PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23708 p4p, 23972 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
23
160
26 - 39 - 1

182 cm
23
160
29 - 34 - 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 26 - 39 - 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 29 - 34 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar 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.

Sapi drives through with a takedown into Libat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Libat pulls Sapi in to control the position.
Sapi won't allow Libat to sweep him here.
Sapi being controlled here momentarily.
Sapi stays in close to Libat's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Let's hope that Sapi 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.
Libat has his hands on Sapi's head, controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Libat gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat is looking to take a break and control but Sapi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sapi is looking for a sweep.
Libat controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi wants to control but Libat postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is trying to improve his position.
Libat throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sapi works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Libat with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

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

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.
Sapi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Libat counters with a body kick that stops Sapi in his tracks momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat scores with a takedown into Sapi's guard.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Libat leaves Sapi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Libat seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Libat shoots in but Sapi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sapi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Libat quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat is looking to control Sapi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Libat avoid being mounted?
Sapi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sapi stalling.
Sapi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Libat wants to get back to full guard.
Wala Sapi has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sapi in particular looking to stall.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sapi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sapi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sapi controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat trying to control from the bottom.
Libat avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sapi.
Sapi controlling the action here.

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.
Libat preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sapi is controlling the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sapi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Libat napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Libat's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sapi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Libat is trying to control Sapi's posture but Sapi avoids it.
Sapi in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's two 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.
Libat throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Libat looks for a takedown but Sapi sprawls well.
Sapi counters with a body kick.
Sapi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Libat swivels and escapes.

Libat shoots in and bounces Sapi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sapi has control of Libat's left arm, preventing Libat from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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.
Libat wants to control from the top but Sapi keeps moving.
Sapi pulls Libat in close to his closed guard and prevents Libat from doing any damage or advancing position.
Libat controlling from the top position.

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 28:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

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