UFC Fight Night 39 Results: ‘Henderson vs. Shogun 2’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Godofredo Castro vs. Noad Lahat

Round 1

Castro lands an uppercut that backs up Lahat, who retaliates with a right hand. The Brazilian stuffs an early takedown attempt and shoves Lahat away. Castro starts swinging wild punches and falls to the mat, but he pops back to his feet before Lahat can grab hold. Lahat sends a straight right down the center, then pulls the Thai plum and hits “Pepey” with a pair of hard knees to the gut. An overhand right from Castro sends Lahat to his knees momentarily. As he stands, Castro looks to hold him against the fence, but Lahat pushes him off at the midway point of the opening round.

Pepey charges forward with a double flying knee, the second of which catches Lahat on the chin and sends him slumping to the base of the fence. Referee Wernei Cardoso rushes in before Castro can add any more damage.

The Official Result

Godofredo Castro def. Noad Lahat via KO (Flying Knee) R1 2:39

Francimar Barroso vs. Hans Stringer

Round 1

Barroso throws a kick at the body of Stringer, followed by a left hand to the gut. He catches a kick from Stringer and trips the Dutchman to the ground, then stands over him and kicks at Stringer’s legs. Referee Mario Yamasaki lets Barroso do this for a few seconds before ordering Stringer back to his feet. Stringer walks forward and drops Barroso with a right hand behind the ear, and now it’s Stringer on top in Barroso’s guard. Stringer postures up, looking to rough up the Brazilian with elbows and punches while passing to half guard on Barroso’s left side. Barroso reclaims full guard but eats a couple hard punches for his trouble. Stringer allows Barroso to stand with just under two minutes remaining, then comes back in to press Barroso against the cage and spin him down again. This time, Barroso is quick to stand and, after taking another right hand on this cheek, pushes Stringer against the fence. Stringer reverses, looking to throw knees to the body but can’t get the space. Stringer does find success with elbows in the clinch in the last minute of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Stringer
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Stringer
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Stringer

Round 2

Barroso gets off a hard leg kick and one to the body before Stringer closes the distance and muscles him against the fence with an underhook. Barroso reverses after a minute, doesn’t do anything with the position, and now Stringer shoves him off. Another body kick connects for Barroso, and again Stringer comes to clinch. Stringer tries to execute a lateral drop takedown and winds up on his back with Barroso in his butterfly guard. After scooting backward to the fence, Stringer works his way back to his feet. The 205ers wind up back in the clinch, where Stringer is warned by the ref to mind where his knees are landing.

Barroso lands a pair of hard hands and stuffs a bad double-leg shot from Stringer, and they clinch again. This time, Yamasaki doesn’t let them stay there long before splitting them up. Stringer is swinging for the fences now, while Barroso sits back, wanting to counter. It’s Barroso who lands big with an uppercut that sends Stringer backward. Stringer charges in to stick a straight left in Barroso’s face, then dodges a high kick from the Brazilian at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Barroso
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Barroso
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Barroso

Round 3

Stringer steps into the pocket and gets clipped with a counter left hook as Barroso steps out. Another left connects for Barroso, answered by a good overhand right on the end of a Stringer combo. Stringer touches Barroso’s face with a wide right before wrapping up “Bodao” on the fence. Barroso pops Stringer with a couple knees to the body, and Stringer answers with a pair of left hands up top. Referee Yamasaki breaks up the fighters with 2:45 left in the fight. Stringer takes a few seconds and then comes in to shove Barroso against the cage again. Barroso slips out and circles away, and now he’s nodding at Stringer, talking to him. Barroso finds the left hook counter again, and the light heavyweights trade leg kicks. Barroso shoots a single, gets stood up and put on the cage. They fight off the fence and Barroso gets a trip takedown with 35 seconds on the clock. Barroso goes body-head with short punches from the top, then postures up to pop Stringer with a couple left hands just as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Stringer (29-28 Stringer)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Barroso (29-28 Barroso)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10 (29-29 Draw)

The Official Result

Hans Stringer def. Francimar Barroso via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Kenny Robertson vs. Thiago de Oliveira Perpetuo

Round 1

Perpetuo catches a head kick and rushes Robertson to the ground, stacking up the American at the base of the fence. Robertson sits up and tries to jump on Perpetuo’s back; he can’t, but he’s able to get back to his feet and score a takedown of his own. Robertson moves straight to full mount, pinning down Perpetuo’s right arm in the process and dropping punches which force the Brazilian to roll over. Perpetuo is busted up, bleeding from his right eye, and the trouble gets worse as Robertson pulls him backward with a deep rear-naked choke.

