PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Higanti Libat (ranked 23642 p4p, 23936 weight class) and Walay Buut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Libat
vs
Buut

182 cm
26
160
41 - 55 - 4

182 cm
26
160
52 - 45 - 4

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 - 55 - 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 52 - 45 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Walay Buut!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson 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.

Libat closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Buut quickly recovers to half guard.
Buut wants to control but Libat is keeping busy.
Libat keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Libat seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Buut for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buut trying to control but Libat postures up.
Libat lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libat seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Libat shoots in but no luck this time.
Buut raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Buut dives in and grabs Libat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Libat pushes down on Buut's head and hops out.
Libat quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Libat shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Buut counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Buut.
Libat is wriggling around but Buut manages to pass to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Buut not doing much here.
Libat trying to hold on to Buut's head to control him 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.
Libat has his hands clasped together around Buut's back. He's all about the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buut keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Libat controlling the position well.
Libat is trying to control but Buut manages to pass to mount!

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.
Buut controlling the position easily from mount.
Buut raining down shots from the mount!
Libat tries to hold on but Buut pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Libat is trying to escape the mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Walay Buut 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 shoots in for a takedown but Libat shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Libat throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Buut's waist but Buut gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Libat off to one side.
Buut is trying to counter with his kicks.
Libat is trying hard to land a takedown here. Buut sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Buut was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

Buut closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
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.
Well, if Buut is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The fighters are battling for position here. Libat manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buut slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Buut is looking to work some ground and pound but Libat has wrist control.
Walay Buut has got the better of the ground game so far.
Libat wants to control but Buut passes easily into half guard.
Libat wants to control but Buut is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Libat is looking to improve his position.
Still in half guard, Buut seems content to control.
Libat trying to control but Buut postures up.

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

Buut feints and as Libat raises his hands in defense, Buut changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libat is pulling down on Buut's head to control his posture.
Buut is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Libat controlling the position.

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.
Buut working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Libat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Buut controls the pace.
Libat is controlling Buut's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Walay Buut showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Buut is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Libat's half guard.
Libat throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Libat wants to control but Buut is keeping busy.
Buut with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buut has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Libat is trying to maintain the position but Buut is very close to passing his half guard.
Buut trying to control the pace.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Libat controlling the position for now.

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

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.
Buut has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Buut fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Libat shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Buut flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Buut is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libat seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Buut does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Buut is trying to control but can't.
Higanti Libat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Walay Buut 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!

Libat is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Buut doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Libat.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Higanti Libat showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Buut 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walay Buut!