PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 24011 p4p, 24323 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higanti Libat has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Libat
vs
Nada

182 cm
22
160
22 - 33 - 0

182 cm
22
160
23 - 32 - 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 22 - 33 - 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 23 - 32 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass 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.
Nada fails with the takedown
and Libat counters with a nice body kick.
Nada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Libat counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nada is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Libat as he avoids it easily.
Libat half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.

Nada scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Libat wants to control but Nada postures up.
Nada in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Libat wants to control but Nada postures up.
Libat trying to remain calm as Nada controls from the top position.
Libat is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat can't do much from the bottom here.
Libat is being controlled here.

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

Libat darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nada avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Libat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada tries to get to full guard but Libat has control of the leg.
Nada controlling the position for now.
Nada is trying to control but can't.

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 performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nada is looking to improve his position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Libat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nada as he jumps to the side.
Nada replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Libat blocks it well.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

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 lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nada looks for a takedown but Libat sprawls well.
Libat thinks about countering with a body kick.
Nada blocks the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada shoots in but Libat avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Libat thinks about countering with a head kick.
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 for a takedown from distance. He catches Nada napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Nada throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nada is defended easily by Libat.
Libat appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nada defends well and Libat ends up having to push Nada into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And Nada responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
Libat changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nada fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Nada gets the takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Libat struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nada wants to lay and pray for a moment but Libat keeps working.
Nada takes a little break here. Libat wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

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 struggling a bit here.
Libat is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Nada controlling the position.

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

Way Nada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Libat doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nada counters with a shoot takedown. Libat fights it but they end up in guard.
Nada looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Libat has his hands on Nada's head, controlling the position.
Nada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Libat working a defensive guard here.
Libat is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Nada is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Nada is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nada throws a big right hand that misses.

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

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 feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Libat wants to control from the top but Nada keeps moving.
Nada looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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 controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada is pulling down on Libat's head to control his posture.
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 claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

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 showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

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

and Nada counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Libat!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nada in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Nada tries to score with some ground and pound. Libat controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

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