Tom Niinimäki (born July 25, 1982) is a Finnish professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who formerly competed in the

Featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Niinimäki began training in

kickboxing Kickboxing ( ) is a full-contact hybrid Martial arts, martial art and Boxing (disambiguation), boxing type based on punch (combat), punching and kicking. Kickboxing originated in the 1950s to 1970s. The fight takes place in a boxing ring, norma ...

at the age of 15, and

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...

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, saying that he had "lost his fire" to compete. After a two and a half year hiatus, Niinimäki returned to the sport in February 2010. Since his return he has been unbeaten and maintained an 11-fight winning streak before signing with the

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Niinimäki made his promotional debut against

Rani Yahya Rani Ahmad Yahya (born September 12, 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and BJJ practitioner. He won the 66 kg division of the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in April 2007. He currently fights in the Bantam ...

on November 30, 2013 at

The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale ''The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate'' (also known as ''The Ultimate Fighter 18'') is the eighteenth U.S.-based installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)-produced reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter''. Th ...

. He won the fight via split decision. Niinimäki was expected to face

Thiago Tavares Thiago Tavares (born November 8, 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and politician who most recently competed in the Lightweight division. An 18-fight veteran of the UFC, he has also fought in the Professional Fighters League and Cage Warr ...

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 Niklas Oskar Bäckström (; born 13 February 1978) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender and current goaltending coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played ten seasons for the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames in the Nation ...

. 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 Rony Mariano Bezerra (born March 21, 1984), better known as Rony Jason, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, B ...

on December 20, 2014 at

UFC Fight Night 58 ''UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 58'') was a mixed martial arts event held at the Ginásio José Corrêa in Barueri, Brazil on December 20, 2014. Background The event was the second that the UFC has host ...

. However, Jason pulled out of the bout on December 10 and was replaced by promotional newcomer

Renato Moicano Renato Alves Carneiro (born May 21, 1989), known as Renato Moicano, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2010, Moic ...

. 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

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

an promotion European Fighting Challenge.

Personal life

Before moving to

Boca Raton, Florida Boca Raton ( ; ) is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 97,422 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and it ranked as the 23rd-largest city in Florida in 2022. Many people with a Boca Raton Address, ...

, Niinimäki lived his entire life in

Turku Turku ( ; ; , ) is a city in Finland and the regional capital of Southwest Finland. It is located on the southwestern coast of the country at the mouth of the Aura River (Finland), River Aura. The population of Turku is approximately , while t ...

, 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 The Blackzilians was a professional team of fighters in mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, amateur wrestling and catch wrestling located in South Florida. The team had included former UFC champions Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Eddie Alvarez ...

. In January 2014, Niinimäki moved to Florida to be able to continue training with Blackzilians at Jaco Hybrid Training Center. In May 2014, online gambling company

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announced a sponsor deal with Niinimäki.

Championships and accomplishments

Wrestling Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...

International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations". International may also refer to: Music Albums * ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011 * ''International'' (New Order album), 2002 * ''International'' (The T ...

**2011: 1st place - European Championships Grappling No Gi (155 lbs) **2011: 3rd place - European Championships Grappling No Gi (165 lbs) **2010: 3rd place - European Championships Grappling No Gi (155 lbs) **2010: 1st place - European Championships Combat Grappling (155 lbs)

Mixed martial arts

*Cage **Featherweight Champion *TurkuFight **Featherweight Champion *Nordic MMA Awards - MMAviking.com **2013 Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 22–8–1 ,

Jonathan Brookins Jonathan Brookins (born August 13, 1985) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed as a featherweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well a ...

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Espoo Espoo (, ; ) is a city in Finland. It is located to the west of the capital, Helsinki, in southern Uusimaa. The population is approximately . It is the most populous Municipalities of Finland, municipality in Finland. Espoo is part of the Helsi ...

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, Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:30 ,

Barueri Barueri ( or ) is a Brazilian municipality in the State of São Paulo located in the northwestern part of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. The population is 276,982 (2020 est.) in an area of . Its boundaries are Santana de Parnaíba to ...

, Brazil , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–7–1 , Chas Skelly , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:35 ,

Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa ( ) is the List of municipalities in Oklahoma, second-most-populous city in the U.S. state, state of Oklahoma, after Oklahoma City, and the List of United States cities by population, 48th-most-populous city in the United States. The po ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–6–1 ,

, Submission (bulldog choke) , UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:15 ,

Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

, Germany , , - , Win , align=center, 21–5–1 ,

, Decision (split) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–5–1 , Walel Watson , Submission (kimura) , Cage 23 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:52 ,

Vantaa Vantaa (; , ) is a city in Finland. It is located to the north of the capital, Helsinki, in southern Uusimaa. The population of Vantaa is approximately . It is the most populous municipality in Finland. Vantaa is part of the Helsinki Metropoli ...

