PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23587 p4p, 23857 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Libat
vs
Nada

182 cm
25
160
36 - 53 - 4

182 cm
25
160
45 - 47 - 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 36 - 53 - 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 45 - 47 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Daniel Franklin 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.
Nada misses with a takedown attempt
and Libat counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Nada fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Libat sprawls well initially but Nada persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Libat is looking to control Nada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Libat avoid being mounted?
Nada looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat is holding on to half guard well.
Nada takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat wants to control but Nada is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nada slows the pace down in half guard.
Libat is looking to control Nada's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Libat avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nada shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libat controlling the position for now.
Libat is looking to improve his position.
Nada is taking a breather. Libat says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Nada might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Libat is trying to maintain the position but Nada is very close to passing his half guard.
Libat holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Libat is looking to improve his position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Libat with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nada counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Libat is trying is best to control the position here.
Nada throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat keeping hold of Nada's head, controlling as best he can.
Libat tries to roll over but Nada keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Way Nada dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Libat shoots in but Nada avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nada looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Libat gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nada counters with a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada shoots in and drives through. Libat sprawls well.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nada wants it to stay on the feet.
And Nada responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nada manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Libat on his heels. He'll look to pass Libat's guard now, I'm sure.
Libat pulls Nada in close to prevent any damage.
Libat looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nada not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Libat is trying to keep Nada in close.
Libat pulls Nada in close to prevent any damage.
Nada controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Libat shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nada sprawls well. Nada wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Libat gets slowly back to his feet.
Nada replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Libat blocks it well.

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.
Nada stuffs the takedown attempt from Libat. Libat gets slowly back to his feet.
And Nada responds with a good body kick, but Libat manages to step out the way in time.
Nada fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Libat looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Nada!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Way Nada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice body kick from Libat.

Nada shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nada showed some decent athleticism there.

Nada is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat is not content to let Nada control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada controlling the pace.
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.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Libat tries to get to full guard but Nada has control of the leg.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Libat lands a high kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nada closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Libat wants to control the action here but instead Nada manages to pass to full mount!
Libat wants to hold on but Nada pushes him away.
Nada throws some wild stikes that Libat manages to avoid easily.
Libat gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nada looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Nada landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Way Nada is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nada looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Libat with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nada throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Way Nada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nada winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Way Nada!