PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23561 p4p, 23824 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
23
160
26 - 42 - 2

182 cm
23
160
32 - 34 - 5

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 - 42 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 34 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, 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 fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sapi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Libat throws a big counter combination but Sapi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sapi counters with a body kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Sapi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Libat was covering up waiting for the punch and Sapi finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sapi controls the pace.
Libat has control of Sapi's left arm, preventing Sapi from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sapi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat looking for a sweep. Not yet Libat, not yet.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to prevent any damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Libat throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Libat has his takedown stuffed
and Sapi counters with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sapi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Libat tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sapi is in Libat's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sapi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Libat trying to keep a closed guard but Sapi is proving a slippery customer.
Sapi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat wants to control but Sapi passes easily into half guard.
Sapi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sapi is thwarting Libat's attempts to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Libat with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sapi counters with a head kick.
Sapi stuffs the takedown attempt from Libat. Libat gets slowly back to his feet.
Libat doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sapi counters with a three punch combo that has Libat backing up. Libat nods at Sapi to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat leaves Sapi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It appears Libat was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Libat gets caught flat footed, as Sapi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Libat managing to control the position.
Sapi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat pulls Sapi in to control the position.

Libat escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sapi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sapi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

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

Sapi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Libat's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Libat pulls Sapi in close to prevent any damage.
Sapi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
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! 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.

Sapi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Libat half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sapi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
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.
Libat is looking for a counter combo.
Libat shoots in but Sapi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And Sapi responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat with a poor takedown
and Sapi counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi misses with a takedown attempt - Libat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It appears Libat was looking to counter with a kick there.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.
Libat fails with a takedown attempt.
Sapi tries for a takedown but Libat sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

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.

Sapi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Libat napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Libat wants to control but Sapi postures up.
Sapi wants to control but Libat is keeping him busy.
Libat holding on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat continues to stall.
Sapi trying to control the action but Libat is working from the bottom.

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.
Sapi working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sapi goes for a double leg but Libat avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Libat continues to drive forward.
Wala Sapi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Libat slaps away a takedown attempt from Sapi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Libat is looking to counter with a body kick.

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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

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