PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Estep (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Sizemore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Estep comes to the cage accompanied by Courageous. Brian Estep could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Markus Sizemore's chin.

Estep
vs
Sizemore

183 cm
20
210 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

175 cm
19
200 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brian Estep!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Markus Sizemore!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sizemore darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Estep is looking to control Sizemore's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Estep avoid being mounted?
Sizemore content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Markus Sizemore has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Estep gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sizemore to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estep tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sizemore avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sizemore stays in close to Estep's body and controls the position.
Sizemore advances to half guard.
Sizemore perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sizemore drops an elbow to the side of Estep's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sizemore trying to pass the guard but Estep defending well.
Still in half guard, Sizemore seems content to control.
Estep tries to get to full guard but Sizemore has control of the leg.
Sizemore seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Estep trying to control here.

Sizemore is looking for a kimura but Estep is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sizemore to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sizemore throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Estep trying to control but Sizemore postures up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sizemore with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Markus Sizemore.
Sizemore slips a jab and a cross from Estep.
Sizemore tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sizemore throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Estep with a poor takedown

and Sizemore counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Estep is breathing heavily.
Sizemore content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sizemore lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sizemore looks to land a strike but Estep avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Sizemore looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sizemore must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Markus Sizemore.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Estep enables Sizemore to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Estep manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sizemore fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Estep sprawls well initially but Sizemore persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Estep is staying active underneath Sizemore, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Estep is looking to control Sizemore's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Estep avoid being mounted?
Sizemore is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sizemore content to control rather than advance.
Estep moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Estep looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sizemore is stalling in the full guard.
Markus Sizemore has got the better of the ground game so far.

Markus Sizemore has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sizemore pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Estep back to the cage. Sizemore follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sizemore.
Sizemore controls the position.
Sizemore grinds an elbow into Estep's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Estep seems a little lost for a moment, as Sizemore dominates the positioning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Estep is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sizemore blocks the strikes from Estep.

Sizemore decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Sizemore fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sizemore dives in and scores a takedown into Estep's guard.
Sizemore wants to get up but he can't break Estep's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sizemore pushing down on Estep's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Estep wants to get back to his feet.
Sizemore is controlling the pace.

Sizemore stands up and beckons Estep to join him on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Estep misses with a takedown

and Sizemore counters with a nice double leg into side control. Estep won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Estep is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Estep's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sizemore 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.
Sizemore tries to advance to mount but Estep denies him.
Estep is letting Sizemore control him for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sizemore's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Sizemore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Estep tries for a takedown but Sizemore circles away easily

and Sizemore counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sizemore pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Estep is keeping the position for now.
Estep working a defensive guard here.
Sizemore is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sizemore lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sizemore trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sizemore's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Markus Sizemore has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Sizemore closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sizemore lands in his opponent's guard.
Estep wants to stand but Sizemore is controlling the position.

Estep is working an open guard so Sizemore takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Sizemore drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sizemore stands and steps away. Estep gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Estep closes the distance and clinches up with Sizemore, looking for a takedown. Estep pushes Sizemore against the cage but Sizemore circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Markus Sizemore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Estep swats away the attempt to clinch by Sizemore.
Sizemore tries to clinch but Estep moves out of range.
Sizemore moves away from the strike by Estep.
Sizemore tries to clinch but Estep moves away
and Estep counters with a one-two to the body.
Sizemore looks to land a body kick but Estep moved away.

Sizemore closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Sizemore working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Estep taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sizemore content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Sizemore tries to move to mount but Estep blocks the move with his legs.
Estep throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Sizemore is staying tight to Estep's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sizemore is putting a hurting on Estep here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sizemore tries to move into full mount but can't pass Estep's legs.

Sizemore stands up.

Sizemore scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sizemore working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Sizemore really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Estep doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Sizemore counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sizemore passes into half guard.
Sizemore looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Estep is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Sizemore is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Estep has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sizemore passes to side control.
A lull in the action here as Sizemore stalls from top position.
Sizemore has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Sizemore is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Estep is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Estep regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Estep kicks Sizemore off and gets back to his feet.
Sizemore throws a body punch but Estep moves out of range.
Estep shoots and misses

and Sizemore counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sizemore.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sizemore passes into half guard.
Sizemore looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Sizemore is pressing down on Estep's thigh, looking to free his foot. Estep is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Sizemore is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Sizemore stands up and beckons Estep to join him on the feet.

Sizemore scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sizemore controlling the position.
Estep wants to get back to his feet but Sizemore drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Estep trying to remain calm as Sizemore controls from the top position.
Estep tries to improve position but can't.
Estep is trying to escape the position but Sizemore is controlling the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

Sizemore closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Estep quickly recovers to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sizemore moves into full mount! Estep won't be happy about that!
Sizemore tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Sizemore dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sizemore shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Estep working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sizemore has passed into half guard!
Sizemore tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Estep.
Sizemore is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sizemore scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Sizemore punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sizemore looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sizemore raining down hammerfists from mount.
Estep working to try and regain half guard.
Sizemore controlling his opponent.
Sizemore landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sizemore punishing his opponent with strikes.
Estep takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sizemore looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sizemore working Estep over with strikes here.
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!

Sizemore moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Estep has worked his arm free - good work by Estep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sizemore decides to stand up, so the ref orders Estep to his feet.
Estep shoots in for a double leg but Sizemore sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Brian Estep is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sizemore closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sizemore lands in his opponent's guard.
Sizemore slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sizemore trying to control but Estep is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sizemore postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Estep controls Sizemore momentarily but Sizemore frees himself.
Sizemore pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Estep is keeping the position for now.
Sizemore advances to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sizemore not doing much here.
Brian Estep has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Markus Sizemore is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
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!

Sizemore decides to stand and escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Markus Sizemore comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sizemore has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 45:50
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 45:50

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