PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Minatay Mibangon (ranked 23909 p4p, 23862 weight class) and Wala Sapi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Mibangon
vs
Sapi

182 cm
26
160
36 - 53 - 9

182 cm
26
160
45 - 46 - 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 36 - 53 - 9, fighting out of Las Vegas, Minatay Mibangon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 46 - 8, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wala Sapi!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

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.
Mibangon closes the distance and clinches up with Sapi, looking for a takedown. Mibangon pushes Sapi against the cage but Sapi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sapi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Mibangon shoots for a takedown but Sapi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sapi or perhaps it was just good defense by Mibangon, which made it look bad.
And Mibangon counters with a quick kick to the body but Sapi blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mibangon shoots in looking for a takedown but Sapi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mibangon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Minatay Mibangon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sapi shoots in for a takedown but Mibangon shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sapi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mibangon tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sapi is in Mibangon's guard.
Mibangon trying to control the position.
Mibangon managing to control the position.
Sapi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Mibangon working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sapi has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mibangon holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sapi is controlling the pace.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mibangon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sapi tries to avoid it but Mibangon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sapi to the ground. Sapi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sapi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

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.
Mibangon is wriggling around but Sapi manages to pass to half guard.

Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sapi in particular looking to stall.
Sapi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mibangon wants to control but Sapi is keeping busy.
Sapi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mibangon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wala Sapi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sapi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mibangon was covering up waiting for the punch and Sapi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sapi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mibangon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sapi controlling from the top position.
Mibangon wants to sweep here but Sapi controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sapi controlling from the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mibangon 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.

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi has his hands on Mibangon's head, controlling the position.
Mibangon controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sapi pulls Mibangon in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mibangon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Mibangon wants to pass the guard but Sapi is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Minatay Mibangon will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mibangon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mibangon shoots in but Sapi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A nice side step and Sapi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Mibangon scores with a takedown into Sapi's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mibangon trying to control the position from guard on top but Sapi is wriggling around, looking for whatever 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 one minute gone in the round.
Sapi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sapi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mibangon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mibangon slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mibangon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sapi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Mibangon blocks it well.
Mibangon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Minatay Mibangon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sapi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mibangon circles away.
Mibangon shoots and misses
and Sapi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mibangon really felt that one!
Nice takedown defense from Sapi. No joy for Mibangon on that attempt.
And Sapi tries to counter it with a takedown but Mibangon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mibangon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sapi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mibangon somewhat.
Sapi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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 tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mibangon swivels and escapes.
Sapi tries for a takedown but Mibangon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mibangon avoids a kick to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mibangon shoots and misses
and Sapi counters with a leg kick.

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 Minatay Mibangon.
I think Mibangon has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Minatay Mibangon!