PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23832 p4p, 24110 weight class) and Wala Sapi (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
Sapi

182 cm
22
160
23 - 36 - 1

182 cm
22
160
27 - 30 - 4

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 23 - 36 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 30 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

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 gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sapi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Libat is controlling Sapi's posture.
Sapi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Libat looking to control but Sapi passes into half guard.
Libat tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sapi in particular looking to stall.

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.
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 throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Sapi counters with a shoot takedown. Libat fights it but they end up in guard.
Libat pulls Sapi in to control the position.
Sapi tries to free his leg and advance position but Libat is retaining full guard.
Libat not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Libat throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Libat is pulling down on Sapi's head. It's preventing any offense from Sapi, at least for the moment.
Libat's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Libat is looking for a counter combo.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Libat fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

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.
Horrible takedown attempt by Libat or perhaps it was just good defense by Sapi, which made it look bad.
Sapi is trying to counter with his kicks.

Libat darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi dominated that 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.

Libat changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sapi tries to avoid it but Libat manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sapi to the ground. Sapi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

Sapi drives through with a takedown into Libat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
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 preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Libat is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Libat working a defensive guard but Sapi passes into half guard.
Libat trying to hold on to Sapi's head to control him but Sapi postures up.
Sapi content to control rather than advance.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sapi gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Sapi politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Sapi prefers to stall for the moment though.
You can see the frustration on Libat's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Libat seems a little lost for a moment, as Sapi dominates the positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking for a sweep.
A lull in the action here.
Wala Sapi has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

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

That's four 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 fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sapi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Sapi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sapi seems keen to control Libat's posture.
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 minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sapi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sapi wants it to stay on the feet.
Libat closes the distance and clinches up with Sapi, looking for a takedown. Libat pushes Sapi against the cage but Sapi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And Sapi responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.

Libat drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sapi wants to control but Libat postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi is letting Libat control him for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat working away.
Sapi controls the position for a moment.
Sapi struggling a bit here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat wants to stand but Sapi has his arm trapped.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sapi moves out of range as Libat throws a body kick.
Sapi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Sapi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Libat on his heels. He'll look to pass Libat's guard now, I'm sure.
Sapi controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat seems keen to control Sapi's posture.
Sapi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sapi is continuing to stall.

That's four 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 wants to sweep here but Sapi controlling him for the moment.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wala Sapi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sapi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Libat is in Sapi's guard.
Sapi is wriggling around but Libat manages to pass to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wala Sapi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sapi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

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