PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Risto Haeyhae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haeyhae's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Morbid Angel - Where the Slime Live. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Haeyhae
vs
Backstrom

175 cm
19
165 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
154 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry
Polar Bear

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Risto Haeyhae!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haeyhae throws out a loose jab but Backstrom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Backstrom ducks under a wild hook from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae loads up on a big right hand but Backstrom slips the punch.
Haeyhae misses with a hook. Backstrom ducked under it nicely.
Haeyhae throws a good cross that connects.
Haeyhae connects with a single shot there.
A swing and a miss from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Backstrom was well out of range. Poor timing from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae misses with a straight right.
Haeyhae throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haeyhae throws a hook but Backstrom blocks it.
A jab from Haeyhae misses.
Haeyhae attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Haeyhae misses with a hook

and Backstrom counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Haeyhae is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Backstrom trying to control but Haeyhae postures up.
Backstrom moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haeyhae controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Haeyhae slips nicely into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haeyhae stops Backstrom from getting back to his feet.
Backstrom is not content to let Haeyhae control the position.
Backstrom trying to control but Haeyhae postures up.
Haeyhae is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Haeyhae is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Backstrom doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Haeyhae.
Haeyhae looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haeyhae wants to work for an arm triangle but Backstrom is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back.
Haeyhae trying to advance position but Backstrom counters by regaining guard.
Haeyhae sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Haeyhae passes into half guard.
Haeyhae thows a huge punch but Backstrom dodges it nicely.
Backstrom is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haeyhae uses his free foot to push down on Backstrom's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Backstrom.
Haeyhae controlling the pace for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backstrom is squirming around, avoiding Haeyhae's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Haeyhae dominated that round.
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.

Backstrom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Haeyhae misses with a looping left.
Backstrom steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haeyhae.
Backstrom with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Haeyhae to score with a decent uppercut.
Niklas Backstrom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Backstrom on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Haeyhae fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Backstrom uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haeyhae.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Haeyhae.
Backstrom ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Haeyhae misses with a looping right.
Haeyhae misses with a hook. Backstrom ducked under it nicely.
Haeyhae looks to score with a jab to the body but Backstrom is just out of range.
Haeyhae looks to land a left hand but Backstrom moved out of range nicely.
A swing and a miss from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haeyhae throws an off balance right hand

and Backstrom counters with a nice double leg into side control. Haeyhae won't be happy with that.
Haeyhae is trying to get back to half guard.
Haeyhae takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Haeyhae manages to get back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backstrom wants to take a breather but Haeyhae is having none of it.
Backstrom missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Haeyhae wants to get back to full guard.
Haeyhae slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Haeyhae keeping moving, preventing Backstrom from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haeyhae working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Backstrom doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Backstrom manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Backstrom wants to pass the guard but Haeyhae is keeping the position.

Haeyhae looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Backstrom preventing the sweep.
Backstrom working some strikes from top position.
Haeyhae looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Haeyhae avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Backstrom tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Backstrom has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Backstrom is looking to take a break and control but Haeyhae is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Haeyhae sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haeyhae is trying to get back to full guard.
Backstrom lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Backstrom is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haeyhae has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Risto Haeyhae will probably get the nod.
That's time! Haeyhae's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Backstrom defending well as Haeyhae loads up on a big left hand.
Backstrom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Haeyhae.
A telegraphed right hand from Haeyhae misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backstrom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haeyhae as he jumps to the side.
Nice defenses there by Backstrom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haeyhae throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Backstrom sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Haeyhae swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Haeyhae misses its intended target.
Haeyhae throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Backstrom sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Haeyhae throws the kick towards the body but Backstrom avoids it.
Haeyhae dips to his left and cracks Backstrom with an uppercut!
Haeyhae swings widly with a right hand

and Backstrom counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to control from the top but Haeyhae keeps moving.
Backstrom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Backstrom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haeyhae is keeping the position for now.

