The main event of UFC Abu Dhabi pitted heavyweights Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira together in a five-round fight. Neither man had been to a round 4 in their UFC careers, and nearly all of Nelson's wins had come by 1st round KO. Nogueira had never lost two straight and Nelson had never lost three straight, so one of those streaks was about to come to an end.
Big Nog tried walking Nelson down in the beginning of the 1st round, but it was Nelson who struck first blood, landing that clubbing right hand early on Nogueira. On this occasion, he did not rush in to look for the quick finish. Nogueira soon recovered and they resumed a fight that was contested entirely on the feet. At the 3 minute mark, with Nogueira still trying to get his wits about him and land a few shots of his own, he was pancaked by another right, and when he got back to his feet he was on wobbly legs in all sorts of trouble. Moments later, the final right hand stiffened Nogueira like a plank and that was the end of a one-sided mauling. There was no need for follow-up blows and Nelson just walked away as Nogueira laid limp on the canvas. Pure domination from Nelson and we may have just seen the finale of Minotauro's career.
Official Result: Roy Nelson def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via KO (punch) at 3:37 of round 1.