PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23928 p4p, 24334 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wala Sapi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
19
160
6 - 13 - 0

182 cm
19
160
7 - 12 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Libat fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sapi avoids it really well and circles away.
Sapi looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Libat has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sapi or perhaps it was just good defense by Libat, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sapi.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Libat shoots in for a double leg but Sapi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And Sapi responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Libat tries for a takedown but Sapi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Libat with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sapi counters with a body kick that stops Libat in his tracks momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Libat shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sapi is trying to defend but Libat finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sapi keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is looking for a sweep. Libat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Libat wants to pass the guard but Sapi is defending well.
Sapi controlling the position well.
Well, if Libat 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sapi is staying active underneath Libat, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sapi misses with a kick to the body

and Libat counters with a single leg into guard. Sapi didn't expect that.
Libat trying to control the position from guard on top but Sapi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Libat misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sapi is trying to counter with his kicks.

Sapi drives through with a takedown into Libat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Libat has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat wants to sweep but no luck.
Sapi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Libat wants to sweep here but Sapi controlling him for the moment.
Sapi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Libat shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Libat showed some decent athleticism there.
Sapi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Libat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi keeping hold of Libat's head, controlling as best he can.
Sapi is looking to improve his position.

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.
Sapi is not content to let Libat control the position.
Sapi is looking for a sweep. Libat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Libat missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat darts in looking for a takedown but Sapi gets double underhooks and turns Libat into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Higanti Libat will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Sapi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Libat kicks Sapi off and gets back to his feet.
Libat misses with a kick to the body.
Sapi counters with a body kick.
Sapi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Libat tries to avoid it but Sapi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Libat to the ground. Libat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Libat appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi misses with a body kick.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Sapi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sapi lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sapi wants to control from the top but Libat keeps moving.
Libat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to prevent any damage.
Sapi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Libat takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Libat misses with a takedown
and Sapi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Sapi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Libat on his heels. He'll look to pass Libat's guard now, I'm sure.
Libat is controlling Sapi's posture.
Sapi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Wala Sapi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higanti Libat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi wants to control from the top but Libat keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wala Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Libat has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Higanti Libat!