PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23645 p4p, 23910 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
23
160
26 - 40 - 1

182 cm
23
160
30 - 34 - 4

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 26 - 40 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 34 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

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 scores with a spinning back kick!
Sapi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Libat defends well and Sapi ends up having to push Libat into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Libat shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sapi pinned against the cage. Sapi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi stuffs the takedown attempt from Libat. Libat gets slowly back to his feet.
Sapi counters with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Libat.
Sapi is trying to counter with his kicks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sapi looks for a takedown but Libat sprawls well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapi trying to control the pace.
Libat keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Libat is looking for a sweep. Sapi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Libat is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Sapi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
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 three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Sapi might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Sapi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking to control Sapi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Libat avoid being mounted?
Libat wants to improve his position but Sapi is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi content to control rather than advance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi 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.

Sapi shoots in but no luck this time.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Libat dives in for a single leg takedown but Sapi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Libat moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSapi.
Libat prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sapi is working for takedown but Libat is calmly controlling the position for now.
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.
Libat is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sapi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sapi darts in looking for a takedown but Libat gets double underhooks and turns Sapi into the cage.
Libat scores with a kick to the midsection.
Sapi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two 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 shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sapi as he jumps to the side.
Sapi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And Libat counters with a quick kick to the body but Sapi blocks it.

Libat shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sapi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Libat's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi controlling Libat's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sapi fails with a takedown attempt.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Sapi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Libat appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Sapi. No joy for Libat on that attempt.
Sapi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Libat is defended easily by Sapi.
Sapi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Libat counters with a body kick.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.

That's two 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.
Libat shoots in and drives through. Sapi sprawls well.
Sapi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Libat gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sapi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is stalling in the full guard.
Sapi trying to control the position from guard on top but Libat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sapi being controlled here momentarily.
Sapi looking to sit in guard and control but Libat gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sapi pulls Libat in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wala Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

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