PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Flecher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Niklas Backstrom has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Backstrom
vs
Flecher

183 cm
24
154 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Steven Flecher!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flecher shoots in looking for a takedown but Backstrom manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Flecher's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Flecher is looking to clinch but Backstrom is avoiding it.
Flecher tries to clinch up.
Flecher has his takedown stuffed

and Backstrom counters by moving into the clinch.
Flecher has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Backstrom is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Niklas Backstrom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Flecher.
Backstrom wants to take the fight to the mat but Flecher manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Flecher misses with a hook to the ribs.

Flecher breaks from the clinch.
Backstrom avoids the body shot from Flecher.
Flecher wants to clinch but Backstrom slips to the side

and Backstrom counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Flecher breaks the clinch.
Flecher shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Backstrom sprawls well. Backstrom wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Flecher gets slowly back to his feet.
Flecher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Backstrom counters by clinching up.
Flecher fails to pull guard.
Backstrom has Flecher pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Flecher manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Backstrom prevents the takedown attempt.
Flecher is pressed up against the cage. Backstrom has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Flecher down to the mat. Flecher avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Flecher tries for a takedown but Backstrom circles away easily

and Backstrom counters with a single leg into guard. Flecher didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flecher swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Backstrom drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Backstrom jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've been hearing that Backstrom has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Backstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Flecher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backstrom passes Flecher's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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 prevents Flecher from improving his position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom moves nicely into side control.

Backstrom working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Backstrom trying to control the position but Flecher is working away.
Backstrom working away.

Backstrom working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom trying to control the position but Flecher is working away.

Backstrom is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Flecher knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backstrom advances nicely into full mount.
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 round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Flecher moves in looking to clinch but Backstrom pushes him off.
Flecher looks for a takedown but Backstrom sprawls well.
Flecher closes the distance looking to clinch

and Backstrom counters by clinching up.
Flecher wants to break the clinch but can't.
Flecher is looking for a takedown.

Flecher lands a takedown into guard.

Backstrom working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Flecher doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Flecher manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Backstrom looking to hit a scissor sweep but Flecher is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backstrom working for a triangle but Flecher defends it easily.
Backstrom is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backstrom working for submissions but it's allowed Flecher to get to half guard.
Niklas Backstrom overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Backstrom is refusing to be controlled, as Flecher sits in half guard.

Backstrom is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Flecher pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Backstrom has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Flecher is on him like a limpet, forcing Backstrom back against the cage.
Flecher has had enough of the clinch but Backstrom keeps him there for the moment.
Flecher is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Backstrom is defending well.
Niklas Backstrom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Flecher.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flecher wants to break the clinch but can't.
Flecher has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Backstrom avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Flecher drops down looking for an ankle pick but Backstrom pulls his leg out and moves away.
Flecher throws a head kick that misses.
Flecher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Backstrom counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flecher tries to throw a body punch but Backstrom avoids it by throwing Flecher back against the cage.
Flecher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Flecher goes for a takedown attempt but Backstrom pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Flecher tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Backstrom counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Flecher's guard now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Backstrom slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Flecher controls the position for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niklas Backstrom dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Flecher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Backstrom counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Flecher's guard now.
Backstrom is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Backstrom drops back, looking for a kneebar! Flecher looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Flecher looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Flecher!
Flecher fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Backstrom is looking to regain half guard here but Flecher keeps moving and retains side control.
Flecher works to advance to full mount. Backstrom defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backstrom is looking to improve his position but Flecher isn't that keen on the idea.
Backstrom wants to hold on but Flecher pushes him away.
Flecher content just to control the position here.
Backstrom regains half guard.
Flecher stops Backstrom from getting back to his feet.
Flecher is trying to control. Backstrom wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Backstrom actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom is not content to let Flecher control the position.
Backstrom wants to improve his position but Flecher is controlling well.
Backstrom is concentrating on defense, preventing Flecher from advancing position.
Backstrom tries to roll over but Flecher keeps him under control.
Flecher wants to lay and pray for a moment but Backstrom keeps working.

Steven Flecher has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Flecher with a lazy takedown attempt

and Backstrom counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flecher trying to control but Backstrom postures up.
Backstrom looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Flecher is not content to let Backstrom control the position.
Flecher gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flecher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Backstrom is one step ahead there.
Flecher keeps trying to improve his position.
Backstrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flecher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Backstrom wants to control from the top but Flecher keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Flecher fails with the takedown

and Backstrom counters with a shoot takedown. Flecher fights it but they end up in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niklas Backstrom showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Backstrom, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

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