PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ross Peerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Peerson has chosen Good Feeling as his entrance music. Ross Peerson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Backstrom
vs
Peerson

183 cm
26
154 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

170 cm
27
150 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ross Peerson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Peerson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Backstrom counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Backstrom.
Backstrom tries to free his leg and advance position but Peerson is retaining full guard.
Backstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Peerson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backstrom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Peerson is keeping the position for now.
Backstrom passes into half guard.
Peerson keeping control of the position.

Backstrom is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to free his trapped foot but Peerson is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Backstrom looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Peerson wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Backstrom wants to control but Peerson is keeping him busy.
Backstrom controlling the action here.
Peerson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Peerson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Backstrom is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Peerson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Backstrom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Backstrom winds up and cracks Peerson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom content to control rather than advance.
Backstrom is trying to control the action in half guard but Peerson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Backstrom is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Peerson is trying to stand back up but Backstrom is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom 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.

Peerson throws a leg kick but Backstrom sees it coming and moves out of range.
Peerson throws a right and a left that Backstrom avoids nicely.
Backstrom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Peerson tries to bum rush Backstrom with a series of wild strikes but Backstrom uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Peerson fails with a takedown attempt.
Peerson throws the kick towards the body but Backstrom avoids it.
Backstrom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Peerson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Backstrom is out of range and Peerson settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peerson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Backstrom counters with a left and a right that stings Peerson.
Peerson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Backstrom counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Backstrom.
Backstrom looking to sit in guard and control but Peerson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Peerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backstrom is trying to keep Peerson in close.

Backstrom had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Peerson defends it easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Peerson landing with the ground and pound.

Backstrom has his foot on Peerson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Peerson works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Backstrom is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Peerson is aware though and is defending well.

Peerson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Backstrom has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Peerson has managed to get both his arms back between Backstrom's legs - danger averted.
Peerson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Backstrom not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Peerson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Backstrom, up you get!
Peerson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Backstrom circles away quickly and effectively.
Peerson misses with a double jab
and Backstrom counters with a series of strikes. Peerson will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peerson throws a series of punches but Backstrom avoids them all with ease.
Peerson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Backstrom counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Peerson!
Backstrom moves into full mount!
Peerson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Backstrom. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Backstrom moves to the back position.

Peerson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backstrom not allowing Peerson to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peerson tries to break free.

Backstrom looking to break Peerson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Peerson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Backstrom will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Backstrom is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Backstrom patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Backstrom is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Peerson up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Backstrom changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Peerson tries to avoid it but Backstrom manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Peerson to the ground. Peerson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Peerson moves into the clinch.
Peerson stalling against the cage.
Backstrom is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Peerson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Peerson breaks from the clinch.
Peerson misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Peerson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Peerson instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backstrom jumps guard but Peerson stands there with Backstrom around his waist. Backstrom gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niklas Backstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Peerson breaks from the clinch.
Peerson lands a nice hook to Backstrom's body. Backstrom takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A combination from Peerson does no damage.
Backstrom avoids the body shot from Peerson.
Peerson throws a series of punches but Backstrom avoids them all with ease.
Peerson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Peerson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ross Peerson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Peerson tries to bum rush Backstrom with a series of wild strikes but Backstrom uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Peerson misses with a combination

and Backstrom counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Backstrom throwing strikes from guard but Peerson blocks nicely.
Backstrom controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Peerson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to pass the guard but Peerson is keeping the position.
Backstrom passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Peerson stops Backstrom from passing to mount.

Backstrom is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Peerson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Backstrom wants to control for a moment but Peerson uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peerson wants to control but Backstrom is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Backstrom seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Peerson has recovered full guard.
Niklas Backstrom overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Peerson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ross Peerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Niklas Backstrom is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Backstrom is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Peerson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Peerson has escaped and now he's on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ross Peerson.
I think Backstrom 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niklas Backstrom!