PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24317 p4p, 24617 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
21
160
15 - 23 - 0

182 cm
21
160
17 - 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 - 23 - 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 17 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson 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 keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A nice side step and Sapi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but Libat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Libat looks for a takedown but Sapi sprawls well.
As Libat backs off Sapi throws a huge counter combo but Libat manages to avoid it all.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Libat as Sapi shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Libat feints and as Sapi raises his hands in defense, Libat changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sapi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sapi trying to keep a closed guard but Libat is proving a slippery customer.
Sapi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Libat stopping the sweep attempt from Sapi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sapi pulls Libat in close to his closed guard and prevents Libat from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Libat leaves Sapi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Libat counters with a nice body kick.
Libat closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sapi circles away.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Libat tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sapi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Libat somewhat.

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 gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sapi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sapi shoots in for a double leg but Libat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Libat was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but Libat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Libat appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Libat closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Libat trying to control the action but Sapi is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi is trying to improve his position.
Libat just content to control the position.

That's two 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.
Libat in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sapi wants to control but Libat postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Libat trying to control the action but Sapi is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Libat gets a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat trying to control the pace.

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.
Libat winds up and cracks Sapi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Libat.
Sapi wants to control but Libat is keeping busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Libat gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in 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 slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to his closed guard and prevents Sapi from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi trying to control the position from guard on top but Libat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Libat is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

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 wants to stand but Libat is controlling his posture from full guard.
Libat managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat fails with the takedown.
Sapi thinks about the counter body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi dives in and grabs Libat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Libat pushes down on Sapi's head and hops out.
Libat is looking to counter with a body kick.
Libat looks for a takedown but Sapi sprawls well.
Sapi fails with the takedown.
A counter left hand to the body from Libat misses its target.

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.
Libat stuffs the takedown attempt from Sapi. Sapi gets slowly back to his feet.
Libat is looking to counter 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.

Libat shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sapi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.
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 30:26
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:26

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