PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23996 p4p, 24476 weight class) and Walay Buut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Higanti Libat has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Libat
vs
Buut

182 cm
19
160
10 - 13 - 0

182 cm
19
160
10 - 12 - 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 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Higanti Libat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Walay Buut!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith 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.
Buut shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Libat counters with a series of strikes. Buut will be more careful next time no doubt.
Buut fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Libat thinks about countering with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buut will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Libat swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Higanti Libat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Walay Buut.
Libat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Buut. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat fails to land the takedown.
Buut follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Libat.
Buut thinks about the counter body kick.
Libat dives in for a single leg takedown but Buut sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Buut steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Libat stops a takedown attempt from Buut.

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.
Libat gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Buut.

Buut breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Buut is looking to land body kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat shoots in looking for a takedown. Buut tries to sprawl out of it but Libat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Buut manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Libat is trying hard to land a takedown here. Buut sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Buut gets the takedown into side control.
Libat being controlled for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat has one of Buut's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Buut trying to control the position but Libat is working away.
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 time! Libat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Buut scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Buut slows the pace down.
Libat wants to control but Buut postures up.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat can't do much from the bottom here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Libat controls the position for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Buut.
Libat jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

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 really sloppy takedown attempt there from Buut.
And Libat counters with a quick kick to the body but Buut blocks it.

Libat fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Buut to the ground. Libat is now in Buut's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat stands up over Buut, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Libat is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Libat wants to control from the top but Buut keeps moving.

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. Buut swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Libat controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Higanti Libat dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Buut tries a head kick but it misses.
Libat darts in looking for a takedown but Buut gets double underhooks and turns Libat into the cage.
Libat has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Buut avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Buut changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Libat fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Buut as Libat shoots in.
Buut steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Higanti Libat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Libat dives in for a single leg takedown but Buut sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Libat is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Buut can't fight it off and eventually Libat manages to take the fight to the floor. Buut looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Buut wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Let's hope that Buut has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Libat is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buut 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Buut is trying to control the position but Libat postures up.
Buut seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Buut.
Libat appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Libat tries for a takedown but Buut circles away easily
and Buut counters with a solid body kick.

Buut closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Walay Buut 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.
Libat is trying to control Buut's posture but Buut avoids it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walay Buut comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Libat 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

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