to pass to mount but Dancer is defending the position.

That's four 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.
Jacquin is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Jacquin passes to full mount!
Poor strikes thrown by Jacquin there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dancer's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Jacquin throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Dancer because Jacquin loaded up on that one.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dancer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dancer is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Jacquin has taken his back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Jacquin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dancer lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Jacquin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dancer.
Eric Jacquin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dancer connects with a body shot.
Jacquin shoots for a double leg takedown but Dancer sprawls well. He's pushed Jacquin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jacquin fails with a takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Dancer misses.
Jacquin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dancer defends well and Jacquin ends up having to push Dancer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Dancer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Jacquin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dancer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jacquin throws an overhand right that lands on Dancer's shoulder, as Dancer tries to avoid the shot.
Dancer looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Dancer.
Dancer scores with a jab.
Jacquin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Dancer connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Jacquin is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacquin glances at the clock... BAM! Dancer nails him with a big right hand! A momentary lapse in concentration sends Jacquin crashing to the mat! The referee steps in and this one is over! Damn, Jacquin is out of it, he thinks the ref is his opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Lesley Dancer!
Lesley Dancer is the new lightweight champion!
A relieved looking Lesley Dancer thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.