PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23855 p4p, 24200 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
20
160
13 - 14 - 0

182 cm
20
160
9 - 18 - 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 13 - 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 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

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 drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi looking for a sweep. Not yet Sapi, not yet.
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 engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sapi working a defensive guard but Libat manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi is letting Libat control him for a moment.
Libat throws a strike aimed at the side of Sapi's head but Sapi avoids it well.
Libat controls the position from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Libat working away.
Libat trying to control the action but Sapi is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but Libat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Libat shoots in for a takedown but Sapi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Libat gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sapi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to his closed guard and prevents Sapi from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Libat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Libat is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sapi preventing the sweep.
Sapi postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sapi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sapi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Sapi has a takedown stuffed.
Libat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Sapi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sapi looking to score a takedown here. Libat is defending well but Sapi drives through and ends up in Libat's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Libat holds on and takes a little breather.
Sapi sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat is trying to keep Sapi in close.
Libat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sapi controls the pace.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is adopting a defensive guard.

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

Libat tries to sprawl but Sapi drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Libat kicks off Sapi and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sapi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Libat somewhat.
Sapi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Libat blocks it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi throws a leg kick which misses Libat's front leg but catches the back leg as Libat tries to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wala Sapi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Libat darts in looking for a takedown but Sapi gets double underhooks and turns Libat into the cage.
Sapi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Libat has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sapi after a bit of a struggle.
Libat is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sapi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sapi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Libat gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Libat pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat looks for the body kick but Sapi saw that one coming.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Libat fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Libat gets caught flat footed, as Sapi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat is trying to control the position but Sapi postures up.
Libat wants to sweep but no luck.
Sapi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi wants to control from the top but Libat keeps moving.
Libat is pulling down on Sapi's head. It's preventing any offense from Sapi, at least for the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Libat being controlled here, momentarily.

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

That's four 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.
Sapi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sapi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Libat appears to be looking for a big counter.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wala Sapi.
I think Sapi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Wala Sapi!