UFC Fight Night 39 play-by-play and live results

ABU DHABI – MMAjunkie is on scene and reporting live from today’s UFC Fight Night 39 event, and you can get live play-by-play and official results here beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m. ET (9:15 a.m. PT).

The card, which features a Roy Nelson vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira heavyweight headliner, takes place at du Arena in Abu Dhabi. The entire event streams on UFC Fight Pass.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC Fight Night 39 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

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JOHNNY BEDFORD (19-10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) VS. RANI YAHYA (19-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Bedford takes the center to start as Yahya moves right on the outside. Lateral movement from Yahya before he dives on a takedown. Bedford sprawls out well, and we reset. Yahya drives forward, and the two clash heads. Yahya is stunned. Bedford is, too, but he recovers and punches for what he thinks is a finish. Instead, the fight is ruled a no contest. Bedford is incensed at the call, but it appears to be the right decision.

Result: Johnny Bedford vs. Rani Yahya is declared a no contest (accidental head butt) – Round 1, 0:39
Recap: Johnny Bedford vs. Rani Yahya ends in 39-second no-contest
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Neil Hall

JIM ALERS (19-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) VS. ALAN OMER (12-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Alers misses with a big right early. They’re in the pocket and looking to trade early. Omer misses on a turning kick, and Alers pushes him to the fence. Nothing there, so he backs away. Alers lands a low kick that pushes his opponent off-balance. Omer answer back with a few wild, swinging punches. Both fighters busy to start. Omer with a kick to the legs. Punches traded inside. Two minutes remain. Alers delivering the better blows, but Omer answering frequently. They move into the clinch. Omer turns off the cage. He drives a few nice knees inside. Alers finally pushes free. Omer lands a big left hand. He’s having some success late. Very close round, but MMAjunkie leans slightly toward Alers, 10-9.

Round 2 – Alers pushes quickly forward, but he’s dropped by an Omer punch. Omer rushes to capitalize, and Alers tries to recover underneath. Crowd chants for Omer. He backs away and looks to strike, but Alers scrambles free. Alers looks to have recovered a bit. Omer blasts him with a kick to the body, and Alers looks hurt. Still he fires a right hand and drops Omer. Great action two minutes into the round. Omer in guard underneath. Alers postures up and drives in a few punches. Alers racking up points in the dominant position. He’s not doing a ton of damage though. Omer finally crawls back to his feet, and they jockey for position in the clinch. Omer doing some dirty boxing, but Alers is holding, and referee Marc Goddard breaks them apart. Alers pumps a jab on the restart. Omer fires an uppercut. Round ends, and MMAjunkie leans toward Alers, 10-9.

Round 3 – Been a good fight through two rounds. Scores could be anywhere. Omer comes out firing kicks. Alers shoots in for a takedown. He misses at first, but a second effort gets the action to the floor. Omer looking to scramble underneath, and he does finally get back to his feet. Alers has an underhook, but t’s Omer who transitions and starts looking for his own takedown. Omer with a few knees inside, but Alers spins him back against the cage. Alers lands a few knees and shoots on a takedown. Omer tries to catch him with a few elbows, but he’s taken to the canvas. Omer with an open guard. Both fighters seem exhausted after the quick pace to start. Alers postures up and punches. Omer looks to get his legs high, but time is ticking away. One minute left. Goddard decides to stand them up with a little more than 30 seconds left. Omer comes out energized and looking to throw. Get gets a takedown in the final few seconds, but MMAjunkie gives the round to Alers, 10-9, and awards him the fight 30-27. No score would surprise here, with a very close rounds throughout.

Result: Jim Alers def. Alan Omer via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap: Jim Alers edges Alan Omer in action-packed bout
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard

THALES LEITES (23-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) VS. TREVOR SMITH (11-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Round 1 – Leites on the outside as Smith hands his hands low and pumps put a jab. Leites lands a big right hand, and Smith is hurt. Leites sees it and fires again. Smith topples to the floor, and Leites pounces with punches to seal the deal. Quick finish.

Result: Thales Leites def. Trevor Smith via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:45
Recap: Thales Leites takes out Trevor Smith in 45 seconds
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Neil Hall

DANIEL OMIELANCZUK (16-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) VS. JARED ROSHOLT (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Rosholt leaps in with a left hand. Omielanczuk licks the legs, but Rosholt answers to the body. Omielanczuk holding the center. Rosholt leaps forward with punches and drives in for a takedown. Omielanczuk tries to lock in a guillotine as he falls. Rosholt’s neck is trapped, but there’s no real pressure on the hold, so he punches away at the body. Omielanczuk hangs on for quite some time but finally lets go. Rosholt in control from the top. He just misses a huge left hand. Two minutes remain. Omielanczuk is flat on his back. Rosholt just grinding away from the top. It’s not pretty, but it’s certainly effective. Rosholt postures up and punches. Omielanczuk tries to turn for a leg. It’s not there. Rosholt heavy on top. He looks to isolate the left arm, but settles for striking instead. Omielanczuk turns to his knees, and Rosholt wants the back but has to settle for getting back to top position. Round ends there, and MMAjunkie gives it to Rosholt, 10-9.

