PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tom Hammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hammer
vs
Backstrom

165 cm
28
157 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

183 cm
26
154 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight 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 Los Angeles, Tom Hammer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 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!

Hammer closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Backstrom did well to prevent Hammer getting side control.
Backstrom is trying to get back to full guard.
Backstrom is staying active underneath Hammer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Backstrom is pressing down on Hammer's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Backstrom working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hammer doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hammer manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Backstrom trying to control the position.
Backstrom looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammer has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hammer forces his way into half guard.

Backstrom looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hammer is keen to just control but Backstrom is a slippery customer.
Hammer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Backstrom is defending against the submission attempts here by Hammer.
Hammer wants to take a breather but Backstrom is having none of it.
Backstrom wants to get back to full guard.
Backstrom slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hammer won't allow Backstrom to sweep him here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backstrom is adopting a defensive guard.
Hammer advances to half guard.
Hammer trying to control from half guard but Backstrom is working away.
Hammer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Hammer is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Backstrom sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammer trying to control from half guard but Backstrom is working away.
Backstrom tries to kick Hammer off but Hammer keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Backstrom wants to improve his position but Hammer is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Hammer. Oh but Backstrom has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Hammer goes limp - he's gone! Backstrom jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Niklas Backstrom!
Niklas Backstrom is the new featherweight champion!