PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24037 p4p, 24409 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
20
160
11 - 14 - 0

182 cm
20
160
9 - 16 - 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 11 - 14 - 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 9 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith 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 for a takedown but Libat sprawls well.
Libat throws a quick counter kick to the body but Sapi avoids it.
Libat shoots in but no luck this time.
Libat fails to land the takedown.
Sapi feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Libat wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Sapi with that takedown attempt.
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 double leg but Libat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sapi works Libat's body with a nice hook.
Libat fails with the takedown.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's two 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.
Sapi shoots in looking for a takedown but Libat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sapi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Libat is looking to counter with a body kick.

Libat scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Libat working away.
Libat is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Sapi's shoulder. That is not cool.
Libat misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking to take a break and control but Sapi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sapi seems a little lost for a moment, as Libat dominates the positioning.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Libat trying to control the position but Sapi is working away.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sapi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Libat counters with a single leg into guard. Sapi didn't expect that.
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.
Sapi wants to sweep here but Libat controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Libat leaves Sapi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Libat gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat slows the pace down in half guard.

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 not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Libat perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sapi is trying is best to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat leaves Sapi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat leaves Sapi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.
Libat closes the distance and clinches up with Sapi, looking for a takedown. Libat pushes Sapi against the cage but Sapi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Libat as he jumps to the side.
Sapi just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromLibat.

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 tries for a takedown but Libat circles away easily

so Libat counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sapi working a defensive guard but Libat passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sapi looking to score a takedown here. Libat is defending well but Sapi drives through and ends up in Libat's guard.
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.
Sapi throws a strike but Libat rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sapi controlling Libat's posture.
Sapi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Libat controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Sapi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Libat slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Sapi shoots in but no luck this time.
Libat appears to be looking for a big counter.
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 is looking for the big counter here.

Sapi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sapi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sapi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Libat tries to roll over but Sapi keeps him under control.

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.
Sapi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Libat is concentrating on defense, preventing Sapi from advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
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.
Sapi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Libat counters with a body kick that stops Sapi in his tracks momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sapi quickly recovers to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wala Sapi.
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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

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