PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24448 p4p, 25039 weight class) and Way Nada (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
Nada

182 cm
18
160
2 - 4 - 0

182 cm
18
160
4 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 2 - 4 - 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 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

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.
Nada shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Libat defends it nicely.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Nada changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Libat looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Nada content to control rather than advance.
Libat wants to control but Nada is keeping busy.
Nada performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nada is thwarting Libat's attempts to control the position.

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.

Libat looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Libat is positioning himself well to prevent Nada advancing to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat looks for a takedown but Nada sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Libat but Libat pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It looked like Libat was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nada fails with the takedown.
And Libat counters with a quick kick to the body but Nada blocks it.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.

That's four 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.

Nada gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Libat to score an easy takedown into full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nada holds on and takes a little breather.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Libat fails to land the takedown.
Nada counters with a body kick.
Libat fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nada avoids it really well and circles away.
Nada follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada shoots and misses
and Libat counters with a body kick.
Libat darts in looking for a takedown but Nada gets double underhooks and turns Libat into the cage.
Despite the aggression on Nada'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.
Libat is looking for a takedown.
Libat changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nada fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two 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.
Nice takedown defense from Nada. No joy for Libat on that attempt.
Nada replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Libat blocks it well.
Nada misses with a takedown attempt
and Libat makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Nada really felt that one!

Nada looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nada controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking to stand up but Nada isn't so interested in that idea.
Libat controls Nada momentarily but Nada frees himself.
Libat managing to control the position.
Libat keeping full guard, as Nada tries to pass.

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 looking to control but Nada passes into half guard.
Nada seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Libat is trying to control but can't.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Way Nada 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. This is the final round!

Libat slaps away a takedown attempt from Nada, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Nada tries for a takedown but Libat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Libat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nada.
Libat throws a counter high kick but Nada was just alert enough to avoid it.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat fails with a takedown attempt.
Nada now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada shoots in but no luck this time.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Nada tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Libat swivels and escapes.
Libat throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nada's waist but Nada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Libat off to one side.

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.
Libat shoots in and drives through. Nada sprawls well.
Nada thinks about the counter body kick.
Nada shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Libat thinks about countering with a body kick.
Nada darts in looking for a takedown but Libat gets double underhooks and turns Nada into the cage.
As Nada backs away, Libat returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

Libat shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Libat was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nada is trying to control Libat's posture but Libat avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat wants to control but Nada is keeping him busy.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Nada is trying to control Libat's posture but Libat avoids it.
Libat slows the pace down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat working the head with strikes.
Nada is being controlled here.

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

Libat closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nada is looking to control Libat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nada avoid being mounted?

And that's the end of the fight!
Higanti Libat showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

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