Career
Bäckström began training Jujutsu at the age of 10. At 14 he also began Boxing and Wrestling in his hometown Luleå. After high school he moved to Stockholm and took up Mixed martial arts
Early career
Bäckström started his martial arts career as a competitor in Submission wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
He was awarded his BJJ purple belt after winning a Swedish tournament in 2008, he also competed in Shootfighting with a record of 2-0, before starting his professional Mobile Marketing Association career in 2009. After staying undefeated following his first three professional bouts, Bäckström signed with the British promotion Cage Warriors.
He was later expected to face top Irish prospect and future UFC fighter Conor McGregor on September 8, 2011 at CWFC: Fight Night 2. However, Bäckström was forced out of the bout with a broken hand, and was replaced by Aron Jahnsen.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On May 15, 2014 it was revealed that Bäckström had signed a contract with the UFC. He made his debut on short notice, replacing an injured Thiago Tavares against Tom Niinimäki on May 31, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 41.
He was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts. Bäckström faced Mike Wilkinson on October 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 53. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Bäckström faced Noad Lahat on June 20, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 69 He lost the back and forth fight by majority decision (28-28, 28-29, 28-29).
However, on the Mobile Marketing Association media scorecards, most had scored the fight a draw, with Bäckström winning round one and three 10-9 and losing round two 10-8, making the score 28-28. In late August, 2015 it was announced, surprisingly to some, that Bäckström had been released from the promotion.
Post-UFC
In his first fight since his UFC stint, Bäckström fought Bulgarian veteran Georgi Stoyanov on November 28, 2015 in the headliner at the Battle of Botnia 2015-event, close to his hometown in North Sweden. Mixed Martial Arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (One time) versus
Tom Niinimäki
Nordic Mobile Marketing Association Awards - MMAViking.com
2014 Submission of the Year versus
Tom Niinimäki (UFC Fight Night 41)
Submission Wrestling
2012 Swedish National Submission Wrestling Lightweight Tournament 1st place
2010 Swedish National Submission Wrestling Lightweight Tournament 3rd place
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2008 Västerås Cup 4 Open Weight Tournament 3rd place.
