PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23595 p4p, 23857 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
23
160
26 - 41 - 2

182 cm
23
160
31 - 34 - 5

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 - 41 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 34 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

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 fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
No luck for Libat with that takedown attempt.
Sapi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Sapi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Libat's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi controls the position.
Libat can't do much from the bottom here.
Sapi in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Let's hope that Sapi has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

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 misses with the body kick

and Sapi counters with a takedown into side control.
Libat wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Libat keeps Sapi under control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is trying to improve his position.
Libat is being controlled here.
Libat can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi controlling from side mount.
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 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Sapi gets caught napping as Libat dives in and scores a takedown. Sapi manages to retain guard.
Sapi controls Libat momentarily but Libat frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi is adopting a defensive guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi dominated that round.
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.

Sapi dives in for a single leg takedown but Libat sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Libat manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sapi on his heels. He'll look to pass Sapi's guard now, I'm sure.
Libat throws a strike but Sapi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sapi trying to control the position from guard on top but Libat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Libat trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi content to stall in guard here.
Wala Sapi has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat pulls Sapi in to control the position.
Libat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sapi controls the pace.

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 trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Sapi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Libat struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sapi is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sapi slows the pace down.

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 is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Libat's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat shoots in looking for a takedown but Sapi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Libat's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
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.
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! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sapi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Libat to the ground. Sapi is now in Libat's guard.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to prevent any damage.
Sapi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sapi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat wants to improve his position but instead Sapi has moved into half guard.
Sapi is taking a breather. Libat says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sapi slaps away a takedown attempt from Libat, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat shoots in looking for a takedown but Sapi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Libat's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sapi slaps away a takedown attempt from Libat, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Libat stuffs the takedown attempt from Sapi. Sapi gets slowly back to his feet.

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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sapi is defended easily by Libat.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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 tries for a takedown but Sapi circles away easily
and Sapi counters with a solid body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wala Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sapi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

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