Perpetuo resists at first, but once Robertson adjusts and tightens the choke, he’s forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Kenny Robertson def. Thiago Perpetuo via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:45

Jussier da Silva vs. Scott Jorgensen

Round 1

Jorgensen lands an early right hand around the outside, resets and tags “Formiga” with a left as he comes in. Da Silva wraps up Jorgensen and throws him to the ground, but Jorgensen is quickly back on his feet. The flyweights tie up in the center of the cage, da Silva looking for a trip. He can’t get it, and Jorgensen separates with another right hand. Formiga takes an uppercut as he comes in to clinch again. Da Silva scores with a knee to the body; Jorgensen steps in to punch with his head down and hits the ground after a clash of heads.

Formiga wastes no time in leaping on Jorgensen’s back and cinching up a body triangle, then applying a deep rear-naked choke. Jorgensen gets to his knees but is pulled backward and then taps out as da Silva squeezes tight on the choke.

The Official Result

Jussier da Silva def. Scott Jorgensen via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:07

Ronny Markes vs. Thiago Santos

Round 1

Markes takes the center of the cage in the orthodox stance, while southpaw Santos circles the outside. A thudding liver kick sends Markes to the ground, falling backward and trying to pull guard. Santos stands over him and unloads with ferocious, left-handed hammer fists which force referee Mario Yamasaki into action.

The Official Result

Thiago Santos def. Ronny Markes via TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches) R1 0:53

Rony Mariano Bezerra vs. Steven Siler

Round 1

Siler gets to work early, picking at the base of “Rony Jason” with leg kicks. The Brazilian takes the center of the cage and tries to navigate past his opponent’s rangy jab. Bezerra steps in with an overhand right that wobbles Siler and follows up with a clipping left hook. Siler falls to his back, and before Bezerra can pounce, referee Wernei Cardoso steps in. Siler protests, but it’s too late and the fight is stopped.

The Official Result

Rony Mariano Bezerra def. Steven Siler via TKO (Punches) R1 1:17

Mairbek Taisumov vs. Michel Richard Cunha dos Prazeres

Round 1

Both lightweights land leg kicks in the tense opening minute, then Prazeres ducks inside to connect with a hard right hand. The Brazilian grabs hold of Taisumov and drags him to the ground in the center of the cage, then works his way to north-south position. Taisumov creates space and explodes to his feet, and now Prazeres shoves him against the fence midway through the round. Taisumov resists a takedown by grabbing the fence, but Prazeres gets it on the second effort. Prazeres briefly achieves full mount but loses it when he leans to one side for a possible armbar attempt and gets bucked off. Now it’s half guard for Prazeres, but Taisumov bucks him off and Prazeres falls to his back. As Taisumov charges forward, he lands an illegal kick to the head of Prazeres. Referee Mario Yamasaki deducts one point from Taisumov just before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Prazeres
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Prazeres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Prazeres

Round 2

Taisumov is dropped with an early right hand but powers back to his feet and leaves Prazeres on the mat. Taisumov stands over the Brazilian, kicking at his legs and looking for an opportunity before referee Yamasaki stands Prazeres back up. Prazeres shoots a double-leg against the fence and Taisumov grabs the fence again. Referee Yamasaki takes away one point for the foul by Taisumov, and the lightweights resume with half the round remaining. Both men land punches in the next exchange, but then Prazeres hits Taisumov with a head kick and a clubbing overhand right.

Prazeres is staying out of range, picking at Taisumov with low kicks and single punches, and then getting out of the way of Taisumov’s counter fire.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Prazeres
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Prazeres
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Prazeres

Round 3

Taisumov turns Prazeres’ head with a right cross, but the Brazilian answers back with one of his own before shooting for a takedown. Taisumov resists and circles out, only to be pushed against the fence on the other side of the cage a few moments later. As Prazeres works to complete the takedown, Taisumov grabs the fence again; referee Yamasaki does not deduct a point but warns Taisumov that another infraction will mean a disqualification. Taisumov steps into the pocket with a good uppercut and eats a counter right hook. Prazeres tags the Russian with another clean right hand on the back foot. Taisumov stifles Prazeres’ next takedown attempt without the help of the cage, but the “Tractor” stays after it and eventually drags Taisumov to the ground. Taisumov gets up and tries to walk down Prazeres, who catches him coming in with a hard right hand. Down to the final 20 seconds now and Taisumov lets Prazeres off the fence to land the last punch of the fight, a left hand that gets a smile from Prazeres after the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Prazeres (30-25 Prazeres)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Prazeres (30-25 Prazeres)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Prazeres (30-25 Prazeres)

