LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on stage reporting live from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 39 event, and you can join us for live action and official results starting at 6:00 PM ET (3:00 PM PT).
UFC on ESPN 39 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card is televised on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
In the main event, former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (31-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC) takes on rising champion Rafael Fiziev (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC). In the co-main event, Caio Borralho (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meets Armen Petrosyan (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at middleweight.
Follow our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 6:00 PM ET for the prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and 9:00 PM ET for the main card on ESPN/ESPN+.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our 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 battles, everyone.
Saidyokub Kahramonov vs. Ronnie Lawrence
Round 1 – They touch gloves and immediately exchange blows. Moments later, Kahramonov lands a nice right. Lawrence catches Kahramonov after a leg kick and starts looking to take the fight to the mat. They scramble for position and Kahramonov pins Lawrence against the fence. Kahramonov then gets 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 hammer blows, but Lawrence gets to his feet. The moment is short-lived, however, as Kahramonov hangs on to him, retaining the clinch and bringing the fight back to the ground. Lawrence works his way back to his feet, but they remain steadfast. Kahramonov eats a few knees to the body before getting another takedown, ending 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 Kahramonov.
Round 2 – Kahramonov lands a nice head kick as one of the first shots of the round. Lawrence looks for a spinning kick but misses wildly. They trade clean shots. Lawrence lands a nice uppercut, but Kahramonov shoots for a takedown moments later. He gets Lawrence to his knees and decides to land some hard punches on the fence before Lawrence tries to get back to his feet. Kahramonov pulls him back down, this time onto his back. From half guard, Kahramonov lands some short jabs and tries to isolate Lawrence’s left hand. Lawrence returned to full guard for a moment, but Kahramonov quickly submitted to return to half guard. Lawrence finds a gap and gets to his feet. They stay in the clinch and this time Lawrence gets a takedown. However, he was unable to secure the position for long as Kahramonov quickly rose to his feet and pinned Lawrence against the cage in the clinch. Kahramonov looks for a powerful header just before the horn, but fails. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kahramonov.
Round 3 – Lawrence starts the final round with a nice spinning kick to the body. He tries for another one, this one goes high, but Kahramonov was ready for it and got out. Kahramonov looked for another takedown, and Lawrence tried to mount and locked in the omoplata. He is gone and Kahramonov finds himself at the top of the guard. Lawrence held back for a moment before trying to post and stand up. They collide again, but Kahramonov ends up on his back. Lawrence gets to his feet, but Kahramonov sticks to him like glue and drags the fight back to the mat. Lawrence was able to get Kahramonov off his back and control him from the side, eventually regaining full guard. Kahramonov stays 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 decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)Pictures: UFC on ESPN 39: The best photos from Las VegasRecords: Saidyokub Kakhramonov (10-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Ronnie Lawrence (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)division: LightweightBroadcasting: ESPN/ESPN+Referee: Chris TognoniJudging: Sal D’Amato (30-27), Yunichiro Kamijo (30-27), Tony Weeks (30-26)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Carl Roberson
Round 1 – They start trading hard shots, but a kick from Nzechukwu goes south, causing a pause in the action. They go back to it and Nzechukwu defends a takedown attempt from Roberson well, initially silencing him and then threatening a guillotine attempt. They eventually squared off against the cage, with Nzechukwu pinning Roberson against the fence before hitting a takedown of his own. Nzechukwu came from behind and slid his left hand under the chin to threaten a choke. Roberson gave up on the attempt, but Nzechukwu regained back position and started with a neck crank. Roberson found room to stand up, but Nzechukwu quickly put his back on the canvas. There was a choke attempt on D’Arce for a moment, but then Nzechukwu switched to back control again and looked for another choke. Roberson got his back against the fence and got back to his feet, but Nzechukwu didn’t give him any room to breathe in the clinch. Roberson reversed his position in the final seconds, but nothing came 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 rushed forward with punches and used the moment to get a takedown. Roberson tries to get to his feet but Nzechukwu adjusts and secures the position. Heavy body shots from Nzechukwu as Roberson is in a seated position with his back to the fence and his legs wrapped by Nzechukwu. Roberson tries to break out and get to his feet, but Nzechukwu calmly maintains top control as he receives instructions from his trainer, who is just on the other side of the fence. Nzechukwu gets his back again and looks for a choke. He gives up and takes the top position 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 Nzechukwu fires back. Roberson circles and Nzechukwu looks for a kick and then closes the distance to get another takedown. This time, Nzechukwu spins into a full mount. Nzechukwu almost loses the position as Roberson tries to work free but adjusts and locks in an arm triangle choke. Roberson defends him and Nzechukwu picks up heavy punches and elbows from top position. He continues to bombard them with no response and referee Herb Dean calls for a stoppage of the fight. Strong finish for Nzechukwu.
Result: Kennedy Nzechukwu won. Carl Roberson by TKO (elbows) – Round 3, 2:19Summary: UFC on ESPN 39 video: Kennedy Nzechukwu TKOs Karl Roberson in fourth straight lossPictures: UFC on ESPN 39: The best photos from Las VegasRecords: Kennedy Nzechukwu (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Carl Roberson (9-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC)division: Light HeavyweightBroadcasting: ESPN/ESPN+Referee: Herb DeanJudging: Douglas Crosby, Adalaide Bird, Junichiro Kamijo
Gareth Armfield v David Onama
Round 1 – Fighters touch gloves and begin trying to find range with strikes. Armfield lands a quick combination of punches. Onama lands a body kick moments later. Armfield jabs and presses Onama against 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 arm block on the way down, but Armfield is wise to get out of harm’s way. He stays on top for a moment, but Onama gets to his feet and they both go back to the center. They go back to trading blows and Armfield lands a nice left to take Onama off balance. More punches are exchanged, with Armfield’s punches landing a bit more cleanly. Onama lands a body kick but Armfield blocks and the two trade more blows. Armfield tags back in, pinning Onama against the cage. Onama breaks free and lands a nice kick on the exit. In the final seconds, Onama makes a nice combination. MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Armfield.
Round 2 – They touch gloves again and go back to trading blows in the center of the cage. Onama adds some kicks and then body shots. Armfield adds a kick of his own, followed by a punch. More punches for both. Body kick is almost caught by Onama. Armfield looks for a takedown, but Onama ducks and climbs to the back. Armfield gets to his feet and turns around, but Onama kicks out the legs and tosses him back into a back position. He goes for the body triangle, but Armfield prevents it. However, Onama uses the movement to his advantage and sees the opening for an arm triangle. He locks it tight and after adjusting his hips and tightening his grip, pulls Armfield out.
Result: David Onama defeated Garrett Armfield via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 3:13Summary: UFC on ESPN 39 video: David Onama sleeps Garrett Armfield with a smooth arm triangle submissionPictures: UFC on ESPN 39: The best photos from Las VegasRecords: Garrett Armfield (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), David Onama (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)division: Light weightBroadcasting: ESPN/ESPN+Referee: Mike BeltranJudging: Mike Bell, Douglas Crosby, Anthony Maness
Courtney Casey vs. Antonina Shevchenko
Round 1 – Shevchenko opens the action with some light leg kicks. Casey responds with one of his own as they try to find the range. Shevchenko lands some arm punches and a side kick to the body. Casey lands a body kick but is met with a kick…
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