PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23594 p4p, 23828 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Libat
vs
Sapi

182 cm
25
160
35 - 51 - 4

182 cm
25
160
42 - 41 - 8

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 35 - 51 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 41 - 8, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

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 throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sapi counters with a solid body kick.
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.

Libat dives in and scores a takedown into Sapi's guard.
Sapi pulls Libat in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat trying to control the position from guard on top but Sapi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat stays in close to Sapi's body and controls the position.
Sapi trying to control the position here.
Libat is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sapi holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sapi defends well and Libat ends up having to push Sapi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Libat moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSapi.

Libat has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Sapi clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Sapi is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Libat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi tries to roll but Libat sticks to his back.
Sapi just trying to survive but Libat is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Libat controlling the position well here. Sapi rolled but Libat kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Sapi is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sapi trying to control the action but Libat just sinks the hooks in.
Libat keeps control of the position as Sapi tries to break free.
Libat has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Sapi.
I would not like to be Sapi right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat is not going to allow Sapi to sit and survive in this position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

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.
Libat dives in and grabs Sapi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sapi pushes down on Libat's head and hops out.
Sapi looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Libat shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Libat showed some decent athleticism there.
Libat is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapi is positioning himself well to prevent Libat advancing to mount.

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.
Libat takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sapi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Libat seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sapi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sapi is positioning himself well to prevent Libat advancing to mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sapi scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Libat gets a double leg takedown into Sapi's guard.

Sapi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sapi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sapi trying to control but Libat is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sapi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sapi 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 is trying to keep Sapi in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapi controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat trying to control the position.
Libat tries to strike from the bottom.
Sapi throwing strikes from guard but Libat blocks nicely.
Sapi preventing the sweep.

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 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 decides to stand the fighters back up.
Libat tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sapi swivels and escapes.
Sapi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Sapi shoots in but no luck this time.
Libat thinks about countering with a body kick.
Sapi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Libat's waist but Libat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sapi off to one side.
Sapi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Libat counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wala Sapi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sapi.
Sapi shoots for a takedown but Libat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
It appears Libat was looking to counter with a kick there.
Libat fails with a rather predictable 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.

Libat looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Libat seems to be working for a kimura but Sapi defends the submission attempt.
Wala Sapi 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!
Sapi is looking to control Libat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sapi avoid being mounted?

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 I reckon that's a shut out for Libat, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:28

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