The Official Result

Michel Prazeres def. Mairbek Taisumov via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25) R3 5:00

Fabio Maldonado vs. Gian Villante

Round 1

Villante opens with a leg kick and then clinches up with Maldonado as the Brazilian comes forward throwing punches. A quick takedown goes for Villante, who pulls Maldonado away from the fence and sets up in side control on his opponent’s right side. Maldonado rolls to his knees and puts his right side to the fence, so Villante wraps up his waist and drives knees into Maldonado’s leg. Maldonado gets to his feet and is immediately tossed back down, and Villante passes to side control with just under two minutes left in the round. Maldonado works to regain guard and does well to avoid punishment from Villante’s elbows, but nonetheless he remains stuck underneath for the final 90 seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Villante
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Villante
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Villante

Round 2

Villante hits Maldonado with a clean right hook at the start of round three, but Maldonado reclaims some ground in the next 30 seconds by walking forward on the American with combinations. One minute into the round, Maldonado has his jab working, flashing his left hand in Villante’s face three times in quick succession. Villante grabs a rear waistlock and pulls Maldonado to the ground. Maldonado works his way out of the bad position but eats three hard knees from Villante on the way up. Maldonado comes back with some hard body shots and hooks upstairs, moving Villante around the cage.

Maldonado is leaking blood from his hairline, covering his face, but he’s getting the better of the exchanges now, inside the last two minutes of the round. Villante is on his back foot, but he manages to stuff a shot. Both guys look exhausted as they stand up from the takedown attempt. Maldonado keeps walking forward, rocking Villante with three- and four-punch combos to the body and head. By the end of the round, Villante is standing with his hands on his hips while he absorbs more punches.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Maldonado
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Maldonado
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Maldonado

Round 3

Maldonado follows a leg kick with a three-piece combo that finishes with a hard left hook. Villante shoots in and winds up on the canvas in the middle of the cage as Maldonado limp-legs away. More body-head combinations score for Maldonado, who easily thwarts another takedown try. Maldonado sprawls on yet another shot, hits Villante with a couple shots to the body and shrugs as he stands up. Villante’s hands are by his side and Maldonado is on the move, keeping the pressure on the New Yorker as they move around the outside. When Villante finally connects with a clean right, Maldonado points at his face and waves him forward. A combination drops Villante near the fence, and Maldonado walks off with his hands raised, only to realize that referee Herb Dean is not stepping in. Villante shoots a desperate takedown, gets stuffed and has his head snapped back with a violent uppercut. More punches have Villante out on his feet, but he looks to the ref as if to ask him to allow the fight to go on. Dean is watching closely as a near-unconscious Villante eats more punches and shoots one last shot. Villante is saved by the bell, and this one is going to the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Maldonado (29-27 Maldonado)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Maldonado (29-27 Maldonado)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Maldonado (29-27 Maldonado)

The Official Result

Fabio Maldonado def. Gian Villante via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) R3 5:00

Leonardo Santos vs. Norman Parke

Round 1

Parke flashes front kicks up the center while Santos throws at his opponent’s legs in the opening moments. A few moments later, Parke catches a finger in the eye from the outstretched hand of Santos. It doesn’t take long for Parke to recover, and the lightweights get back to work. Santos lands a loud kick to Parke’s body and follows with an uppercut, and now Parke wants to put the fight on the fence. Santos won’t stay there, and Parke has to chase after him. Parke, now sporting some swelling around the left eye, shoves Santos against the cage. There’s not enough action for referee Wernei Cardoso, who breaks up the fighters. Santos connects with another hard body kick and gets clinched up. Again, the ref separates the fighters for inactivity. Down to the last 30 seconds of the round, and Parke is getting through with some of the kicks he’s been throwing all round. He shoots for one last takedown but can’t finish it.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Santos
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Santos

Round 2

Santos strikes with an uppercut and takes a hard left hook counter from Parke. A few seconds later, another uppercut from Santos has Parke looking for the clinch on the fence. Santos waits it out the fighters are separated. Parke zaps Santos with an overhand left and then goes back to the familiar position up against the cage. Parke lifts up Santos, trying for a takedown, but he’s stopped midway. Referee Cardoso takes one point from Parke for grabbing Santos’ shorts during the takedown attempt. When the fight resumes, Santos stuffs the next shot, and then another.

