PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23279 p4p, 23521 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
24
160
29 - 45 - 3

182 cm
24
160
34 - 37 - 7

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 29 - 45 - 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 - 37 - 7, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

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 looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sapi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Libat.
Libat backing away here, and Sapi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Libat throws a body kick that misses.
Libat stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Libat wants it to stay on the feet.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.
Sapi shoots in but Libat avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sapi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Libat is fending him off so far but Sapi persists. Nope, Libat circles away and we're back to standing.
It appears Libat was looking to counter with a kick there.

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 shoots for a double leg takedown but Sapi sprawls well. He's pushed Libat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sapi thinks about the counter body kick.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Libat sprawls well. Libat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sapi gets slowly back to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Libat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi tries for a takedown but Libat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sapi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sapi wants it to stay on the feet.
And Sapi responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
Sapi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Libat is fending him off so far but Sapi persists. Nope, Libat circles away and we're back to standing.
Sapi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Libat thinks about countering with a body kick.

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 shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Libat. No joy for Sapi on that attempt.
Libat is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sapi or perhaps it was just good defense by Libat, which made it look bad.
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.

Horrible takedown attempt by Libat or perhaps it was just good defense by Sapi, which made it look bad.
Sapi thinks about the counter body kick.
Libat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sapi.
And Libat counters with a quick kick to the body but Sapi blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Libat counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat looks for a takedown but Sapi sprawls well.
And Sapi responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.

Libat has managed to clinch.
Sapi can't get the takedown.
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 showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Libat is trying to trip Sapi. He has hold of a leg but Sapi is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Libat persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Libat is looking to stand up but Sapi won't let him.
Libat is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Libat stops Sapi from standing up.
Libat keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sapi's head.
Libat is fighting to break Sapi's control of his arms but Sapi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Libat is defended easily by Sapi.
Sapi counters with a body kick.

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.
Libat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sapi.
It appears Libat was looking to counter with a kick there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sapi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Libat is in Sapi's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sapi.

Sapi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat can't do much from the bottom here.
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.
Libat is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Libat sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Libat can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat is not content to let Sapi control the position.
You can see the frustration on Libat's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sapi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Libat swivels and escapes.
Crunch! Sapi slams his shin into Libat's torso.
Sapi dives in and grabs Libat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Libat pushes down on Sapi's head and hops out.
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 is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sapi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sapi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Sapi drives through with a takedown into Libat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to his closed guard and prevents Sapi from doing any damage or advancing position.
Libat is trying to control the position but Sapi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat controlling the position.
Sapi stopping the sweep attempt from Libat.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to his closed guard and prevents Sapi from doing any damage or advancing position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sapi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Wala Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Libat has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

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