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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Harper (ranked 566 p4p, 67 weight class) and Arnfinn Nesset (ranked 303 p4p, 42 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 168 cm
22
150 lbs
10 - 4 - 0 |
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180 cm
21
145 lbs
8 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Miguel Harper!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arnfinn Nesset!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harper doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nesset connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Harper looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nesset is fending him off so far but Harper persists. Nope, Nesset circles away and we're back to standing.
Harper shoots in and bounces Nesset off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nesset is looking to stand back up but Harper counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Nesset.
Nesset manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Harper keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Nesset blocks an uppercut.
Harper lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harper pushes Nesset back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Harper lands a body punch.
Nesset misses with a body punch.
Harper has Nesset pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Harper pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Nesset tumbling to the mat - Harper dives into Nesset's guard.
Nesset working a defensive guard here.
Harper might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nesset looking for a guillotine here but Harper defends easily.
Harper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nesset is keeping the position for now.
Nesset looking to control.
Harper makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Our spies down at at Zero Tolerance inform us that Nesset has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Harper connects with a couple of short punches.
Harper is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harper chips away with some ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nesset has his foot on Harper's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Harper works his way back into a safe position though.
Nesset working for submissions but it's allowed Harper to get to half guard.
Nesset is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Harper is thwarting Nesset's attempts to control the position.
Harper tries to pass to full mount but Nesset defends it.
Harper wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nesset keeps working.
Nesset looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Harper works his way into side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper trying to control the action but Nesset is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nesset is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Harper working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Harper tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Nesset tries to bench press Harper off him but Harper keeps the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Harper is looking to take a break and control but Nesset is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Harper is putting a hurting on Nesset here, landing some big shots from side control.
Harper is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Nesset is trying to control Harper's posture but Harper avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harper taking a breather here.
Harper is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nesset knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Miguel Harper dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Harper throws a jab but it's blocked by Nesset.
Harper dives in for a single leg takedown but Nesset sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Despite the aggression on Nesset's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Harper has been working on his balance at Pablo's Boxing Academy, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Nesset.
Harper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nesset connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nesset misses with a body shot.
Good shot there by Harper.
Nesset swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harper tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nesset! But no joy.
Nesset throws a series of punches but Harper avoids them all with ease.
Harper moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper throws out a loose jab but Nesset uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nesset swinging wildly here.
Harper tries to counter with a takedown but Nesset is quick to defend against it.
Nesset takes a shot to the body in his stride.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Nesset enables Harper to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nesset manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Harper with a nice head shot there.
Harper trying to control but Nesset is working from the bottom.
Harper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harper pushing down on Nesset's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Nesset is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Harper pulls his head out easily.
Ground and pound from Harper.
Harper is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nesset trying to control here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nesset actively working from the bottom here.
Harper wants to take a breather but Nesset is having none of it.
Harper takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Miguel Harper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harper missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nesset looking for submissions off his back.
Harper has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Harper prevents Nesset from standing back up.
Nesset looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nesset is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nesset on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Harper stalling.
Nesset avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Harper.
Harper is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nesset doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Harper.
Harper is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nesset moves into full guard.
Harper pushing down on Nesset's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Harper is keen to just control but Nesset is a slippery customer.
Harper works his way into full mount!
The referee warns Nesset that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nesset takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Nesset is rocked!
Nesset manages to regain half guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Miguel Harper dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Harper closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nesset circles away.
Harper has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Harper there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sloppy strikes from Nesset. Those never looked like landing.
Harper looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nesset! But no joy.
Harper closes the distance and pushes Nesset back into the cage.
Nesset tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Harper's elbow.
Nesset struggles to land a body shot inside as Harper controls his hands.
Harper is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nesset can do to turn this around?
Nesset swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nesset's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Harper looks to land a right hand but Nesset moved out of range.
Nesset ducks under a wild hook from Harper.
Despite the aggression on Nesset's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper doesn't manage to clinch there - Nesset circles away.
Nesset uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harper.
Nesset tries to bum rush Harper with a series of wild strikes but Harper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Harper scores with a three punch combo!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper sizes up Nesset with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Harper throws a hook but Nesset blocks it.