Parke keeps hold of the Brazilian, though, and holds Santos on the fence for a minute, throwing sporadic punches. Santos circles out, only to be clinched with again. This time, Parke drills Santos with a hard knee up the center and a standing elbow. Santos is defending the takedown but not throwing much offense in Parke’s direction as they work on the cage. Parke is still trying for the takedown when the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 9-9
TJ De Santis scores the round 9-9
Chris Nelson scores the round 9-9

Round 3

Parke brings the fight back to the fence almost immediately with another clinch. He’s doing just enough to keep the position, peppering Santos with punches and knees to the body as referee Cardoso stands nearby. Two minutes go by with Santos unable to escape Parke’s grip. Parke scores with a hard uppercut just before the fighters are separated. Straight back to the clinch goes Parke, nearly dragging Santos to the mat. When Parke changes levels for a double-leg, Santos stands him up and lands a few knees to the body. The lightweights are split up again and both men begin throwing and landing punches in the center of the cage. It lasts only a few seconds, as Parke soon shoves Santos to the fence. They spend the final minute there, with Parke on the outside, trying to complete a single-leg.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Parke (28-28 Draw)
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Parke (28-28 Draw)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Parke (28-28 Draw)

The Official Result

Leonardo Santos vs. Norman Parke is a Majority Draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-27 Santos) R3 5:00

C.B. Dollaway vs. Cezar Ferreira

Round 1

Ferreira scores with a pair of cracking left hands and a grazing left high kick in the opening 20 seconds. Dollaway comes right back with a hard right hand, prompting Ferreira to charge ahead, swinging wild punches which don’t connect. Dollaway puts a right hand behind Ferreira’s ear, and “Mutante” hits the ground. A couple more punches put Ferreira out cold.

The Official Result

C.B. Dollaway def. Cezar Ferreira via KO (Punches) R1 0:39

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Dan Henderson

Round 1

Referee Herb Dean is the third man in the cage for tonight’s light heavyweight main event. The fighters touch gloves in the center of the cage, then begin twitching and feinting from a couple feet away. Henderson grazes “Shogun” with his first overhand right; Rua flicks out a few jabs to test the range, can’t find Henderson’s face. Rua starts landing some hard leg kicks, sticks a jab in Henderson’s face and backs out before “Hendo” can retaliate. Another leg kick from Rua draws a return kick. Henderson shoots in, gets caught in a headlock and stands back up. The 205ers trade leg kicks, with Rua landing the hard shots before fending off another level change. Rua puts Henderson on the cage briefly and sends a knee to the American’s breadbasket. Henderson stumbles Rua with a left hook and blitzes him against the cage, but Rua turns the tide with a right hook, then a left sends Hendo the canvas. Rua is blasting away with right hands to the kneeling Henderson, who somehow gets back to his feet. Rua takes him down again and resumes the pounding, and now referee Dean is having a close look. Henderson wraps up Rua from underneath and survives to hear the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Rua
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-8 Rua
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Rua

Round 2

Henderson takes another hard shot behind the ear and gets clinched against the fence. Rua holds him there for 20 or 30 seconds, not throwing much in the tie-up before releasing. Both men lower their heads and throw hands, and both men appear to land in the pocket. Henderson shoots wildly and gets tossed against the cage, but he scrambles back up. Rua blasts the American with a massive uppercut and goes to the ground in Henderson’s closed guard. The pace slows as Rua throws few punches on top and Henderson just holds on underneath. Referee Dean stands the fighters up with about 30 seconds remaining, but there is not much more action.

Sherdog Scores

Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Rua
TJ De Santis scores the round 10-9 Rua
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rua

Round 3

Henderson puts his head down and charges ahead, connecting with an overhand right as he rushes Rua against the fence. Shogun eats the punch and slips out to resume his leg-kicking and jabbing. Henderson changes level and gets stood up. As the fighters separate, Hendo unloads with a thunderous right hand that lands right on Rua’s nose and mouth and sends the Brazilian tumbling over backwards. Henderson pounces and lands five or six more punches -- some to the back of the head -- as Rua clings to his leg. Henderson glances up at the ref, looking for the stoppage, and Dean steps in to end the fight.

The Official Result

Dan Henderson def. Mauricio Rua via TKO (Punches) R3 1:31