PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Estep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathaniel Price (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Estep comes into the arena with Courageous blaring out of the sound system. Price is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Thunderstruck. The key to victory for Brian Estep has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Estep
vs
Price

183 cm
18
210 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

183 cm
18
210 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Nature's Edge Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brian Estep!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nathaniel Price!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Price fails to land with a series of punches.

Price shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Price showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Price slows the pace down in half guard.
Estep wants to control but Price is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Price content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nathaniel Price was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Estep fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Price sprawls well initially but Estep persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Price gets full guard.
Estep stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Price swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Price is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Price is controlling the pace.
Price wants to control but Estep is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Estep wants to get back to his feet.
Price controlling the action here.
Price lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Estep tries to get to full guard but Price has control of the leg.
Estep is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Price trying to control the action but Estep is working from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nathaniel Price wasn't active enough on the ground.
Estep fails with an attempt to clinch.

Price moves into the clinch successfully.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Price breaks the clinch.
Price shoots in but Estep avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Price moves into the clinch.
Estep is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Price digs a right hand into Estep's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Estep's gas tank.
Estep changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Price fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Estep fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Estep. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Estep tries to sprawl but Price drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Price takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Price thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Price controlling the action here.
Price moves into full mount! Estep won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathaniel Price dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Estep avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Estep scores with a jab.

It looks like Nathaniel Price has been cut.
Estep scores with a hook.
Price fails with a takedown attempt.
Nathaniel Price seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Price feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Price postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Estep has his foot on Price's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Price works his way back into a safe position though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Price trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Estep manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Price looking for a guillotine here but Estep defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Price is working an open guard so Estep takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Estep wants to clinch up but Price keeps it at a distance.
Estep shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Price as he jumps to the side.
A head kick misses from Price.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Price moves into range and clinches up with Estep.
Estep avoids a wild elbow strike from Price.
Estep utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Price pushes off an throws an elbow but Estep leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Price breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Price attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Price forces Estep back against the cage and clinches.
Estep landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Estep.
Price trying to stall but Estep improves his position.

Estep manages to pull guard.
Estep manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Price is in a horrible position here. Estep smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Estep get's back to his feet.
Estep misses with a takedown attempt - Price sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Price looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Estep!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Price tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Price scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Price mounts Estep! Really nice guard pass there!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Price looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brian Estep will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Price's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Estep is trying hard to land a takedown here. Price sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Estep shoots and misses

and Price counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Price.
Price controls from within his opponent's guard.

Price gets to his feet. Estep looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Price feints and as Estep raises his hands in defense, Price changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Price postures up and lands a big shot to Estep's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Price pushes down on Estep's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Price looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Price prevents Estep from improving his position.
Price working the head and body with strikes.
Price slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Price wants to free his trapped foot but Estep is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nathaniel Price hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Estep takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Price tries to clinch up but Estep circles away and keeps his distance.

Estep tries to keep at a distance but Price has taken the fight into the clinch.
Estep is pressed up against the cage. Price has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Estep down to the mat. Estep avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Estep enables Price to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Estep manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Estep is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Price stands up and waves to Estep to follow him.
Price looks to clinch

and Estep counters by moving into the clinch.

Price wants the takedown. Estep is fighting it off but Price persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Estep's guard against the cage.
Estep wants to sweep here but Price controlling him for the moment.
Estep not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Price trying to control the position from guard on top but Estep is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Estep escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Price gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Price content to stall in guard here.
Estep wants to control the position but Price says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Estep won't allow Price to pass to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathaniel Price comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Price has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathaniel Price!
Nathaniel Price made sure to mention his sponsor, Nature's Edge Nutrition in his post fight interview.