After headbutt, fight between Yahya and Bedford opens UFC Abu Dhabi with no-contest

Yahya (pictured) faced Bedford in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

UFC Fight Night 39 got off to a controversial start in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, this Friday (11). In the first fight of the night, between the Brazilian Rani Yaya and Johnny Bedford, an accidental move caused the action to be interrupted right at the beginning, which generated a no-contest (fight without result).

In the opening seconds of the fight, Yahya tried to take the fight to the ground, without success. However, then, Bedford and the Brazilian exchanged at close range, and the North American hit an involuntary headbutt on Yahya, who fell knocked out. The shock, 39 seconds into the fight, also caused a deep cut on Yahya's eyebrow.

After a few minutes, the official decision came: the fight would have its result annulled. Thus, the first fight of UFC Fight Night 39 ended without a winner, which frustrated Bedford, who believed it would end in victory. "I'm crazy. This is ridiculous. I knocked him out,” complained Bedford, despite the images clearly showing the headbutt.

The main fight of UFC Fight Night 39 will be between Rodrigo Minotauro e Roy Nelson. Another Brazilian will participate in the event: still on the preliminary card, Thales leites faces Trevor Smith in the middleweight category.