PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24285 p4p, 24586 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
20 - 28 - 0

182 cm
21
160
21 - 26 - 2

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 20 - 28 - 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 21 - 26 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

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 doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Libat makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Sapi really felt that one!

Libat shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Libat with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi wants to get back to full guard.
Sapi striking from the bottom.

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.
Libat is taking a breather. Sapi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sapi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Libat tries to avoid it but Sapi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Libat to the ground. Libat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Libat shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sapi has Libat pulled in close to control his posture.
Libat stays in close to Sapi's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Libat is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sapi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Libat's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Libat thinks about countering 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 fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sapi to the ground. Libat is now in Sapi's 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi has his hands on Libat's head, controlling the position.
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!

Libat manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sapi on his heels. He'll look to pass Sapi's guard now, I'm sure.
Libat trying to control the position from guard on top but Sapi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi pulls Libat in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Libat manages to get himself to full guard.

Sapi content to stall in guard here.

That's two 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 seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sapi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Libat is proving hard to escape from.
Sapi won't allow Libat to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sapi scores with a takedown into Libat's guard.
Sapi being controlled here momentarily.
Libat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapi can do to turn this around?
Libat wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi stays in close to Libat's body and controls the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
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 fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Libat shoots in but no luck this time.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sapi is defended easily by Libat.
And Libat counters with a quick kick to the body but Sapi blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sapi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Libat to the ground. Sapi is now in Libat's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Libat controlling the position.
Libat continues to stall.

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.
Sapi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Libat has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat shoots in looking for a takedown. Sapi tries to sprawl out of it but Libat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sapi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Libat shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Libat gets caught napping as Sapi dives in and scores a takedown. Libat manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Libat controlling the position.
More hug and hope from Libat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi is stalling in the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wala Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

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