UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson Full Fight Card, Date & Details
UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson
United Arab Emirates
Main Card • Final
United States
R1, 3:37
Performance of the Night
Brazil
R3, 5:00
Fight of the Night
Japan
R3, 5:00
R1, 4:20
Performance of the Night
Prelims • Final
R3, 5:00
Poland
R1, 0:45
Iraq
R1, 0:39
Official Event Results
$50k FOTN
Official Post-Fight Bonus Awards
$50,000 Post-Fight Bonus Recipients
Fight of the Night: Clay Guida and Tatsuya Kawajiri each received $50,000 for their relentless three-round featherweight battle.
Performance of the Night: Roy Nelson earned $50,000 for his thunderous first-round overhand right knockout of heavyweight icon Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Performance of the Night: Ramsey Nijem collected $50,000 for his first-round technical knockout upset over undefeated prospect Beneil Dariush.
Reported Payouts & Disclosed Purses
Fighter Purses & Total Payout Estimates
| Fighter | Result | Base Purse | Win / Finish Bonus | Performance Bonus | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | $50,000 | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| WIN | — | — | — | — | |
| LOSS | — | — | — | — | |
| NC | — | — | — | — | |
| NC | — | — | — | — |
*Because this event took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, fighter purses were not regulated or publicly disclosed by a North American state athletic commission (such as the NSAC). Official post-fight bonus recipients (Roy Nelson, Ramsey Nijem, Clay Guida, and Tatsuya Kawajiri) received $50,000 each as announced by the UFC. In addition, Andrew Craig and Chris Camozzi received their contractual show purses after their scheduled bout was cancelled on weigh-in day due to illness.
Historic UFC Records Set
Promotional Records Established at UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson
UFC Fight Night 39 ended a 1,462-day hiatus in the United Arab Emirates, representing the UFC’s first visit to Abu Dhabi since UFC 112 in April 2010.
Roy Nelson preserved his distinction of earning every single one of his UFC victories via knockout or technical knockout, securing his 7th Octagon KO over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Roy Nelson claimed his 6th career UFC post-fight bonus award, which tied the record for the most post-fight bonus honors in UFC heavyweight history.
The card officially inaugurated the open-air du Arena on Yas Island as an international combat sports destination, drawing 7,963 spectators for a $1.8 million gate.
Ramsey Nijem scored one of the most emphatic lightweight betting upsets of 2014 by handing undefeated prospect Beneil Dariush his first professional career defeat via first-round TKO.
Johnny Bedford vs. Rani Yahya ended in an accidental headbutt No Contest at just 0:39 of Round 1, marking one of the shortest bouts in UFC bantamweight history.
This event was among the earliest international fight cards broadcast exclusively around the world on the UFC Fight Pass digital streaming platform.
Clay Guida established an exceptional 100% accuracy mark on low strikes, connecting on 22 of 22 leg kicks across 15 minutes of action against Tatsuya Kawajiri.
Former title challenger Thales Leites secured the fastest non-submission stoppage of his UFC career, dispatching Trevor Smith with punches in just 45 seconds.
Ryan LaFlare improved his career MMA record to an unblemished 11-0 (4-0 inside the Octagon) by sweeping the scorecards against seasoned veteran John Howard.
Reigning Cage Warriors featherweight champion Jim Alers made his promotional debut, winning an action-packed split decision over Iraqi competitor Alan Omer.
Wrestling standout Jared Rosholt executed three takedowns and connected on 124 total strikes against Daniel Omielanczuk, pitching a near-shutout on the judges’ scorecards (30-27, 30-26, 30-27).
When and where did UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson take place?
UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson took place on Friday, April 11, 2014, at the du Arena (Flash Forum) on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Who won the main event between Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira?
Roy Nelson defeated former PRIDE heavyweight champion and interim UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via knockout (punch) at 3:37 of Round 1.
How did Roy Nelson finish Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira?
Nelson dropped Nogueira with an overhand right early in the fight and later landed a decisive, clean right hook that rendered the Brazilian legend unconscious at 3:37 of the opening round.
Who won the co-main event between Clay Guida and Tatsuya Kawajiri?
Clay Guida defeated Japanese star Tatsuya Kawajiri via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) in a three-round featherweight showcase.
Who won the official post-fight bonuses at UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson?
Four fighters received $50,000 bonus awards: Clay Guida vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Fight of the Night), while Roy Nelson and Ramsey Nijem took home Performance of the Night honors.
Why was Rani Yahya vs. Johnny Bedford ruled a No Contest?
The fight was declared a No Contest at just 39 seconds of Round 1 after an accidental clash of heads left Rani Yahya stunned and unable to defend himself, leading referee Neil Hall to halt the contest.
What was the attendance and live gate revenue for the event?
The event drew a reported attendance of 7,963 spectators, generating a live gate of $1,800,000 at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi.
How was UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson broadcast?
In the United States and international markets, the entire event—including both preliminary and main card bouts—streamed live exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
Who won the welterweight fight between Ryan LaFlare and John Howard?
Ryan LaFlare defeated John Howard via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28), relying on four takedowns and active striking to preserve his undefeated record.
How did Ramsey Nijem defeat Beneil Dariush?
Ramsey Nijem scored a major first-round upset by dropping Beneil Dariush with a left hook and finishing the fight with ground punches from half guard at 4:20 of Round 1.
Who called the fights and served as cage announcer for this card?
The broadcast commentary team featured John Gooden and former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy (who also handled post-fight cage interviews), with Andy Friedlander serving as the official Octagon announcer.
Was this the UFC’s first event held in Abu Dhabi?
No. It was the UFC’s second event in Abu Dhabi, taking place exactly four years after UFC 112: Invincible (Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia) in April 2010.
Which scheduled bouts were cancelled before the event?
A flyweight matchup between Alptekin Özkiliç and Dustin Ortiz was cancelled due to an injury to Özkiliç, and a middleweight clash between Chris Camozzi and Andrew Craig was called off on weigh-in day due to an illness suffered by Craig.
What happened between Johnny Bedford and Rani Yahya after their bout?
Believing he had legitimately knocked out Yahya, Bedford was incensed by the No Contest verdict, leading to a heated verbal confrontation inside the Octagon where commentator Dan Hardy and cornermen had to keep the fighters separated.
Did Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira retire immediately after UFC Fight Night: Minotauro vs. Nelson?
No. Nogueira fought once more at UFC 190 in August 2015 against Stefan Struve before officially announcing his retirement and being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
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