Niklas Backstrom defeated Tom Niinimaki via Submission 1st Round
I could not have been more wrong about Backstrom. Not that I didn't think he wouldn't make a good impression. I just didn't think he'd be the one taking the fight to Niinimaki after Niinimaki did the exact same thing to submission expert Rani Yahya. But that is exactly what he did and it couldn't have paid off for him in a better way. Niinimaki had the match going his way most of the time as he opened with a takedown, but Backstrom was just as dogged in getting back to his feet, attempting submissions, and scoring a flying knee that ended up being the beginning of the end for the longtime fight veteran.
I thought that Backstom had a good ground game that would allow him to hang with decorated grappler, but I wasn't expecting him to get the best of him in that manner as Niinimaki hadn't been submitted in over 7 years and had improved his game since that time. Didn't matter to the youngster. Outside of the knee, he didn't get to show much of his impressive striking, but he has the look of a special prospect on the rise and I wouldn't feel bad about feeding him to some of the experienced dogs in the division. Hell, I would say Niinimaki runs with those dogs. But look for the UFC to take it a bit slower with him and give him one more fight he would be expected to win before throwing him in the deep end again. Rob Whiteford surprised many when he walked away with a victory over Robbie Peralta. I'd be interested to see if he could do it to Backstrom.
Niinimaki suffered an unexpected loss, but his status as a tough scrappy veteran who can give anyone a solid fight shouldn't be affected. Everyone who knew anything about Backstrom knew the kid was talented and some thought he'd pull out the upset. Those of us that didn't figured he just didn't have the proper seasoning quite yet. And it isn't like Backstrom dominated Niinimaki. If anything, Niinimaki was in control for the majority of the bout. He hasn't lost anything with this loss. In about a month, Charles Oliveira and Hatsu Hioki will throwdown. The loser of that bout would be perfect to line up across from Niinimaki for their next test.
