PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24242 p4p, 24575 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Libat
vs
Nada

182 cm
22
160
21 - 30 - 0

182 cm
22
160
21 - 30 - 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 21 - 30 - 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 - 30 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

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 with a lovely double leg takedown. Nada manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Libat sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nada is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Nada bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Libat's guard.

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.
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.
Libat wants to sweep here but Nada controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada controlling from the top position.

That's two 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 working a defensive guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Libat has Nada pulled in close to control his posture.

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

Nada drives through with a takedown into Libat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat controlling the position.

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.
Nada is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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 Way Nada will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nada fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nada changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Libat tries to avoid it but Nada manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Libat to the ground. Libat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Libat fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Libat pinned against the cage. Libat gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
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 shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nada pinned against the cage. Nada gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nada replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Libat blocks it well.
Nada dives in and grabs Libat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Libat pushes down on Nada's head and hops out.

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.
Nada looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Libat is fending him off so far but Nada persists. Nope, Libat circles away and we're back to standing.
Libat throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nada avoids it.
Libat shoots in looking for a takedown. Nada tries to sprawl out of it but Libat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nada manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nada will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Libat throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nada avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Libat feints and as Nada raises his hands in defense, Libat changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nada pulls Libat in close to prevent any damage.
Libat passes into half guard.
Nada wants to control but Libat is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat working Nada over with strikes.
Nada wants to get back to full guard.
Libat slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Nada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nada manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Libat on his heels. He'll look to pass Libat's guard now, I'm sure.
Libat throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Libat is pulling down on Nada's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nada trying to stand up but can't free himself from Libat's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters 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.

Libat darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Libat sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nada controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada is looking to improve his position.
Libat trying to control the pace.
Nada is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Libat perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nada counters with a nice body shot.
Nada stuffs the takedown attempt from Libat. Libat gets slowly back to his feet.
Nada steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

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