PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mibon Turua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Backstrom
vs
Turua

183 cm
23
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mibon Turua!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Turua closes the distance and clinches.
Backstrom swings wildly with an uppercut but Turua uses good head movement to avoid it.

Turua breaks the clinch.
Turua throws a head kick that misses.

Turua drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Backstrom is pushing Turua's head away, looking to escape. Turua manages to hold on to the position though.
Turua throws an elbow but Backstrom slips to the side and avoids it well.
Backstrom gets back to half guard.
Turua sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Backstrom defending well though.
Turua is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Backstrom on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Turua is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Backstrom keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Turua is nestled in close to Backstrom, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turua not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Turua working over Backstrom with some ground and pound. Backstrom looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Turua blocks the strikes from Backstrom.
Turua thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Backstrom's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Turua not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Backstrom wants to control but Turua is keeping busy.
Turua lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Turua 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.
Turua winds up and cracks Backstrom with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Backstrom is looking to control Turua's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Backstrom avoid being mounted?
Backstrom blocking the ground and pound attempt from Turua.
Backstrom trying to control here.
Turua throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom is trying to stand.
Turua is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Backstrom taking some punishment here, with Turua in his half guard.
Turua lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Backstrom on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Backstrom is trying to stand up here but Turua is controlling him well.
Backstrom is breathing heavily.
Nice strikes from Turua there.
Turua takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Turua wants to stand up but Backstrom has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Turua missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Backstrom gets back to full guard.
Turua working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Turua landing with the ground and pound.
Turua working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Turua with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Turua is working Backstrom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turua wants to stand and escape but instead Backstrom has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Turua pulls Backstrom in to control the position.
Turua keeping full guard, as Backstrom tries to pass.

Turua has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Backstrom off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Turua shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Backstrom napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Turua works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Backstrom manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Backstrom trying to control but Turua postures up.
Backstrom tries to kick Turua off but Turua keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Turua working over Backstrom with some ground and pound. Backstrom looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Backstrom wants to control but Turua is keeping busy.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Turua lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mibon Turua dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Turua looking to score a takedown here. Backstrom is defending well but Turua drives through and ends up in Backstrom's guard.
Turua throws a big right hand that misses.

Backstrom is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Turua is aware though and is defending well.
Turua working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Turua throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Backstrom is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Turua throws a big elbow that misses.
Backstrom trying to keep a closed guard but Turua is proving a slippery customer.

Backstrom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Backstrom wants to stand but Turua is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Turua works over Backstrom with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Turua's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Backstrom has momentary wrist control but Turua slips an elbow through the middle.
Turua content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Turua lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Turua connects with a couple of short punches.

Backstrom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Turua is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Turua is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Turua landing some decent shots from guard.
Turua content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Turua postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Turua with a nice head shot there.
Turua connects with a couple of short punches.
Turua lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Turua landing some decent shots from guard.
Turua landing with the ground and pound.
Turua keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Backstrom's head.
Backstrom tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Turua is working Backstrom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Turua postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Turua lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Turua is in close to Backstrom's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Turua has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turua distracts Backstrom with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Turua distracts Backstrom with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Turua chips away with some ground and pound.
Turua working some strikes from top position.
Turua is looking to stand up but Backstrom won't let him.
Backstrom not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Turua must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Turua throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Backstrom trying to control the position.
Turua stands up over Backstrom, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Turua accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turua keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Backstrom's head.
Backstrom has momentary wrist control but Turua slips an elbow through the middle.
Backstrom utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Backstrom seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Turua chips away with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Turua is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Backstrom looking to control.
Turua in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Backstrom has his feet on Turua's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Turua misses with a few strikes there.

Backstrom closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Turua's guard.
Turua keeping full guard, as Backstrom tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mibon Turua showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Turua clinches with his opponent.

Turua has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Backstrom regains guard immediately.
Backstrom preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Turua won't allow Backstrom to sweep him here.
Turua throwing strikes but missing.
Turua is looking to work some ground and pound but Backstrom has wrist control.

Backstrom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Turua gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Turua stands up over Backstrom, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Turua preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turua scoring with punches to the head and body.
Turua lands a couple of digs.
Turua working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Turua throws an elbow that misses. Backstrom uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Turua's guard. Nice move by Backstrom!

Turua looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Backstrom tries to free his leg and advance position but Turua is retaining full guard.
Turua keeping moving, preventing Backstrom from controlling successfully.

Turua has an active guard here but Backstrom has managed to pass into half guard.
Turua is looking to get back to is feet but Backstrom passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turua is working to avoid the ground and pound but Backstrom connects with a decent elbow.
Turua sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Backstrom is taking a breather. Turua says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Turua tries to get to full guard but Backstrom has control of the leg.
Turua trying to hold on to Backstrom's head to control him but Backstrom postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Backstrom is looking to take a break and control but Turua is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Backstrom prevents Turua from improving his position.
Turua is trying to escape back to his feet but Backstrom uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turua tries to improve position but can't.
Backstrom trying to control the position but Turua is working away.
Turua tries to improve position but can't.
Backstrom wants to control but Turua is keeping him busy.
Turua tries to buck Backstrom off but Backstrom is having none of it.
Turua is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Turua looking for a sweep but Backstrom has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Mibon Turua has got the better of the ground game so far.
Turua can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Turua's face.
Backstrom thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
You get the feeling that Turua really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Backstrom working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Turua tries to hold on but Backstrom postures up.
Turua blocking the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Backstrom prevents Turua from getting the reversal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Backstrom dominating with strikes here.
Backstrom can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Turua is looking to escape.
Niklas Backstrom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mibon Turua is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Turua is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mibon Turua.
Well Turua has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Mibon Turua!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Mibon Turua!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Mibon Turua!

Mibon Turua wins by unanimous decision!