Round 2 – Omielanczuk opens with a kick. Rosholt tries to rush in on a takedown, but Omielanczuk defends it well and pushes him away. Rosholt shoots immediately back inside and gets a takedown, pushing Omielanczuk’s legs away as he falls and getting immediately to side control. Referee Marc Goddard lets them know to stay busy. Omielanczuk trying to slow things down from underneath. Rosholt sneaking a knee to the body every now and then, but crowd is starting to call for some more action. Goddard offers another warning. Rosholt postures and drive a big knee to the body. Rosholt is in his corner getting advice, but he decides to back away. Rosholt scores with a punch to the body. Omielanczuk has hands completely down, but he lands a nice right hand before they clinch and he falls easily to the floor. Rosholt stays on op and looks to strike. Omielanczuk looks for a kimura in the final seconds and s then warned for an elbow to the back of the head. Round ends, and it’s 10-9 Rosholt.

Round 3 – Couple of big shots traded to start before they quickly push into a clinch and Omielanczuk is again on his back. Rosholt moves to mount, and Omielanczuk turns and exposes his back. Knee to the body for Rosholt. Omielanczuk is stuck on the floor. Rosholt isn’t giving him any room to breathe. Omielanczuk trying to roll and create some space to escape, but Rosholt smothering him. Crowd booing a bit, not happy with the blue-collar work. Rosholt responds by punching a few times, but there’s nothing pretty about the efforts. Rosholt settles in side control. His corner is calling for a crucifix. One minute left. Omielanczuk has nothing in response, but Rosholt isn’t exactly earning new fans. Rosholt moves to north-south and tries to sink in a choke. He doesn’t get the finish, and the crowd boos at the bell. MMAjunkie gives it to Rosholt, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27.

Result: Jared Rosholt def. Daniel Omielanczuk via unanimous decision (no scores announced)
Recap: Jared Rosholt cruises in win over Daniel Omielanczuk
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard

BENEIL DARIUSH (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) VS. RAMSEY NIJEM (9-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC)

Round 1 – Dariush with jab as Nijem looks to rush in. Nijem backs away, and Dariush fires out a front kick that comes up short. Dariush kicks the body, and Nijem catches it and pushes him to the floor. Nijem decides not to test the ground just yet, and he allows Dariush to stand. Nijem moving left on the outside. He kicks just as Dariush drops for a takedown. He still drives through it, and they clinch against the cage, but nothing there. Nijem backs away to reset. He’s chopping the leg and moving away. Dariush giving chase for now from the center. Nijem lands a short left. Dariush in trouble, and Nijem sees it. He drops Dariush and rushes forward and strikes on the ground before latching in a guillotine. He can’t finish, it, so Nijem starts punching again. Referee Neil Hall giving Dariush every benefit right now. Dariush somehow turns for a leg, but Nijem spins through it. Nijem in mount. Dariush turns, but he’s getting blasted right now. Punches continue to come through, and Hall finally stops the fight. Incredible finish.

Result: Ramsey Nijem def. Beneil Dariush via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:20
Recap: Ramsey Nijem dazzles in win over Beneil Dariush
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Neil Hall

JOHN HOWARD (22-9 MMA, 6-4 UFC) VS. RYAN LAFLARE (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC)

Round 1 – Touch of gloves, and Howard takes the center. LaFlare moving his head well, changing levels. He scores with a nice kick to the body, as well as a second before driving in on a takedown. He moves quickly to advance position, eventually working out to side control. Howard tries to scramble free, but LaFlare wraps the neck and looks to set up a choke. Howard feels it and defends well, eventually getting all the way back to his feet in the scramble. on the restart, Howard pushes through a LaFlare kick to get him down, but LaFlare stands right back up. LaFlare slips a big Howard punch and looks for a takedown. He gets a scramble and again looks to attack the neck. Howard again stays safe and works free. Punches traded by both. LaFlare adds some kicks, as well. Howard now chops the legs. Round ends on the feet, and MMAjunkie gives it to LaFlare, 10-9.

Round 2 – LaFlare eats a few big shots to open the round, and he clinches to slow things down. This time, it’s Howard with the takedown. LaFlare with half-guard underneath, but he hits nifty sweep to get back to top position. Wild scramble, and te fighters are back on their feet. Both fighters visibly tiring right now, and they grind it out in the clinch. LaFlare lands a knee to the groin, and Howard yells and falls to the floor. After quite a bit of delay, Howard decides to fight on, though he’s in obvious pain. LaFlare scores a quick takedown on the restart. Howard scrambles back up. He scores a nice right hand, but LaFlare walks through it, and they move into the clinch. Round ends with a few traded shots. MMAjunkie gives it to LaFlare, 10-9.

