Bio: UFC Fight Night 41 Predictions - NextSportStar
"Featherweight: Tom “Stoneface” Niinimaki (25-5-1) vs. Niklas Backstrom (7-0, 1 NC)
The former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion, Tom Niinimaki, is currently on a 12-fight winning streak, coming off a Unanimous Decision victory over Rani Yahya in his UFC debut. He’s taking on someone who will make his UFC debut, Niklas Backstrom, a product of Allstars Training Center in Sweden, home to Alexander Gustafsson and Nicolas Musoke. Backstrom is known for his striking but Niinimaki has the wrestling to neutralize it. With Backstrom having the pressure of being undefeated and making his UFC debut, it will be overwhelming and “Stoneface” will take advantage and grind out a decision.
Prediction: Tom Niinimaki defeats Niklas Backstrom via Split Decision"
UFC Fight Night 41: Munoz vs. Mousasi Preview and Predictions | The MMA Corner
"Kuhl: Tom Niinimäki is a longtime MMA veteran who is currently in the middle of a very successful second life. The Finnish fighter was on an impressive 9-2 run, finishing the majority of his opponents, between 2002 and 2004 before getting handed a draw, followed by three losses in a row. He retired from the sport in 2007, and many thought he was simply done. After a career renaissance in 2010, though, the well-rounded mixed martial artist has gone undefeated in 11 fights and is making his second UFC appearance against undefeated Swede Niklas Backstrom.
Backstrom trains out of Allstars Training Center, the home gym of Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi. In his five-year pro career, he has racked up four knockouts, one submission and two decisions, showcasing his ability to both finish fights and go the distance, if need be.
Niinimäki is a much more experienced mixed martial artist who has a tremendous fire in his belly. He is not ready to drop his second UFC fight to the promotional newcomer. That being said, Backstrom comes from a damn good pedigree and is equally ready to put on a big display against the veteran. Unfortunately, that drive will not be enough to overcome the experience that Niinimäki brings to the table.
Niinimäki by second-round submission.
Kontek: Backstrom is an awesome prospect who has a bright future in the UFC, but he is really getting a stiff test in his Octagon debut against Niinimäki.
Niinimäki made his Octagon debut in the deep end of the pool, as they say, by taking on jiu-jitsu ace and UFC/WEC vet Rani Yahya. He made the fight a surprise by out-grappling Yahya and out-hustling the Brazilian en route to a decision victory. It showed that Niinimäki is not only competent on the feet, but can also keep up on the ground.
Backstrom is more of a striker, like his aforementioned countryman and teammate Gustafsson. His priority here is to defend the shot from the Finn and light him up with his technical striking on the feet. If he does that, he could secure an upset.
However, Niinimäki has fought tougher guys than Backstrom with success. He should earn his second UFC win here over Backstrom, likely taking a clear-cut decision from the Swede.
Gardner: Niinimäki is and has been one of Europe’s best featherweight fighters since making his return to the sport in 2010 after more than two years of inactivity. Niinimäki’s 11-fight winning streak includes finishes of seven of his opponents.
As good as Niinimäki is, though, Backstrom may just be that much better. The undefeated prospect has shown great ability on the feet, and he is looking to make a statement in his UFC debut.
Niinimäki is as tough as they come. He is going to give Backstrom a run for his money, but the youngster will be too much for the veteran. In what will surely be the “Fight of the Night,” Backstrom will win via unanimous decision."
UFC Fight Night 41: Munoz vs Mousasi Full Predictions and Bets | Fight Predictor
"The main card opener features two Europeans fighters as Finnish featherweight Tom Niinimaki takes on Swedish featherweight Niklas Backstrom will do battle. For Niinimaki, the debuting Backstrom will likely be a slight step down in competition after defeating UFC vet Rani Yahya via split decision in his debut. In that fight, Niinimaki showed a solid ability to control his opponent, and the win brought his current win streak to 12. The debuting Backstrom has some impressive finishes on his resume, but hasn’t faced very many high calibre opponents. In addition, the UFC debut could always lead to nerves which negatively impact his performance. Because of the additional uncertainty, we are putting Niinimaki in a parlay, but keeping it a bit smaller at 2 units.
Parlayed with Niinimaaki will be the debuting, 10-0 Pawel Pawlak. Pawlak has finished 9 of his 10 wins and has actually faced a far higher number of above 500 fighters than many of his debuting counterparts. His opponent, Peter Sobotta, actually fought in the UFC back in 2010, and fared very poorly, losing 3 straight fights to other guys who also didn’t fare well in the UFC. Sobotta has since won 5 straight, but the level of compeition has been downright terrible. We see the 25 year old Pawlak getting his debut win the vast majority of the time unless he faces some major UFC jitters so we placed a 2 unit parlay bet on Pawlak and Niinimaki at 2.15 (+115)"
