PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24285 p4p, 24590 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
21
160
15 - 22 - 0

182 cm
21
160
16 - 21 - 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 15 - 22 - 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 16 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

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 closes this distance looking for a takedown but Libat circles away.

Sapi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sapi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Libat wants to control but Sapi passes into side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Sapi has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sapi working away.

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.
Sapi taking a breather here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Libat wants to control but Sapi postures up.
Libat manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Libat is looking to stall here but Sapi recovers full 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
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 is trying to control the position but Libat postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Libat controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Libat slaps away a takedown attempt from Sapi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat tries for a takedown but Sapi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sapi counters with a body kick.
Sapi fails with a takedown attempt.
Libat drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sapi sprawls and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sapi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Sapi tries to sprawl but Libat drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat controlling the action here.
Sapi is looking to control Libat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sapi avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sapi is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Sapi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Libat.
Sapi trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Sapi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Libat has Sapi pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is stalling in the full guard.
Sapi won't allow Libat to sweep him here.
Libat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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 preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Libat trying to keep a closed guard but Sapi is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat moves out of range of the body kick from Sapi.

Libat tries to sprawl but Sapi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat wants to improve his position but Sapi is controlling well.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Libat dives in and scores a takedown into Sapi's guard.
Libat postures up.
Libat stays in close to Sapi's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sapi has control of Libat's left arm, preventing Libat from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sapi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Libat stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sapi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sapi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Libat counters with a solid body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Sapi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Libat trying to control but Sapi postures up.
Libat slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Libat looking to control but Sapi passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Sapi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Libat is trying to control but Sapi manages to pass to mount!

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.
Sapi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Libat is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
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 tries to hold on but Sapi pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wala Sapi.
I've got Sapi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

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