UFC on ESPN 39 took place Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card is shown on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+. In the main event, former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (31-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC) faced up-and-comer Rafael Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC). In the co-feature, Caio Borralho (12-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) met Armen Petrosyan (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at middleweight. To discuss the show, be sure to check out the UFC on ESPN 39 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway) on Twitter. Enjoy the games, everyone.
Saidyokub Kakhramonov vs. Ronnie Lawrence
Round 1 – They touch gloves and immediately exchange punches. Kakhramonov lands a nice right hand moments later. Lawrence catches Kahramonov after a kick and starts looking to take the fight to the mat. They square off and Kahramonov pins Lawrence against the fence. Kakhramonov then lands a nice judo takedown and starts working from half guard. Lawrence is bleeding from the nose as he tries to control Kahramonov, preventing passes. Kahramonov lands some hard punches, but Lawrence gets back to his feet. However, the moment is short-lived as Kakhramonov stays with him, holding the clinch, and brings the fight back to the ground. Lawrence gets back to his feet, but they remain pinned. Kakhramonov eats some knees to the body before getting another takedown, ending up in side control. Lawrence keeps Kahramonov close to prevent ground and pound, and stops the action until the horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kakhramonov. Round 2 – Kahramonov lands a nice head kick as one of the first strikes of the round. Lawrence looks for a spin kick but misses wildly. They trade clean punches. Lawrence lands a nice uppercut, but Kahramonov shoots for a takedown moments later. He knees Lawrence and decides to hit two hard punches into the fence before Lawrence tries to get back to his feet. Kahramonov drags him back down, this time lifting him onto his back. From half guard, Kakhramonov lands some short jabs and tries to isolate Lawrence’s left hand. Lawrence goes back to full guard for a moment, but Kahramonov quickly switches to go back to half guard. Lawrence finds an opening and gets back to his feet. They remain stuck and this time, Lawrence pulls out. However, he can’t secure the position for long because Kakhramonov quickly gets up and pushes Lawrence against the cage in the clinch. Kahramonov looks for a big head kick right before the horn, but misses. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kakhramonov. Round 3 – Lawrence opens the final round with a nice spinning kick to the body. He tries for another, this one goes high, but Kahramonov was ready for it and dodged it. Kahramonov looking for another takedown and Lawrence tried to counter and lock in an armbar. It’s not there, and Kakhramonov ends up on top in guard. Lawrence holds for a moment before trying to post and get back to his feet. They scramble again, but Kahramonov ends up on the back. Lawrence gets to his feet, but Kahramonov sticks him like glue and drags the fight back to the mat. Lawrence is able to take Kahramonov off his back to side control and eventually regain full guard. Kahramonov remains heavy on top until the horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 Kakhramonov, giving him the fight 30-27. Result: Saidyokub Kakhramonov def. Ronnie Lawrence by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)Photos: UFC on ESPN 39: The best photos from Las VegasRegistrations: Saidyokub Kakhramonov (10-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Ronnie Lawrence (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)Division: BadambaroRelay: ESPN/ESPN+Referee: Chris TognoniJudging: Sal D’Amato (30-27), Junichiro Kamijo (30-27), Tony Weeks (30-26)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Karl Roberson
Round 1 – They start trading hard blows, but a kick from Nzechukwu goes south causing a pause in the action. They’re back at it and Nzechukwu defends a takedown attempt from Roberson well, first stuffing it and then threatening a guillotine attempt. They end up pinned against the cage, with Nzechukwu pressing Roberson against the fence before hitting a trip of his own. Nzechukwu shifted backwards and slipped his left hand under the chin to threaten a choke. Roberson backed out of the attempt, but Nzechukwu regained his position back and started with a neck crank. Roberson found room to get back to his feet, but Nzechukwu quickly put his back to the canvas. A D’Arce choke attempt was there for a moment, but Nzechukwu then switched back to back control and looked for another choke. Roberson gets his back to the fence and gets back to his feet, but Nzechukwu gives him no room to breathe in the clinch. Roberson reverses his position in the final seconds, but nothing comes of it. