PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23881 p4p, 24286 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
19
160
7 - 13 - 0

182 cm
19
160
7 - 13 - 1

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 7 - 13 - 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 7 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis 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.

Libat gets a takedown into half guard.
Sapi is controlling Libat's trapped leg to prevent Libat from advancing to side control.
Libat missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Libat keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Sapi for as long as he can get away with.
Libat prevents Sapi from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi wants to control but Libat is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Libat sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
No luck for Libat with that takedown attempt.
Sapi thinks about the counter body kick.

Sapi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking to regain half guard here but Sapi keeps moving and retains side control.
Libat trying to remain calm as Sapi controls from the top position.
Libat gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat controlling the position for now.
Sapi controlling the action here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

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 misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sapi shoots for a takedown but Libat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Libat appears to be looking for a big counter.
Libat fails with the takedown.
Sapi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Higanti Libat will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sapi has a takedown stuffed.

Libat scores with a takedown into Sapi's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat stays in close to Sapi's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi is trying to keep Libat in close.
Sapi controlling Libat's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat looking to sit in guard and control but Sapi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sapi is fighting to break Libat's control of his arms but Libat is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

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 controls Sapi momentarily but Sapi frees himself.
Sapi 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.
Libat has Sapi pulled in close to control his posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat keeping moving, preventing Sapi from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sapi shoots for a double leg takedown but Libat sprawls well. He's pushed Sapi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Sapi shoots for a double leg takedown but Libat sprawls well. He's pushed Sapi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Libat thinks about countering 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.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Sapi tries to sprawl but Libat drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Libat in particular looking to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sapi throws a head kick that misses.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Nice sprawl there from Libat as Sapi shoots in.
Nice sprawl there from Libat as Sapi shoots in.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat shoots in for a double leg but Sapi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Libat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapi can do to turn this around?
Sapi wants to control but Libat postures up.
Libat slows the pace down.

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.
I wouldn't like to be where Sapi is right now.
Libat staying calm.
Libat has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sapi or perhaps it was just good defense by Libat, which made it look bad.

Libat decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Higanti Libat overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sapi wants to improve his position but Libat is controlling well.
Libat is keen to just control but Sapi is a slippery customer.
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.
Libat thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi won't allow Libat to pass to mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Higanti Libat showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

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