PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cesys Kazlauskas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Niklas Backstrom has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Backstrom
vs
Kazlauskas

183 cm
23
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
163 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Purple 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cesys Kazlauskas!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazlauskas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kazlauskas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kazlauskas trying to control but Backstrom is working from the bottom.
Kazlauskas looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kazlauskas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kazlauskas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Backstrom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kazlauskas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kazlauskas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Backstrom had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kazlauskas defends it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazlauskas sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kazlauskas trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kazlauskas tries to free his leg and advance position but Backstrom is retaining full guard.

Backstrom is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kazlauskas is aware though and is defending well.
Kazlauskas won't allow Backstrom to sweep him here.
Kazlauskas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazlauskas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kazlauskas trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kazlauskas lands a couple of digs.
Backstrom utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kazlauskas throwing strikes from guard but Backstrom blocks nicely.
Kazlauskas trying to control but Backstrom is working from the bottom.
Kazlauskas pushing down on Backstrom's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Backstrom wants to control but Kazlauskas is keeping busy.

Backstrom is defending against the submission attempts here by Kazlauskas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kazlauskas seems to be working for a kimura but Backstrom defends the submission attempt.
Kazlauskas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Backstrom defending well though.
Kazlauskas is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Kazlauskas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Backstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Backstrom is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kazlauskas defends well.
Backstrom is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazlauskas wants to control from the top but Backstrom keeps moving.
Backstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Backstrom keeping moving, preventing Kazlauskas from controlling successfully.
Backstrom keeping full guard, as Kazlauskas tries to pass.
Backstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kazlauskas is looking to work some ground and pound but Backstrom has wrist control.
Backstrom can't keep his opponent in guard - Kazlauskas advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kazlauskas lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazlauskas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kazlauskas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kazlauskas prevents Backstrom from standing back up.
Kazlauskas passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Backstrom!

Kazlauskas goes for an armbar but Backstrom turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Backstrom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazlauskas controls Backstrom momentarily but Backstrom frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cesys Kazlauskas dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kazlauskas throws a body punch but Backstrom moves out of range.

Kazlauskas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kazlauskas showed some decent athleticism there.
Backstrom keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Backstrom missing with punches from the bottom.

Kazlauskas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Backstrom has managed to free his arm - good work.
Backstrom controlling the position well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kazlauskas wants to work for an arm triangle but Backstrom is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kazlauskas throwing shots but Backstrom is blocking nicely.
Backstrom is trying to control but can't.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back.
Cesys Kazlauskas has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kazlauskas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kazlauskas is looking for a kimura here.
Backstrom trying to hold on to Kazlauskas's head to control him but Kazlauskas postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazlauskas is trying to work for a kimura but Backstrom is defending well.

Kazlauskas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kazlauskas is breathing heavily.

Backstrom actively working from the bottom here.

Kazlauskas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Backstrom trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kazlauskas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kazlauskas works his way into side control.
Backstrom is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kazlauskas off and has taken his back!
I really don't envy Kazlauskas right now.

Backstrom working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Kazlauskas is doing well to defend. Backstrom seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Kazlauskas is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Niklas Backstrom!