PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23330 p4p, 23576 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
24
160
27 - 44 - 3

182 cm
24
160
34 - 35 - 6

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 27 - 44 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 35 - 6, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, 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.

Libat fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sapi sprawls well initially but Libat persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sapi is looking to control Libat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sapi avoid being mounted?
Sapi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Libat haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Libat trying to control the pace.
Sapi desperately trying to maintain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi keeps control of the position for the meantime.

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

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.

Sapi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Libat has his hands on Sapi's head, controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sapi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Libat looking for a sweep. Not yet Libat, not yet.
Libat is pulling down on Sapi's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
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 managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sapi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Libat slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
That's time! Libat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Libat tries to land a front kick but Sapi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Libat closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Libat lands in his opponent's guard.
Libat 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.
Sapi keeping moving, preventing Libat from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat controls from within his opponent's guard.
Higanti Libat overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sapi is pulling down on Libat's head. It's preventing any offense from Libat, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sapi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Libat working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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

Libat closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sapi manages to get to full guard.
Sapi pulls Libat in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Libat controls the pace.
Libat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapi can do to turn this around?
Sapi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat wants to control from the top but Sapi keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Libat content to stall in guard here.

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!
Sapi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Libat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sapi somewhat.
Libat swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Libat fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sapi enables Libat to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sapi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat sitting in guard here, content to control.
Libat trying to control the position from guard on top but Sapi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat with a nice head shot there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Libat doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sapi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Libat dives in and grabs Sapi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sapi pushes down on Libat's head and hops out.
Despite the aggression on Sapi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sapi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sapi showed some decent athleticism there.
Libat tries to kick Sapi off but Sapi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sapi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Libat!
Sapi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
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.
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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi avoids the attempt from Libat to control.

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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

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