PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23844 p4p, 24185 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
20
160
13 - 15 - 0

182 cm
20
160
10 - 18 - 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 13 - 15 - 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 10 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

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.
Sapi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Libat.
Nice sprawl there from Libat as Sapi shoots in.

Libat scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sapi keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Sapi wants to control but Libat is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi is holding on to half guard well.
Libat controlling the action here.
Sapi controlling the position for now.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Libat controlling the action here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
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 looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

Sapi gets tackled into the cage by Libat. Libat maintains the clinch.
Sapi goes for a takedown attempt but Libat pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat shoots in for a takedown but Sapi shows good takedown defense.
Sapi is trying to counter with his kicks.
Libat closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sapi circles away.
Sapi is trying to counter with his kicks.

Libat scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sapi keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Sapi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is looking to control Libat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sapi avoid being mounted?
Libat is controlling the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that 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.

Libat looking to score a takedown here. Sapi is defending well but Libat drives through and ends up in Sapi's guard.
Sapi has control of Libat's left arm, preventing Libat from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi keeping moving, preventing Libat from controlling successfully.
Sapi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi wants to control the position but Libat says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Libat with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi is looking to control Libat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sapi avoid being mounted?
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Libat content to control rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Libat has his takedown stuffed
and Sapi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Sapi shoots in looking for a takedown. Libat tries to sprawl out of it but Sapi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Libat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sapi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Libat somewhat.

Sapi gets a takedown into half guard.
Higanti Libat overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat wants to control but Sapi is keeping busy.
Libat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapi can do to turn this around?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Libat bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sapi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Libat slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Libat laying and praying for a moment but Sapi takes advantage and regains half guard.
Libat slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two 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 positioning himself well to prevent Libat advancing to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat throws a body kick that misses.
As Libat backs off Sapi throws a huge counter combo but Libat manages to avoid it all.
Libat has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Libat fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sapi is looking for the big counter here.
Libat tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sapi defends well and Libat ends up having to push Sapi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Libat wants to take the fight to the mat but Sapi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four 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.

Sapi is fighting off a takedown attempt but Libat is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Sapi to the mat. Sapi regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Libat stopping the sweep attempt from Sapi.
Libat throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sapi seems keen to control Libat's posture.
Libat looking to sit in guard and control but Sapi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Higanti Libat showed his dominance in that final round.
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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

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