PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Chandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Chandler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Backstrom
vs
Chandler

183 cm
23
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
162 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 - 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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Chandler!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Chandler.

Chandler gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Backstrom is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back.
Backstrom trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler 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.
Chandler is trying to control. Backstrom wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Backstrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Chandler controlling the action here.
Backstrom is looking to improve his position.
Chandler is looking to take a break and control but Backstrom is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chandler seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chandler is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Chandler is stalling here. Backstrom is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Chandler seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Backstrom has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Backstrom is trying to get an arm triangle but Chandler is defending well.
Chandler is not content to let Backstrom control the position.

Backstrom looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Chandler can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Chandler is trying to improve his position.
Chandler manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is looking to improve his position.

Backstrom seems to be looking for submissions.
Chandler is looking to control Backstrom's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Chandler avoid being mounted?
Chandler tries to roll over but Backstrom keeps him under control.
Chandler tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Backstrom has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chandler is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Chandler dominated that round.
That's time! Backstrom's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Chandler closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Backstrom wants to control but Chandler is keeping busy.
Chandler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ryan Chandler has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chandler trying to pass the guard but Backstrom defending well.
Backstrom trying to control but Chandler postures up.
Well, if Chandler is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Backstrom gets back to full guard.
Chandler looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Chandler must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Chandler is working Backstrom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler trying to control but Backstrom is working from the bottom.

Backstrom has an active guard here but Chandler has managed to pass into half guard.
Chandler lands strikes from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Backstrom manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Chandler passes Backstrom's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Backstrom actively working from the bottom here.
Chandler 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to get back to his feet.
Chandler wants to take a breather but Backstrom is having none of it.
Chandler trying to pass the guard but Backstrom defending well.
Backstrom is looking to improve his position.
Chandler keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chandler trying to control from half guard but Backstrom is working away.
Backstrom wants to get back to his feet.
Chandler wants to pass the guard but Backstrom is defending well.
Backstrom tries to get to full guard but Chandler has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom blocking the ground and pound attempt from Chandler.

Backstrom looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Chandler wants to take a breather but Backstrom is having none of it.

Chandler wants to work for an arm triangle but Backstrom is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Backstrom taking some punishment here, with Chandler in his half guard.
Chandler controlling the pace.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back.
Chandler is keen to just control but Backstrom is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler stalling.
Chandler wants to pass the guard but Backstrom is defending well.
Backstrom keeping control of the position.
Chandler trying to pass the guard but Backstrom defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ryan Chandler hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Chandler closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Backstrom did well to prevent Chandler getting side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Chandler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Backstrom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chandler.
Chandler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Backstrom was well out of range. Poor timing from Chandler.
Chandler tries to clinch up but Backstrom circles away and keeps his distance.
Chandler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Backstrom defends it nicely.
Chandler misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chandler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Backstrom tries to avoid it but Chandler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Backstrom to the ground. Backstrom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chandler throws a leg kick but Backstrom sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Backstrom stuffs the takedown attempt from Chandler. Chandler gets slowly back to his feet.
Niklas Backstrom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Chandler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler has a takedown stuffed.

Chandler throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Backstrom tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Chandler is in Backstrom's guard.
Chandler wants to pass the guard but Backstrom is keeping the position.

Backstrom looking for a guillotine here but Chandler defends easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Chandler frees his head nicely. Oh but Backstrom has switched to an armbar! Chandler is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Niklas Backstrom!
Niklas Backstrom is the new lightweight champion!