why if statement not running?

i need some help:

i have if function in my controller :

if (!empty($match_results)){

 $merge = $merged = array_replace_recursive($match_results, $data);
 return  $merge;
}else {
  //
} 

i want check $match_result value, if array $match_result is not empty execute the code and return the value, if empty do nothing.

i dont know why this is not working, do i something wrong ? im newb please help, very grateful if someone helps. sorry for my broken english.