PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24062 p4p, 24339 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
22
160
22 - 32 - 0

182 cm
22
160
23 - 29 - 3

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 22 - 32 - 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 23 - 29 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

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 scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Libat looking for submissions off his back.
Sapi is thwarting Libat's attempts to control the position.
Sapi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Sapi 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.
Libat is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sapi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Libat counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapi fails to land the takedown.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Sapi throws the kick towards the body but Libat avoids it.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Sapi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Libat quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi prevents Libat from improving his position.
Sapi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Libat's head.
Sapi stalling.
Libat is trying is best to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Libat wants to improve his position but Sapi is controlling well.
Libat trying to hold on to Sapi's head to control him but Sapi postures up.
Sapi throwing shots but Libat is blocking nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sapi leaves Libat with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Libat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sapi as he jumps to the side.
And Sapi responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
Libat fails with the takedown.
Sapi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Libat blocks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sapi swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sapi misses with a takedown attempt - Libat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It appears Libat was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sapi feints and as Libat raises his hands in defense, Sapi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Libat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sapi controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapi won't allow Libat to sweep him here.
Sapi is stalling in the full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Libat holds on and takes a little breather.
Sapi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sapi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Libat looks for a takedown but Sapi sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Libat shoots in for a double leg but Sapi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Sapi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Libat quickly recovers to half guard.
Sapi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Libat is positioning himself well to prevent Sapi advancing to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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.
That's time! Libat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sapi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Libat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Libat stuffs the takedown.
Sapi fails with a takedown attempt.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Libat counters with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but Libat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Libat fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Libat closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sapi quickly recovers to half guard.
Libat moves nicely into side control.
Libat controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapi tries to buck Libat off but Libat is having none of it.
Sapi struggling a bit here.
Libat slows the pace down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is trying to improve his position.
Sapi holding on.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Libat will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Libat shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapi controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Libat trying to control the pace.
Wala Sapi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat seems to be working for a kimura but Sapi defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Higanti Libat showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sapi 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wala Sapi!