By TXMMA Staff | Emil Fischer | Photos by Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Roy Nelson flattens Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in UFC Fight Night main event
As for the Texas contingent, Jared Rosholt continued his winning ways with a unanimous decision win over Daniel Omielanczuk in their heavyweight bout while Johnny Bedford went to no-contest with Rani Yahya following an inadvertent headbutt that left the Brazilian unconscious early on in their bantamweight bout.
Here’s a quick rundown of the results from the UFC Fight Night 39 event held at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates this past Saturday, April 11th.
UFC Fight Night 39 Quick Results
Main Card
- Roy Nelson def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by KO at 3:37, R1
- Clay Guida def. Tatsuya Kawajiri by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ryan LaFlare def. John Howard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ramsey Nijem def. Beneil Dariush by TKO at 4:20, R1
Preliminary Card
- Jared Rosholt def. Daniel Omielanczuk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Thales Leites def. Trevor Smith by TKO at 0:45, R1
- Jim Alers def. Alan Omer by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Johnny Bedford vs. Rani Yahya ruled No Contest at 0:39, R1
UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson – Main Card Recap (Fight Pass)
This fight was, as promised, an explosive battle between two beleaguered fighters. Roy Nelson broke his 2 fight losing streak in amazing fashion by dropping a bomb late in the first round and knocking out Big Nog with one of his best one punch knock outs yet. Big Country loads his punches up and throws them as hard as he can hoping to end the fight, and if his opponent doesn’t recognize what he’s doing his hopes are very often realized. Unfortunately for him, it takes a slower worn down opponent for him to truly shine.
Result: Roy Nelson def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by KO at 3:37 of Round 1
145 lbs.: Clay Guida vs Tatsuya Kawajiri
A fight of the night bonus for BOTH fighters was definitely deserved in this timeless featherweight battle. Much respect to both Guida and Kawajiri for coming out there and pushing the pace. Guida was the aggressor for more of the fight so there is little controversy as to who won this, but Kawajiri showed a lot of heart and kept coming back at Guida the whole time. Guida won this not through technical skill or prowess but through pure toughness.
Result: Clay Guida def Tatsuya Kawajiri by Unanimous Decision
170 lbs.: Ryan LaFlare vs John Howard
Both fighters came to this welterweight fight with their game faces on and ready to do battle. After being dominated in the first round Howard took a hard shot below the belt in the second round which seemed to take a bit of the fire away from him. These sorts of things happen in combat sports but no one likes to see them happen. At the end of the fight it was clear that LaFlare had done what he needed to do to come out on top and earned the decision.
Result: Ryan LaFlare Def. John Howard by Unanimous Decision
155 lbs.: Ramsey Nijem vs Beneil Dariush
The main card started off with a short but exciting battle between lightweights Nijem and Dariush. Both fighters came out looking for the kill, and played their respective games. Nijem was able to win this fight using superior tactics and it would be interesting to see a rematch at some point, as Dariush seemed almost caught off guard by Nijem. At the end of the day, despite Dariush’s grit and toughness he couldn’t hold out and succumbed to the TKO.
Result: Ramsey Nijem def Beneil Dariush by TKO at 4:20 of Round 1
UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson – Preliminary Card Recap (Fight Pass)
265 lbs.: Jared Rosholt vs Daniel Omielańczuk
Many people probably think this heavyweight fight was boring. It was a 15 minute grappling match which is not great for spectators. Rosholt spent his time on top unable to finish Omielanczuk while Omielanczuk couldn’t unbalance Rosholt and ultimately lost the fight. This wasn’t what we normally hope for with two heavyweights.
Result: Jared Rosholt def Daniel Omielanczuk by Unanimous Decision
185 lbs.: Thales Leites vs Trevor Smith
This middleweight fight was an exciting blow out. We expected to see Trevor Smith mount a defense against Leites and eventually get worn out by him but Leites didn’t seem to want to break a sweat and got the TKO victory in under a minute. Leites is now on a 6 fight winning streak so hopefully we get to see him continue picking up speed.
Result: Thales Leites def. Trevor Smith by TKO round 1:45 seconds
In this bout we saw the two fresh, tough featherweights Jim Alers and Alan Omers battle it out. After a tough battle Alers received the nod from the judges with a split decision victory. Alers is now on a 9 fight streak and we should expect exciting things from him.
Result: Jim Alers def. Alan Omers by split decision
135 lbs.: Rani Yahya vs Johnny Bedford
This bantamweight fight didn’t go the way we had hoped, there was an early accidental head butt and Yahya was unable (or unwilling) to continue. It was an unfortunate incident that, coupled with Andrew Craig being rendered unable to fight due to sickness left Jared Rosholt as the only Texas-based fighter representing the state on the card. Next time!
Result: No Contest due to Accidental Head butt