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Nzechukwu. Round 2 – They start trading punches and kicks to start. Roberson landed a pair of nice body kicks, but Nzechukwu attacked with punches and used the moment to get a takedown. Roberson tries to get back to his feet, but Nzechukwu adjusts and secures the position. Heavy punches to the body from Nzechukwu land as Roberson is in a seated position with his back against the fence and his legs wrapped around Nzechukwu. Roberson tries to explode and get up, but Nzechukwu calmly maintains top control as he takes instructions from his coach just on the other side of the fence. Nzechukwu takes the back again and considers a choke. He gives up and takes the top until the horn sounds. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Nzechukwu. Round 3 – They touch gloves and trade punches in the center. Roberson lands a nice inside leg kick, but is answered with punches from Nzechukwu. Roberson circles away and Nzechukwu looks for a kick and then closes the distance to get another takedown. This time, Nzechukwu comes full circle. Nzechukwu almost loses his position as Roberson tries to work free but adjusts and locks in a triangle arm choke. Roberson defends it and Nzechukwu picks up heavy punches and elbows from the top. He continues to rain down unanswered and referee Herb Dean calls for the match to be stopped. Strong finish for Nzechukwu. Result: Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Karl Roberson via TKO (elbows) – Round 3, 2:19to recap: UFC on ESPN 39 video: Kennedy Nzechukwu TKOs Karl Roberson for fourth straight lossPhotos: UFC on ESPN 39: The best photos from Las VegasRegistrations: Kennedy Nzechukwu (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Karl Roberson (9-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC)Division: Light heavyRelay: ESPN/ESPN+Referee: Herb DeanJudging: Douglas Crosby, Adalaide Byrd, Junichiro Kamijo
Gareth Armfield vs David Onama
Round 1 – The fighters touch gloves and begin trying to find the area with punches. Armfield puts together a quick punch combo. Onama lands a body kick a moment later. Armfield clinches and brings Onama to the fence, but Onama reverses and finds his way to his opponent’s back. Onama tries to take the fight to the ground, but Armfield gets back into an advantageous position and looks for a takedown of his own. Onama tries an armbar on the way down, but Armfield was wise and out of harm’s way. He stays on top for a moment, but Onama gets back to his feet and they go back to the center. They go back to trading punches and Armfield lands a nice left to throw Onama off balance. More punches are exchanged, with Armfield’s shots landing a bit cleaner. Onama goes for a body kick but Armfield blocks and they trade more punches. Armfield tightens again, pushing Onama into the cage. Onama breaks free and lands a nice punch on the way out. In the final seconds, Onama puts together a nice combination. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Armfield. Round 2 – They touch gloves again and it’s right back to the negotiations in the center of the cage. Onama adds some kicks and then hits body punches. Armfield adds a kick of his own followed by a punch. More punches land for both. A body kick is almost caught by Onama. Armfield looks for a takedown, but Onama sprawls and climbs back. Armfield gets back to his feet and turns, but Onama kicks out and drops him back, returning to the back position. He looks for the body triangle but Armfield counters. However, Onama uses the move to his advantage and sees the opening for an arm triangle. He locks it tight and after adjusting his hips and tightening his grip, he pulls Armfield out. Result: David Onama def. Garrett Armfield via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 3:13to recap: UFC on ESPN 39 video: David Onama puts Garrett Armfield to sleep with an arm triangle submissionPhotos: UFC on ESPN 39: The best photos from Las VegasRegistrations: Garrett Armfield (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), David Onama (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)Division: FeatherweightRelay: ESPN/ESPN+Referee: Mike BeltranJudging: Mike Bell, Douglas Crosby, Anthony Mannes
Courtney Casey vs. Antonina Shevchenko
Round 1 – Shevchenko opens the action with some light leg kicks. Casey counters with one of her own as they try to find the range. Shevchenko lands some punches and a side kick to the body. Casey hits a body but gets punched by Shevchenko. Casey goes back to the outside leg kick. Shevchenko lands some punches as Casey tries to push forward. A moment later, Casey lands a nice punch followed by a leg drop. Shevchenko is holding things…
