Tom Niinimäki

Tom Niinimäki (born July 25, 1982) is a Finnish professional mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Niinimäki began training in kickboxing at the age of 15, and mixed martial arts at 19. He made his professional MMA debut in October 2002 in his native Finland. He assembled an impressive record of 9-2 in the first two years of competition, with all but one of his wins coming by way of submission or TKO.

Beginning in 2005, Niinimäki hit a rough patch where he lost three fights in a row. After one more win in 2007, he retired from competition, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Niinimäki made his promotional debut against Rani Yahya on November 30, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. He won the fight via split decision.

Niinimäki was expected to face Thiago Tavares on May 31, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 41. However, on May 14, Tavares pulled out of the fight due to thigh injury and was replaced by Niklas Bäckström. Niinimäki lost the back-and-forth fight in the first round by submission.

Niinimäki next faced Chas Skelly on August 23, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 49. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

On November 7, 2014 Niinimäki announced that he had signed a new four-fight contract with UFC.

Niinimäki was expected to face Rony Jason on December 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 58. However, Jason pulled out of the bout on December 10 and was replaced by promotional newcomer Renato Moicano. Niinimäki lost the bout via submission in the second round.

On January 27, 2015, MMAFighting.com reported that Niinimäki had been released from his UFC contract along with four other fighters.

Post-UFC career In late April 2016, Niinimäki was announced as one of the fighters that had signed on with new European promotion European Fighting Challenge.

Personal life Before moving to Boca Raton, Florida, Niinimäki lived his entire life in Turku, Finland and worked as a bouncer in several nightclubs.

Management and sponsors In the early 2012, Niinimäki signed a two-year management contract with Authentic Sports Management. After closing the deal, the management rapidly sent Niinimäki to train at Imperial Athletics gym with a mixed martial arts group later known as Blackzilians. In January 2014, Niinimäki moved to Florida to be able to continue training with Blackzilians at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.

Championships and accomplishments

Wrestling International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles 2011: 1st place - European Championships Grappling No Gi (155 lbs)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jonathan Brookins Decision (unanimous) Euro FC 1

Espoo, Finland Loss

Renato Moicano Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway

Barueri, Brazil Loss

Chas Skelly Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Niklas Bäckström Submission (bulldog choke) UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi

Berlin, Germany Win

Rani Yahya Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Walel Watson Submission (kimura) Cage 23

Vantaa, Finland Win

Chase Beebe Decision (unanimous) Cage 22

Vantaa, Finland Win

Vladimir Karasiov Submission (guillotine choke) Cage 20: Northern Storm 2

Oulu, Finland Win

Brian Pearman Submission (rear-naked choke) TFC 23: Fight for the Troops

Fort Riley, Kansas, United States Win

Johnny Frachey KO (punch) Cage 16: 1st Defense

Espoo, Finland Win

Sergej Grecicho Decision (unanimous) Cage 14: All Stars

Espoo, Finland Win

Dave Hill Decision (unanimous) TF 2: Champions are Here

Turku, Finland Win

Ben Boekee Submission (kimura) Cage 13: Spring Break

Vantaa, Finland Win

Yunus Evloev Submission (kimura) TF: Resurrection

Turku, Finland Win

Lautaro Arborelo Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage 12: Champions are Born

Vantaa, Finland Win

Bogdan Cristea Decision (unanimous) CW 7: Scotland The Brave

Glasgow, Scotland Loss

Tristan Yunker Submission (rear-naked choke) IHC 11: Apocalypse

Vantaa, Finland Loss

Hatsu Hioki Technical Submission (armbar) Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Danny Batten Decision (majority) CWFC: Strike Force 2

Coventry, England Draw

Bendy Casimir Draw Shooto Sweden: Second Impact

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Andre Soares Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 9: Xtreme Xmas

Sheffield, England Win

Patrick Rahael TKO FF 8: FinnFight 8

Turku, Finland Win

Vincent Latoel TKO Shooto Finland: Ragnarok

Tampere, Finland Win

Carlos Carrasco Submission (rear-naked choke) Shooto: Switzerland 2

Zurich, Switzerland Win

Vincent Latoel Submission (triangle Choke) Shooto Finland: Capital Punishment 2

Helsinki, Finland Win

Ville Honkala TKO FF 7: FinnFight 7

Turku, Finland Win

Teemu Nurkkala TKO (injury) FF 7: FinnFight 7

Turku, Finland Loss

Mikael Lahdesmäki Decision (unanimous) Shooto Finland: Capital Punishment

Helsinki, Finland Loss

Per Eklund TKO (punches) FF 6: FinnFight 6

Turku, Finland Win

Janne Salminen KO (knees) FF 6: FinnFight 6

Turku, Finland Win

Mikael Lahdesmäki TKO (corner stoppage) Shooto Finland: The First Time

Turku, Finland