This is the UFC Fight Night 39 live blog for Clay Guida vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri, a featherweight bout at Friday’s UFC event at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Guida, who has lost three of his past five fights, will face Kawajiri, who won his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 34, on the main card.
Check out the UFC Fight Night 39 live blog below.
More Coverage: UFC Fight Night 39 Results | UFC news
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Round 1: Marc Goddard is the third man. Kawakjiri backing up as Guida comes in, and he changes levels early and boom! He gets crushed by Guida with a big overhand right hand and was mometarily dropped. Instead of pouncing with punches, Guida goes for his back and is trying to take him down. That might have been a mistake, as Kawakjiri seems to have recovered. Nevertheless, Guida is trying to dump Kawakjiri on the mat, as he has a single leg. He’s working for it on fence, toiling, and using his knees to soften the Japanese fighter. Now Kawakjiri rolls, throws Guida, and gets Guida’s arm! Guida lifts Kawakjiri off the ground and slams him down. Still in danger with his arm out there, but now he shakes from. Guida continues to pressure Kawakjiri on the fence. He’s setting up a throw, straight trying to brute him. And he picks Kawakjiri up and slams him down head/belly first. Big slam, and came close to a spike. Kawakjiri back up, and right back into the same position — Guida going low on the crotch trying to dump Kawakjiri again. Kawakjiri holding his wrists, keeping the thing under control. Guida gets hit with a short elbow just as Kawakjiri tries to take him down, and now Kawakjiri lifts Guida off the canvas and slams HIM down. This is a crazy back and forth fight. Guida is fishing for a kimura as Kawakjiri moves into mount. Kawakjiri spins off, and the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R1 for Guida, 10-9.
Round 2: Guida out quick, and Kawakjiri with a snapping right. They trade at center, and nothing doing. Kawakjiri comes in for a takedown, but Guida thwarts and all in one motion then shoots in for his own takedown, and drives Kawakjiri into the fence. After five seconds of work, he drops Kawakjiri down. Once again, Kawakjiri back up on fence, and trying to get that kimura. He torques it just enough to send the dervish into a somersault, and they separate. Back to center. A lot of frenetic energy on display here. Guida puts his head down and bullrushes into Kawakjiri’s waist, and takes him down. A little blood above Guida’s eye. Kawakjiri back up on fence, but Guida has his back on fence, staying on him like velcro. Kawakjiri still with kimura threat in play, and as they tumble to ground he loses his grip. Guida right back to seatbelt on Kawakjiri, now with a footstomp. Guida drops to a knee, and he tries to hoist Kawakjiri off the fence. Kawakjiri with a great center of gravity, and he lands a couple of sharp south elbows. Kawakjiri dumps Guida to the ground, headfirst, but Guida — a bundle of energy — transitions straight into side control. They scramble, and Kawakjiri scoots over to fence, gets to a knee and stands. Guida is still fastened to his back. Kawakjiri still with Guida’s wrists like a man in cuffs. Guida grunts and drives again, and as the round ends he is riding piggyback on Kawakjiri. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Guida, 10-9, (20-18 overall).
Round 3: Jab from Kawakjiri lands. Guida comes inside with low kick, and that too lands. Left hook from Guida, after a torrent of head movement. Kawakjiri comes in low, trying for takedown, and Guida sprawls and clamps onto his neck. Now he wrestled Kawakjiri face-first to mat, still with neck in his tattood arms. Big series of short elbows bouncing off of Kawakjiri’s temple, as the Japanese fighter keeps his pressure on. Guida on a knee along fence, and Kawakjiri still vying for a leg. Guida’s postures up, pushing on the back of Kawakjiri’s head. Still, Kawakjiri is dead-set on finishing what he started, and keeps on Guida, now lifting his left arm towards waist. Guida able to get back up, and they swing obnoxiously at center. Kawakjiri with head down, huffing some air, and Guida kisses a short left off his chin. Now Guida wraps himself around Kawakjiri’s waist again, and once again, as has been the case all fight, Kawakjiri grabs his wrists to threaten the kimura. Guida lifts Kawakjiri up and slams him down, but Kawakjiri has his neck. Guillotine slips out though, and the relentless Guida stays on him. It’s a scramble, as Guida now slips to the side and lands a couple of big knees to Kawakjiri’s side. The fight ends, and Guida does a hot lap around the cage, smiting his chest and showing he has plenty of fight left in him. He lets out a belch. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Guida, 10-9 (30-27 overall for Guida).
UFC Fight Night 39 official results: Clay Guida def. Tatsuya Kawajiri via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)