PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Backstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philipp Kostyrko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kostyrko has chosen Fuck Them All as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Niklas Backstrom has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Backstrom
vs
Kostyrko

183 cm
28
154 lbs
18 - 6 - 1

155 cm
25
155 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
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 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Backstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Philipp Kostyrko!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kostyrko rushes Backstrom and presses him up against the cage.
Kostyrko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Backstrom in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Backstrom takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kostyrko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Backstrom is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kostyrko taking a breather.
Backstrom managing to block the knees to the body from Kostyrko.
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the head but Backstrom blocks with his arms.
Backstrom avoiding damage as Kostyrko throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostyrko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kostyrko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Backstrom is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostyrko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kostyrko connects with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kostyrko obliges.
Kostyrko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Backstrom has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kostyrko scores a nice knee to the body.
Kostyrko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Backstrom up against the cage.
Kostyrko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kostyrko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but Backstrom blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostyrko misses with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko tries to land knees in the clinch but Backstrom avoids the damage to the body.
Kostyrko connects with a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the head but Backstrom blocks with his arms.
Backstrom is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kostyrko with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Backstrom is breathing heavily.
Kostyrko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kostyrko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kostyrko crunches a lovely knee into Backstrom's ribcage.
Kostyrko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kostyrko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kostyrko slowing the pace effectively.
Backstrom takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kostyrko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Backstrom takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kostyrko has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Backstrom seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kostyrko can turn it around.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kostyrko.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kostyrko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kostyrko landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kostyrko is stalling here.
Kostyrko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kostyrko stalls.
Backstrom takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philipp Kostyrko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kostyrko rushes Backstrom and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kostyrko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kostyrko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kostyrko.
Kostyrko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kostyrko working Backstrom over with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostyrko lands a good knee to the midsection. Backstrom won't want to take too many of those.
Kostyrko connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kostyrko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the head but Backstrom blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kostyrko with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Backstrom's defenses.

Backstrom is rocked!
Kostyrko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kostyrko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kostyrko scores a nice knee to the body.
Kostyrko pushes off an throws an elbow but Backstrom leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Kostyrko drops Backstrom with a big knee straight up the middle! Backstrom is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Oh Backstrom is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kostyrko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostyrko crunches a lovely knee into Backstrom's ribcage.
Kostyrko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kostyrko lands a good knee to the midsection. Backstrom won't want to take too many of those.
Kostyrko lands a good knee to the midsection. Backstrom won't want to take too many of those.
Knees to the body from Kostyrko.
Kostyrko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kostyrko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kostyrko stalling.
Backstrom seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostyrko scores with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kostyrko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Backstrom avoids a wild elbow strike from Kostyrko.
Backstrom takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kostyrko lands a knee to the head.
Backstrom is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kostyrko crunches a lovely knee into Backstrom's ribcage.
Kostyrko controlling the action here for a moment.
Kostyrko slowing the pace effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kostyrko drops Backstrom with a big knee straight up the middle! Backstrom is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kostyrko drives through and clinches with Backstrom against the cage.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kostyrko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but Backstrom blocks it.
Kostyrko taking a breather.
Philipp Kostyrko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kostyrko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Backstrom lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kostyrko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kostyrko scores a nice knee to the body.
Kostyrko misses with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philipp Kostyrko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kostyrko takes the fight into the clinch.
Kostyrko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kostyrko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kostyrko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A knee to the head by Kostyrko.
Kostyrko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostyrko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Backstrom blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kostyrko drops Backstrom with a big knee straight up the middle! Backstrom is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kostyrko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Backstrom is out of range.
Backstrom throws a big counter combination but Kostyrko scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kostyrko closes the distance and clinches.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kostyrko.
Come on Kostyrko - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kostyrko lands a nice knee to the body.
Kostyrko working Backstrom over with knees to the body.
Backstrom takes a knee to the side of the body.

Kostyrko drops Backstrom with a big knee straight up the middle! Backstrom is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kostyrko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kostyrko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kostyrko.
Philipp Kostyrko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostyrko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kostyrko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Backstrom.
Kostyrko crunches a lovely knee into Backstrom's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backstrom wants to take the fight to the mat but Kostyrko manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kostyrko tries to land knees in the clinch but Backstrom avoids the damage to the body.
Backstrom wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niklas Backstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Backstrom jumps guard but Kostyrko turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kostyrko landing knees to the head.
Kostyrko misses with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Backstrom's efforts to push away.
Backstrom takes a knee to the side of the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Philipp Kostyrko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kostyrko 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 24:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 24:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Philipp Kostyrko!
A relieved looking Philipp Kostyrko thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.