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 19–5–1 , Chase Beebe , Decision (unanimous) , Cage 22 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 18–5–1 , Vladimir Karasiov , Submission (guillotine choke) , Cage 20: Northern Storm 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:31 ,

Oulu Oulu ( , ; ) is a city in Finland and the regional capital of North Ostrobothnia. It is located on the northwestern coast of the country at the mouth of the Oulujoki, River Oulu. The population of Oulu is approximately , while the Oulu sub-regio ...

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 17–5–1 , Brian Pearman , Submission (rear-naked choke) , TFC 23: Fight for the Troops , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:48 ,

Fort Riley, Kansas Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in North Central Kansas, on the Kansas River, also known as the Kaw, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 101,733 acres (41,170 ha) in Ge ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–5–1 , Johnny Frachey , KO (punch) , Cage 16: 1st Defense , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:09 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 15–5–1 ,

Sergej Grecicho Sergej Grecicho, or in Lithuanian Sergejus Grečicho, is a Lithuanian Combat Sambo practitioner, and mixed martial artist who has won six medals, three of them gold, in Combat Sambo divisions at the Sambo World Championships. He als ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Cage 14: All Stars , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 14–5–1 , Dave Hill , Decision (unanimous) , TF 2: Champions are Here , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 13–5–1 , Ben Boekee , Submission (kimura) , Cage 13: Spring Break , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:47 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 12–5–1 , Yunus Evloev , Submission (kimura) , TF: Resurrection , , align=center, 1 , align=center, ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 11–5–1 , Lautaro Arborelo , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Cage 12: Champions are Born , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:26 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, , Bogdan Cristea , Decision (unanimous) , CW 7: Scotland The Brave , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Glasgow Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...

, Scotland , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–5–1 , Tristan Yunker , Submission (rear-naked choke) , IHC 11: Apocalypse , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:34 ,

, Finland , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–4–1 ,

Hatsu Hioki (, born July 18, 1983) is a Japanese former professional mixed martial artist competing in the featherweight division. He is the former Shooto Lightweight Champion, Sengoku Featherweight Champion, and TKO Featherweight Champion. Hioki is a lon ...

, Technical Submission (armbar) , Shooto 2005: 11/6 in Korakuen Hall , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:03 ,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–3–1 , Danny Batten , Decision (majority) , CWFC: Strike Force 2 , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Coventry Coventry ( or rarely ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands county, in England, on the River Sherbourne. Coventry had been a large settlement for centurie ...

, England , , - , Draw , align=center, 9–2–1 ,

Bendy Casimir Bendy Casimir (born June 10, 1980) is a French professional Lightweight mixed martial artist. He has competed for the WEC and M-1 Global. WEC career He made his WEC debut against Ricardo Lamas on March 6, 2010, at WEC 47, losing via first-roun ...

, Draw , Shooto Sweden: Second Impact , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Stockholm Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...

, Sweden , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 , Andre Soares , Decision (unanimous) , Cage Warriors 9: Xtreme Xmas , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Sheffield Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, England, situated south of Leeds and east of Manchester. The city is the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and some of its so ...

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 , Patrick Rahael , TKO , FF 8: FinnFight 8 , , align=center, , align=center, ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 7–2 , Vincent Latoel , TKO , Shooto Finland: Ragnarok , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:25 ,

Tampere Tampere is a city in Finland and the regional capital of Pirkanmaa. It is located in the Finnish Lakeland. The population of Tampere is approximately , while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately . It is the most populous mu ...

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 6–2 , Carlos Carrasco , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Shooto: Switzerland 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, ,

Zurich Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...

, Switzerland , , - , Win , align=center, 5–2 , Vincent Latoel , Submission (triangle Choke) , Shooto Finland: Capital Punishment 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:03 ,

Helsinki Helsinki () is the Capital city, capital and most populous List of cities and towns in Finland, city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. About people live in the municipali ...

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 4–2 , Ville Honkala , TKO , FF 7: FinnFight 7 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 8:39 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 3–2 , Teemu Nurkkala , TKO (injury) , FF 7: FinnFight 7 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:15 ,

, Finland , , - , Loss , align=center, 2–2 , Mikael Lahdesmäki , Decision (unanimous) , Shooto Finland: Capital Punishment , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Finland , , - , Loss , align=center, 2–1 ,

Per Eklund Per Torsten Eklund (born 21 June 1946) is a Swedish Rally and Rallycross driver. His nickname is "Pekka". In rallying he never made it to the very top but he has been very successful in his later rallycross career. Biography Saab works dr ...

, TKO (punches) , FF 6: FinnFight 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:53 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Janne Salminen , KO (knees) , FF 6: FinnFight 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:32 ,

, Finland , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Mikael Lahdesmäki , TKO (corner stoppage) , Shooto Finland: The First Time , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Finland ,

References

External links

*
Facebook pageTom Niinimäki on TwitterUFC ProfileFight Matrix RankingProfile on Sherdog
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niinimaki, Tom 1982 births Living people Featherweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Finnish male mixed martial artists Finnish practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Finnish submission wrestlers Finnish male sport wrestlers Sportspeople from Turku Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters 21st-century Finnish sportsmen