PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Estep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Blankenship (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Estep comes to the cage accompanied by Courageous. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Estep
vs
Blankenship

183 cm
19
210 lbs
6 - 13 - 0

183 cm
19
210 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 6 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brian Estep!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kenny Blankenship!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Estep looks for a takedown but Blankenship sprawls well.
Estep fails to land the takedown.
Blankenship fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Estep.
Blankenship shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Estep counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Blankenship's guard now.
Estep is breathing heavily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Blankenship looking for a sweep. Not yet Blankenship, not yet.
Estep controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Estep landing with the ground and pound.
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!
Blankenship is trying to keep Estep in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship 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.
Blankenship can't keep his opponent in guard - Estep advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Estep with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Blankenship wants to control but Estep is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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. Estep connects with a nice short shot to Blankenship's temple.
Estep is thwarting Blankenship's attempts to control the position.
Estep slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Estep looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Blankenship is trying to get back to full guard.
Blankenship is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Estep scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Blankenship tries to get to full guard but Estep has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Blankenship tries to sprawl but Estep drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Estep working Blankenship over with strikes.
Estep controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

We're going to have a standup here because Brian Estep wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Blankenship leaves Estep with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Estep. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Estep misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Estep circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Estep lands with a kick to the temple. Blankenship shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blankenship looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Estep is fending him off so far but Blankenship persists. Nope, Estep circles away and we're back to standing.
Blankenship shoots in and drives through. Estep sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Estep dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Estep moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Estep scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Estep slows the pace down in half guard.
Blankenship is looking for a sweep. Estep is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Estep escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship fails with the takedown.
Estep stuffs the takedown.
Estep with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Estep closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Blankenship's guard.
Estep seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Blankenship really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Estep. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Estep working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Estep stands up over Blankenship, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Estep is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Brian Estep has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Estep fails with a takedown attempt.

Estep manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Blankenship on his heels. He'll look to pass Blankenship's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Estep stands and throws Blankenship's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Blankenship's face as Estep controls the position.

Estep has an Americana. Blankenship didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Estep is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Estep hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Brian Estep!
Brian Estep made sure to mention his sponsor, Nature's Edge Nutrition in his post fight interview.