PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23307 p4p, 23589 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higanti Libat had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Libat
vs
Nada

182 cm
24
160
28 - 44 - 3

182 cm
24
160
33 - 41 - 2

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 28 - 44 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 41 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Wesley Smith.

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 tries to land a body kick
and Nada makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Libat really felt that one!
Libat dives in and grabs Nada's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nada pushes down on Libat's head and hops out.
And Nada responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
Libat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Libat throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nada avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nada.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Libat closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nada quickly recovers to half guard.
Nada tries to get to full guard but Libat has control of the leg.
Libat controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nada defending well though.
Nada is trying to control but can't.
Libat controlling the pace.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada tries to score a power double leg takedown but Libat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nada somewhat.
Libat throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nada avoids it.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.
Nada shoots in for a takedown but Libat shows good takedown defense.

Libat shoots in and gets a takedown into Nada's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat 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.
Nada is trying to keep Libat in close.
Libat is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Libat accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Horrible takedown attempt by Nada or perhaps it was just good defense by Libat, which made it look bad.

Libat gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada wants to control but Libat is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat slows the pace down in half guard.
Libat is thwarting Nada's attempts to control the position.
Nada keeping hold of Libat's head, controlling as best he can.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nada trying to control but Libat postures up.
Libat is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Libat is working away from the top position though.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nada shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Libat trying to hold on to Nada's head to control him but Nada postures up.
Libat has his hands clasped together around Nada's back. He's all about the action.
Libat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nada can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat is trying to maintain the position but Nada is very close to passing his half guard.
Well, if Nada is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat is doing well to control the position and prevent Nada from advancing to side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Libat shoots in and gets a takedown into Nada's guard.
Nada controls Libat momentarily but Libat frees himself.
Nada pulls Libat in to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nada is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nada pulls Libat in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

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.

Nada 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 working a defensive guard but Nada passes into half guard.
Nada looks to land a strike but Libat avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nada wants to control from the top but Libat keeps moving.
Nada sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Libat is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Libat shoots and misses
and Nada makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Libat really felt that one!
Nada has his takedown stuffed
and Libat counters with a body kick.
Way Nada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higanti Libat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nada misses with a takedown attempt
and Libat counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Nada is lucky that one didn't land flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Higanti Libat.
Well Libat has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Higanti Libat!