Harper gets a double leg takedown into Nesset's guard.
Harper scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nesset utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Harper trying to control the position from guard on top but Nesset is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nesset working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Harper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Harper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Harper is working Nesset over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Harper with a flurry of punches that miss.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper looking to sit in guard and control but Nesset gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Nesset preventing the sweep.
Harper has his foot on Nesset's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nesset works his way back into a safe position though.
Nesset got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harper has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nesset has managed to get both his arms back between Harper's legs - danger averted.
Harper lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
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!
Harper chips away with some ground and pound.
Harper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Harper with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nesset working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Harper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Harper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nesset has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Harper can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nesset looking for a guillotine here but Harper defends easily.
Nesset takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nesset looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Harper's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Harper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nesset works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nesset keeping full guard, as Harper tries to pass.
Harper content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Harper lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Harper with a nice head shot there.
Nesset looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Harper scoring with some ground and pound.
Harper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nesset works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harper stands up over Nesset, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Miguel Harper clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Harper takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nesset just misses with a punch to the body.
Harper swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nesset.
Miguel Harper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harper fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nesset avoids it really well and circles away.
Harper closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper lands a left hand.
Harper misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Nesset.
Harper tries a body shot but Nesset blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Harper.
Harper has picked Nesset up - he's going for a ride! Harper dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harper lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nesset actively working from the bottom here.
Harper landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Harper wants to control but Nesset is keeping him busy.
Harper is looking for a kimura here.
Harper prevents Nesset from standing back 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Harper lands a nice short elbow.
Nesset looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nesset looking for submissions off his back.
Nesset is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Harper keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Harper missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Harper.
Harper takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Harper sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nesset defending well though.
Harper is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nesset is still in real trouble! Can Harper finish him?
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nesset is trying to stand back up but Harper is controlling him
Nesset seems to have recovered his senses.
Harper is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Harper trying to control from half guard but Nesset is working away.
Harper throwing shots but Nesset is blocking nicely.
Harper not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nesset is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Harper scores with a couple of nice shots.
Harper seems to be working for a kimura but Nesset defends the submission attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nesset actively working from the bottom here.
Nesset taking some punishment here, with Harper in his half guard.
Harper seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nesset looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nesset wants to control but Harper is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nesset avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Harper.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Miguel Harper had his way with Arnfinn Nesset in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Nesset throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nesset has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Harper finds it's way round the side to connect with Nesset's head.
Nesset takes one on the button.
Nesset cracks Harper with an open hand slap.
Nesset keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Harper.
Harper avoids the body shot from Nesset.
Harper drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nesset sprawls and moves away.
Harper scores with a hook to the body. Nesset takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nesset fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Harper lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper tries to clinch up but Nesset circles away and keeps his distance.
Nesset has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Harper wants to clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nesset connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Harper looks to score with a jab to the body but Nesset is just out of range.
Nesset scores with a jab to the jaw.
Harper digs a good hook to Nesset's body.
Harper steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nesset.
Harper misses with a straight left.
Harper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nesset unleashes a big counter combination but Harper bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Harper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harper throws an overhand right that lands on Nesset's shoulder, as Nesset tries to avoid the shot.
Harper bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Miguel Harper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Harper looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Harper closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nesset did well to prevent Harper getting side control.
Nesset actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harper seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nesset wants to get back to full guard.
Nesset gets full guard.
Harper advances to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper thows a huge punch but Nesset dodges it nicely.
Nesset is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Harper pulls his head out easily.
Nesset is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nesset won't allow Harper to pass to mount.
Harper controlling the action here.
Nesset is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Harper scores with a couple of nice shots.
Harper is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nesset defends it well.
Harper is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nesset looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Harper is trying to control the action in half guard but Nesset is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Harper connects with a nice short shot to Nesset's temple.
Harper wants to pass to mount but Nesset is defending the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harper is nestled in close to Nesset, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Arnfinn Nesset has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nesset flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
And that's the end of the fight!
Miguel Harper showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Harper, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 50:45
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miguel Harper!
Miguel Harper is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Miguel Harper thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
39% |
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