PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24338 p4p, 24682 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Libat
vs
Nada

182 cm
21
160
20 - 26 - 0

182 cm
21
160
18 - 28 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 20 - 26 - 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 18 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

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.
Nada leaves Libat with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Libat circles away.
Libat goes for a double leg but Nada avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nada continues to drive forward.
Nada thinks about the counter body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada looking for a takedown.
Libat stops a takedown attempt from Nada.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Libat has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nada clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Nada breaks Libat's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nada won't allow Libat to sweep him here.
Libat wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Nada content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nada is fighting to break Libat's control of his arms but Libat is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Libat being controlled here, momentarily.
Nada trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Libat is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Nada changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Libat looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat wants to control but Nada postures up.
The referee asks Nada politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nada prefers to stall for the moment though.
Libat is looking to reverse the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Libat's face as Nada controls the position.
Libat tries to buck Nada off but Nada is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Higanti Libat will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nada drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nada takes a little break here. Libat wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Libat stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat wants to control but Nada postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Nada working away.
A lull in the action here.

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

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

Nada gets caught napping as Libat dives in and scores a takedown. Nada manages to retain guard.
Libat wants to control from the top but Nada keeps moving.
Libat stays in close to Nada's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada is striking from the bottom but Libat uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Nada is staying active underneath Libat, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nada is positioning himself well to prevent Libat advancing to mount.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Way Nada has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

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 has his takedown stuffed
and Nada counters with a solid body kick.
Nada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Libat counters with a flying knee. Nice.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Way Nada will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Libat misses with a kick to the body

and Nada counters with a shoot takedown. Libat fights it but they end up in guard.
Nada preventing the sweep.
Nada landing some decent shots from guard.
Nada working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat is pulling down on Nada's head. It's preventing any offense from Nada, at least for the moment.
Libat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nada throws a nice head kick!

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.
Libat gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nada counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nada.
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.
Nada engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Libat pulls Nada in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat looking to control.
Nada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nada 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.
Libat is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four 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.
Nada slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Let's hope that Nada 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 referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Way Nada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nada 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Way Nada!