Round 3 – Howard out quickly again, but LaFlare scores a quick takedown. He can’t do much with the position, and they move back to the feet. Quick scramble again, and Howard is really trying to push the pace. Unfortunately, LaFlare is again able to work to top position and put Howard on his back. LaFlare advances out to side control, but Howard again turns to his knees. LaFlare having trouble keeping Howard down, but he continually works himself back to superior positions. Time running out for Howard. He’s trying to roll for options, and he spins to attack the right leg. LaFlare seems comfortable in the hold and quickly pulls it free. Howard looking for something to win this fight, but LaFlare lasts through it. MMAjunkie gives LaFlare the final round, 10-9, awarding him the fight 30-27.

Result: Ryan LaFlare def. John Howard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Recap: Ryan LaFlare scrambles by John Howard
Division: Welterweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts

CLAY GUIDA (31-14 MMA, 11-8 UFC) VS. TATSUYA KAWAJIRI (33-8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Round 1 – Kawajiri misses on an early takedown but manages to land a nice right hand. Guida answers back and sends Kawajiri to the floor. Guida rushes forward to try and capitalize and ends up moving to the back. Kawajiri quickly recovers and defends the advance, and Guida has to settle for battling from the clinch. Kawajiri has hold of Guida’s arm and is looking to set up a submission. Kawajiri rolls and smoothly locks in an armbar, and Guida has to slam him to the canvas to try and shake free. Tense moments, but Guida finally shakes free. They move back to the feet, and Guida still looking for the takedown while Kawajiri latches on to the arm. Guida elevates Kawajiri and slams him to the canvas but can’t keep the action on the floor. Back in the clinch, Kawajiri again looks to set up a kimura. Guida works through it, but now it’s Kawajiri with the takedown. On his back, Guida turns immediately for his own kimura attempt. Kawajiri survives it, and MMAjunkie scores the opening round for Guida, 10-9.

Round 2 – Kawajiri out quickly, but Guida keeps a low stance to counter the takedowns. Kawajiri presses forward anyway, but Guida gets to the dominant position. Kawajiri tries again to oll and attack the arm. Guida pulls free, and they trade punches on thr feet. Kawajiri still walking forward, but he’s a step behind. Guida presses in and elevates before dumping Kawajiri to the floor. Kawajiri won’t stay there, and he goes again to the arm. He nearly gets it, but Guida counters perfectly and spins through it. Guida again looking for the takedown. Instead, it’s Kawajiri with a near piledriver. Kawajiri scrambles and briefly locks in an inverted triangle. Guida slides his head free, and they scramble back to the feet. Again, it’s Guida looking for a takedown while Kawajiri wants the kimura. Round ends there, and MMAjunkie again gives it to Guida, 10-9.

Round 3 – Guida out fast, but he catches a nice counter hook that stuns him. Still, he presses on and gets inside. Kawajiri misses on a spinning strike and comes up short on a takedown. Guida throws in quick punches as he defends. Kawajiri has the right leg trapped and doesn’t want to let it go. In the meantime, Guida just keeps himself comfortable and fires in punches when he can. Guda eventaully gets to his feet and pulls away a little more than halfway through the round. Kawajiri looks exhausted, but he’s still looking to land something special. Guida slips a huge right hand and looks for the takedown. Kawajiri turns yet again for the arm. it’s till not there, but he transitions to a guillotine. Guida elevates him and slams Kawajiri to the floor. Popping his neck free, Guida again works himself to top position. Round ends, and MMAjunkie sees it for Guida, 10-9, giving him the fight 30-27.

Result: Clay Guida def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Recap: Clay Guida tops Kawajiri, calls out McGregor, Thomson
Division: Featherweight
Rankings: Kawajiri No. 13
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard

ROY NELSON (20-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC) VS. ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA (34-9-1 MMA, 5-5 UFC)

Round 1 – Nogueira takes the center. Nelson moving around and pushes in a leaping left. Nogueira tries to grab his neck, but Nelson pull away. Nelson working a jab, and he lands a right hand. Nogueira falls to the floor. Nelson follows up but eventually backs away. Nogueira looks a little shaky when he stands. Nelson patient on the restart. Nogueira seems to have recovered well, but he’s struggling to mount much offense. Nelson with another big right that lands. Another huge right sends Nogueira on the floor. Nelson brings him back up and continues the beating. Nogueira somehow still on his feet. Big right hand comes in, and Nogueira is done. Nelson with the walk-off win. Brutal.

Result: Roy Nelson def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:37
Recap: Roy Nelson scores walk-off against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Division: Heavyweight
Rankings: Nelson No. 12, Nogueira No. 13
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Leon Roberts