PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23574 p4p, 23838 weight class) and Way Nada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Libat
vs
Nada

182 cm
26
160
41 - 56 - 4

182 cm
26
160
48 - 52 - 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 41 - 56 - 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 48 - 52 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Way Nada!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

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 looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nada's waist but Nada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Libat off to one side.
Libat leaves Nada 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.
Libat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nada.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat shoots in and drives through. Nada sprawls well.
Nada feints a counter leg kick.

Nada 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. Nada is in Libat's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Libat seems keen to control Nada's posture.
Nada is looking to stand up but Libat won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat trying to keep a closed guard but Nada is proving a slippery customer.

That's two 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 pulls Nada in to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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

Libat shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Libat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nada works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nada is controlling Libat's posture.
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 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 stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nada swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Libat not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nada shoots in for a double leg but Libat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Libat swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Libat or perhaps it was just good defense by Nada, which made it look bad.
Nada follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Higanti Libat will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nada fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Nada fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Libat to the ground. Nada is now in Libat's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nada not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nada preventing the sweep.
Libat is trying to keep Nada in close.
Nada controlling from the top position.
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.
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.
Libat is pulling down on Nada's head to control his posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nada 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 Nada off to one side.
Libat appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Libat takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Libat.
As Libat backs off Nada throws a huge counter combo but Libat manages to avoid it all.
Libat keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Libat throws a big counter combination but Nada scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Way Nada.

Nada changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Libat looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat tries to improve position but can't.
Nada wants to lay and pray for a moment but Libat keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat struggling a bit here.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Nada. No joy for Libat on that attempt.
Libat doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nada counters with a body kick.
Libat goes for a double leg but Nada avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nada continues to drive forward.
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.

Nada successfully pulls guard.
Nada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nada looking for a sweep. Not yet Nada, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nada pulls Libat in close to his closed guard and prevents Libat from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nada wants to get back to his feet but Libat is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Way Nada has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nada is controlling Libat's posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Libat controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nada shoots for a takedown but Libat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Libat went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nada shoots in for a double leg but Libat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nada misses with a takedown attempt - Libat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nada shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nada stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nada wants it to stay on the feet.
Nada tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Libat swivels and escapes.

Nada darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Libat desperately trying to maintain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Way Nada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nada has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

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