PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Chandler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Chandler could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Niklas Backstrom's chin.

Chandler
vs
Backstrom

175 cm
23
162 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

183 cm
23
162 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Chandler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chandler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Backstrom.
A bone on bone clash there as Backstrom blocks the leg kick.

Chandler looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Backstrom is trying to maintain the position but Chandler is very close to passing his half guard.
Chandler 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.
Chandler tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Backstrom.
Chandler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Chandler wants to stand up but Backstrom has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Backstrom actively working from the bottom here.
Chandler is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Chandler wants to take a breather but Backstrom is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to control but Chandler is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Chandler is taking a breather. Backstrom 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.
Backstrom missing with punches from the bottom.
Chandler trying to control from half guard but Backstrom is working away.

Ryan Chandler has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Chandler lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Backstrom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chandler looks to score with a jab to the body but Backstrom is just out of range.

Chandler drives through with a takedown into Backstrom's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Backstrom has his foot on Chandler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Chandler works his way back into a safe position though.
Chandler wants to stand but Backstrom is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Backstrom is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Chandler defends well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chandler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Backstrom swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Chandler is looking to stand up but Backstrom won't let him.
Chandler trying to control but Backstrom is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Chandler controlling from the top position.

We're going to have a standup here because Ryan Chandler wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Chandler wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chandler shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Backstrom's guard.
Backstrom has a closed guard, preventing Chandler from standing up.
Chandler wants to control from the top but Backstrom keeps moving.

Backstrom is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Chandler is aware though and is defending well.
Chandler has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Backstrom is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Chandler defends well.
Chandler wants to stand but Backstrom is controlling his posture from full guard.
Chandler wants to pass the guard but Backstrom is keeping the position.

Chandler gets to his feet. Backstrom looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chandler misses with a jab, cross combination.
Chandler misses with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Chandler dominated that 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.

Chandler connects with a single shot there.

Chandler shoots in and bounces Backstrom off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ryan Chandler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Backstrom looking for a guillotine here but Chandler defends easily.
Chandler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Chandler postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Backstrom is trying to keep Chandler in close.
Chandler postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Chandler wants to control from the top but Backstrom keeps moving.

Backstrom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Chandler gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Chandler is looking to stand up but Backstrom won't let him.
Chandler trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chandler is looking to stand up but Backstrom won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ryan Chandler.

Chandler moves into range and clinches up with Backstrom.
Backstrom gets underhooks to prevent Chandler's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chandler lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Backstrom trying to control from the bottom.
Chandler seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chandler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Backstrom is not content to let Chandler control the position.

Backstrom actively working from the bottom here.

Backstrom is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Chandler pulls his head out easily.
Backstrom is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler drops an elbow to the side of Backstrom's head.
Backstrom trying to control but Chandler postures up.
Chandler prevents Backstrom from standing back up.
Backstrom tries to roll over but Chandler keeps him under control.
Backstrom is still trying to improve position.
Chandler working Backstrom over with strikes.
Chandler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Chandler wants to stand up but Backstrom is controlling the position.
Backstrom wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chandler is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Chandler wants to stand up but Backstrom is controlling the position.
Chandler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Backstrom keeps working.
Backstrom flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Chandler is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Chandler drops an elbow to the side of Backstrom's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Backstrom looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chandler passes the guard and advances to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Chandler dominated that second 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.

Chandler feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Chandler scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Chandler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Backstrom works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Backstrom looking for a guillotine here but Chandler defends easily.
Backstrom wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Chandler content to stall in guard here.
Backstrom takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backstrom looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Chandler stands up and waves to Backstrom to follow him.
Chandler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Chandler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler wants to clinch.
Backstrom drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Backstrom with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Chandler to score with a decent uppercut.
Backstrom keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Chandler moves into the clinch.
Chandler goes for a takedown attempt but Backstrom pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Chandler, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom gets caught napping as Chandler dives in and scores a takedown. Backstrom manages to retain guard.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Backstrom looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Chandler looking to pass the guard.
Chandler sitting in guard here, content to control.
Chandler landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Backstrom's head.
Chandler is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Chandler with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chandler postures up and lands a big shot to Backstrom's brow.
Chandler slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Backstrom is trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Chandler stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Chandler clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Chandler just misses with a punch to the body.
It looks like Chandler has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Backstrom moves out of range of the leg kick from Chandler.
Chandler throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chandler wants to slow Backstrom down by chopping away at his legs.
Chandler misses with a left hand

and Backstrom counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Chandler!
Chandler is not content to let Backstrom control the position.
You can see the frustration on Chandler's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler is looking for a sweep.
Chandler pushes Backstrom away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Backstrom gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Chandler is trying to get back to half guard.

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 absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Chandler is trying to control Backstrom's posture but Backstrom avoids it.

Backstrom tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler wants to get back to his feet but Backstrom drags him back down.
Chandler is trying to get back to half guard.
Chandler gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Backstrom is working for a kimura but Chandler is defending it quite comfortably.
Backstrom is trying to control the action in half guard but Chandler is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler is trying to stand back up but Backstrom is controlling him

Backstrom seems to be looking for submissions.
Chandler wants to get back to his feet.

Backstrom is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Chandler is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Backstrom is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Chandler has managed to free his arm - good work.
Chandler is trying to control but can't.
Chandler is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backstrom working over Chandler with some ground and pound. Chandler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Chandler drives through with a takedown into guard.

Backstrom looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Chandler is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Chandler distracts Backstrom with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Backstrom is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backstrom has his foot on Chandler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Chandler works his way back into a safe position though.
Chandler would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Chandler trying to control the position from guard on top but Backstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backstrom manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Backstrom working for a guillotine from mount but Chandler is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chandler tries to hold on but Backstrom pushes him away.
Chandler is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Backstrom thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Chandler is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Backstrom wants to control but Chandler has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Chandler looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chandler wants to get back to full guard.

Backstrom maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Chandler could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Backstrom has cracked it and Chandler is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Backstrom!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Niklas Backstrom! Niklas Backstrom retains his lightweight title!