PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24290 p4p, 24623 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
20
160
14 - 18 - 0

182 cm
20
160
13 - 19 - 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 14 - 18 - 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 13 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

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 shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Sapi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sapi is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat trying to control but Sapi postures up.
Sapi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat is looking to control Sapi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Libat avoid being mounted?
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Libat keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

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

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.
Sapi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Libat counters with a good low kick that Sapi was not able to check.
Libat buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
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 tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sapi swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Libat shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sapi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Libat's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sapi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Libat.
Libat trying to control the position from guard on top but Sapi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sapi wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sapi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Libat is stalling in the full guard.

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

A close round but Wala Sapi will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sapi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sapi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Libat is trying to maintain the position but Sapi is very close to passing his half guard.
Sapi controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sapi counters with a body kick that stops Libat in his tracks momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sapi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Libat napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sapi is trying to ground and pound but Libat uses the momentary lack of control by Sapi to regain half guard.
Libat wants to control but Sapi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Libat avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sapi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Sapi jumps into side control!
What's Libat going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi is staying tight to Libat's torso, preventing him from escaping.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Libat dives in for a single leg takedown but Sapi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A countering left hand to the body from Sapi misses.
Libat stops a takedown attempt from Sapi.
Sapi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Libat prevents it.
Libat is pressed up against the cage. Sapi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Libat down to the mat. Libat avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
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.
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 just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromLibat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi tries for a takedown but Libat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It looked like Libat was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sapi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Libat circles away.

Sapi scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Libat is trying to control but can't.
Wala Sapi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sapi not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat tries to roll over but Sapi keeps him under control.
Libat trying to control but Sapi postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Libat shoots in for a takedown but Sapi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Libat drives through with a takedown into Sapi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Libat not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wala Sapi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Libat has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sapi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Libat stacks Sapi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Libat!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Higanti Libat.
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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

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