Niklas Backstrom Replaces Thiago Tavaras, Meets Tom Niinimaki at UFC Berlin

Niklas Backstrom Replaces Thiago Tavaras Meets Tom Niinimaki at UFC Berlin
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Fresh off an impressive victory at Europa MMA just 6 weeks ago, the UFC have signed undefeated Swedish featherweight Niklas Backstrom (7-0). He will step in to face Tom Niinimaki on just 2 weeks notice as a replacement for Thiago Tavaras who has been removed from UFC Fight Night 41 in Berlin for unconfirmed reasons.

A product of Allstar Training Center in Sweden, Niklas Backstom joins teammates Alexander Gustaffson, and Magnus Cedenblad on the UFC roster, on the back of an impressive headkick victory over top 10 German featherweight Max Coga, who Backstrom needed just 15 seconds to defeat.

A pro since 2009, the 24-year old has won five straight fights since a no-contest more than three years ago. A former grappling champion, the towering 6-foot featherweight has taken 5 of his 7 career victory inside the distance - 4 by TKO, 1 by submission.

Talking of ahead of the newly announced bout, Backstrom  said:

“He [Niinimaki] is very talented, but I am awesome," says the undefeated UFC newcomer. "I will let him decide how he wants to be beaten."

Currently riding a 12 fight win streak, Niinimaki (21-5) fights for the second time in the UFC having defeated Rani Yaha in his debut at the TUF 18 finale. A former Cage MMA featherweight champion in his native Finland, the 31-year old defeated former WEC bantamweight champion Chase Beebe and former UFC fighter Walel Watson in 2013 before join the UFC. A pro since 2002, Niinimaki has 15 wins inside the distance - 7 by TKO, 8 by submission.

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest on UFC Fight Night 41 Berlin.