UFC light heavyweight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira feels like he’s in a good place, ahead of his bout against Sam Alvey.
A light heavyweight and MMA veteran, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira doesn’t feel it is time to part ways with the sport just yet. Despite a recent back injury plus a six-month USADA suspension that rendered the 42-year-old unable to fight for almost two years, “Lil’ Nog” tells Combate he feels confident in his return, as he prepares to take on the heavy-handed Sam Alvey.
In fact, as the Brazilian pointed out, the most important part is to stay active and training, no matter what, even when you’re into your forties.
“Of course you feel your age,” Nogueira said. “Your recovery from training just isn’t the same. I think it’s important to have a goal. As long as you have a fighting chance, you soldier on. When you can’t train or perform well anymore, that’s when it’s time to rethink about what you’re doing and what’s happening to your body. I was away from a year and I came back in bad shape, but when I found my rhythm again, I felt like I was doing well in my training. They offered me a fight in Rio, but I declined it and accepted this one (Sam Alvey), and I’m doing better. I can go on.”
Although Nogueira has only won one of his last four fights, a TKO victory over Patrick Cummins back in May 2016, he believes a good win against Alvey could allow him to still go on for a while longer in the Octagon. However, he also believes a loss could finally get him to think again.
“A loss could be determinant (for me to stop),” he said. “The most important thing is for me to test myself. I’m doing well at camp, let’s see if I can find my rhythm. I’m going to be one year and 10 months away from the Octagon when fight night comes, so that’s a little difficult. But rhythm is something you acquire over time, little by little. My goal is to come back well. I’m very confident in my training.”
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is expected to take on Sam Alvey at UFC Fight Night 137, on September 22, in Sao Paulo Brazil. The card was going to be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Glover Teixeira and Jimi Manuwa, however, the Brazilian was forced to pull out due to an injury.