Haeyhae throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Haeyhae keeping moving, preventing Backstrom from controlling successfully.
Backstrom lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Backstrom slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Haeyhae gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom is looking for a kimura here.
Backstrom drops an elbow to the side of Haeyhae's head.
Haeyhae is trying to get back to full guard.

Backstrom wants to work for an arm triangle but Haeyhae is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nice strikes from Backstrom there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to pass to mount but Haeyhae is defending the position.
Haeyhae is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Haeyhae is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haeyhae trying to control from the bottom.
Backstrom wants to control but Haeyhae is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Niklas Backstrom just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Haeyhae misses with a looping right.
Haeyhae is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Backstrom's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Haeyhae throws an overhand right that lands on Backstrom's shoulder, as Backstrom tries to avoid the shot.
Haeyhae throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Backstrom uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haeyhae.
Risto Haeyhae is winning the standup battle so far.
Haeyhae misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haeyhae throws out a loose jab but Backstrom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Haeyhae misses with a straight right.
A telegraphed right hand from Haeyhae misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haeyhae throws a lazy right hand but Backstrom sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Backstrom ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Backstrom uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae throws a looping overhand right but Backstrom ducks down to avoid it.
Backstrom takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Backstrom ducks under a wild hook from Haeyhae.
The crowd cheers as Haeyhae lands an impressive looking overhand right. Backstrom doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Haeyhae misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Haeyhae. Backstrom does a little dance to reset his feet.
Backstrom defending well as Haeyhae loads up on a big left hand.
Backstrom slips a jab from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A telegraphed right hand from Haeyhae misses the target.
Backstrom avoids the body shot from Haeyhae.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Backstrom.
Haeyhae misses with a straight left.
Haeyhae lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Backstrom circles away quickly and effectively.
Backstrom ducks under a wild hook from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae throws a hook but Backstrom avoids it easily.
Backstrom goes for a double leg but Haeyhae avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Haeyhae continues to drive forward.
Haeyhae tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haeyhae misses with a short punch on the inside.
Haeyhae lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Haeyhae on the inside.
Haeyhae lands with a right to the head.
Haeyhae misses with the head strike.
Haeyhae swings wildly with an uppercut but Backstrom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Haeyhae misses with a punch on the inside.
Haeyhae struggles to land a body shot inside as Backstrom controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Haeyhae had his way with Niklas Backstrom in 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. This is the final round!

Backstrom slips a straight right by Haeyhae.
Haeyhae pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haeyhae throws a right hand that misses
letting Backstrom counter with a right hand.
Backstrom avoids the head kick by Haeyhae.
Haeyhae does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haeyhae throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haeyhae throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Backstrom sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Backstrom takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haeyhae throws a sloppy head kick and Backstrom moves out of range easily.
A swing and a miss from Haeyhae.
Backstrom uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae thows a left - swing and a miss!
Haeyhae misses with an uppercut.
Backstrom doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Haeyhae counters with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haeyhae misses with a hook.
Backstrom shoots and misses
enabling Haeyhae to counter with a crisp jab.
Haeyhae throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Backstrom blocks a jab.
Haeyhae throws a jab when Backstrom was well out of range.
Haeyhae misses with a looping left.
Haeyhae connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haeyhae lands a really nice looking cross but Backstrom seems unphased.
Haeyhae misses with a straight right.
Haeyhae misses with a looping right.
Risto Haeyhae is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Backstrom uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haeyhae.
Haeyhae throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Backstrom to counter with a crisp jab.
Backstrom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Haeyhae.
A big right from Haeyhae misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haeyhae throws the left hand but Backstrom avoids the punch easily.
Haeyhae lands a really nice looking cross but Backstrom seems unphased.
Backstrom defending well as Haeyhae loads up on a big left hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Haeyhae misses the target.
Risto Haeyhae is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Haeyhae thows a left - swing and a miss!
Risto Haeyhae seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Backstrom.
Niklas Backstrom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Haeyhae misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Risto Haeyhae showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Haeyhae 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Risto Haeyhae!
Risto Haeyhae retains his lightweight title!
Risto Haeyhae was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.