Since he has been rehabilitating his injuries, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira has spent a considerable amount of time away from the Octagon.
Fans last witnessed the Brazilian laid out on the canvas, courtesy of Cain Velasquez at UFC 110. It was only the second time Nogueira had been finished in his career. But according to his boxing coach, Luis Dorea, the 34-year-old is currently training and hoping to make his return to the UFC soon.
“Regarding Rodrigo, he has been training very well. He’s doing rehab, seeing positioning, but the first step is his condition, his health,” Dorea told TATAME, courtesy of FightersOnly Magazine.
Aside from nursing his injuries, and preventing anything further, Nogueira has been open to fighting UFC heavyweight prospect Brendan Schuab at UFC Rio this summer. Schaub has also voiced his interest in fighting the Brazilian, but Dorea has another opponent in mind.
“I would like so much to see a bout between Nogueira and Cro Cop,” he said.
Nogueira and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic have a shared history as both men engaged in a memorable bout while competing in Pride FC, which saw the Brazilian pick up the victory. Dorea expressed his interest in the potential bout, seeing it as a great opportunity for both competitors and for the fans as well.
“I saw Cro Cop say he wanted to fight him. They’re two legends, two names… It really would be very interesting for the MMA world.”
In regards to scheduling the bout, Dorea said he would like to see the bout take place in Brazil this summer. However Dorea’s intention is to make sure Nogueira is healthy first and foremost.
“If he is 100 percent, he’ll fight. He has a physio team helping and he is totally into the recuperation… but this is a fight I would like to see: Nogueira vs Cro Cop,” he said.
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