PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruno Serafin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Niklas Backstrom could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bruno Serafin's chin.

Backstrom
vs
Serafin

183 cm
23
162 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

193 cm
23
162 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Serafin!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

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.

Serafin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Serafin keeping moving, preventing Backstrom from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backstrom throws a strike but Serafin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Backstrom has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Serafin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Backstrom is looking for a triangle but Serafin pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serafin stopping the sweep attempt from Backstrom.
Backstrom looking to control but Serafin passes into half guard.
Backstrom trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Serafin manages to pass to mount!
Backstrom tries to hold on but Serafin pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Backstrom has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Serafin is working away from the top position though.

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Serafin tries to stand but can't do so whilst Backstrom controls his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom trying to control but Serafin postures up.
Backstrom misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to improve his position but Serafin is controlling well.
Backstrom has a hand on Serafin's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Serafin takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Backstrom tries to hold on but Serafin postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom 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.

Serafin throws a left and a right that both miss

and Backstrom counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Serafin!

Backstrom is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Serafin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Serafin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Backstrom off and has taken his back!
Backstrom looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Serafin is looking to stand but he's in a difficult position to do so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serafin is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Backstrom trying to control the position but Serafin manages to sink in the hooks.
Backstrom is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Serafin is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Backstrom tries to escape but Serafin has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom is working hard here to advance position.
Serafin not allowing Backstrom to control his hands.
Backstrom wants to escape the position.

Serafin decides to get back to his feet. A strange decision but one that the crowd certainly appreciate.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serafin wants to clinch but Backstrom slips to the side

and Backstrom counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Backstrom.
Serafin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Backstrom has hold of one of Serafin's legs. Serafin is fighting the takedown attempt but Backstrom gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Backstrom controlling from the top position.
Serafin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Serafin is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom stopping the sweep attempt from Serafin.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Backstrom accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backstrom throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Serafin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Backstrom throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Serafin was covering up waiting for the punch and Backstrom finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Backstrom slips nicely into half guard.
Backstrom is trying to control the action in half guard but Serafin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Backstrom seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backstrom is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Serafin defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Serafin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Backstrom drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Serafin manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Backstrom has Serafin in his guard.

Backstrom working for submissions but it's allowed Serafin to get to half guard.

Serafin decides to stand up.
Niklas Backstrom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom gets a takedown into half guard.

Serafin is defending against the submission attempts here by Backstrom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Serafin is doing well to control the position and prevent Backstrom from advancing to side control.
Backstrom is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Serafin throws a body punch but Backstrom moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backstrom slips a jab and a cross from Serafin.
Serafin closes the distance but Backstrom moves to the side

so Backstrom counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serafin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Backstrom is one step ahead there.
Backstrom wants to pass the guard but Serafin is keeping the position.
Backstrom trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Serafin keeping moving, preventing Backstrom from controlling successfully.
Serafin can't keep his opponent in guard - Backstrom advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Serafin is trying to get back to full guard.
Backstrom working over Serafin with some ground and pound. Serafin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Serafin is defending against the submission attempts here by Backstrom.

Backstrom seems to be working for a kimura but Serafin defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Backstrom is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Serafin wants to control but Backstrom is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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.

Backstrom is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Serafin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Backstrom performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Backstrom thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom had his way with Bruno Serafin in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A big left from Serafin misses.
Serafin tries to clinch

and Backstrom counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Backstrom stalling away here and it's allowed Serafin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Backstrom trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Serafin manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Backstrom wants to control but Serafin passes easily into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serafin tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Backstrom has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Serafin is working away from the top position though.
Backstrom slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Serafin passes into half guard.

Backstrom looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Serafin pushes past his half guard into mount!
Backstrom really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serafin wants to get back to his feet but Backstrom is holding on tight.
Backstrom wants to hold on but Serafin pushes him away.
Backstrom is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Backstrom tries to hold on but Serafin postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serafin looking to control but Backstrom is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Serafin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Serafin moves in looking to clinch but Backstrom pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niklas Backstrom showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Backstrom, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 50:45
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:45
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niklas Backstrom!
Niklas Backstrom retains his lightweight title!