Surprises and Disappointments is a column featured on MMAOddsbreaker.com after every UFC event, highlighting three fighters who had surprising performances and three fighters who disappointed. Here are the three surprises and the three disappointments from UFC Fight Night 39. Surprises Ramsey Nijem — In the opening main card bout on Fight Pass, Ramsey Nijem absolutely obliterated Beneil Dariush via first-round TKO in by far his most impressive performance to date inside the Octagon. It was a great showing by the Palestinian-American, Nijem took the mic after the bout and said he wants to bring the lightweight title to the Middle East. He is a potential star for these cards in Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas, and I think he should fight someone tough like Gleison Tibau in his next fight. Thales Leites — In a middleweight bout, Thales Leites shined once again as he took out Trevor Smith with a quick first-round knockout. Leites has won three-straight fights in the Octagon and looks like he’s — gasp — a potential title contender once again. He deserves a step up, and I don’t mind him fighting someone like the winner of Costa Philippou vs. Lorenz Larkin next. Alan Omer — In a preliminary card featherweight bout, Alan Omer lost a close split decision to Jim Alers. It was a way more competitive fight than anyone expected and the striking shown by Omer in the fight makes me think he is a very underrated prospect in the 145lb division. Look for him to fight another featherweight coming off a loss, such as Steven Siler. Disappointments Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira — In the main event of the evening, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was brutally knocked out by Roy Nelson. Nogueira was knocked down and rocked multiple times before the vicious knockout and it was not pleasant to watch. At 37 years of age, Nogueira is on the last legs of his career and although he wants a third fight of Frank Mir to redeem his two previous losses to him, perhaps it’s time for “Big Nog” to just hang up his gloves once and for all. Tatsuya Kawajiri — In the co-main event of the evening, Tatsuya Kawajiri lost three competitive rounds to Clay Guida, snapping his six-fight winning streak in the process and sending him back to the beginning. Kawajiri just didn’t look good in Abu Dhabi, being knocked down by Guida early and then basically pushed against the fence for the rest of the fight. A disappointing sophomore effort for him, and I don’t know what’s next. Perhaps a fight against someone ranked lower than him like Steven Siler or Hacran Dias is in order. Daniel Omielanczuk — In a preliminary heavyweight bout, Daniel Omielanczuk lost a clear-cut unanimous decision to Jared Rosholt. The Pole was taken down at ease by the former NCAA Division I wrestler for 15 full minutes and did absolutely nothing off his back. Although he did connect with some nice strikes on Rosholt at one point in the fight, he decided to pull guard instead, a horrible idea, but one that came because he was absolutely exhausted. Omielanczuk’s long win streak was snapped and he’ll go back to the drawing board now. Look for him to fight someone else coming off a loss like Shawn Jordan on a Fight Pass prelim in the near future.
