UFC Fight Island 3 results: Shogun makes it 3-0 in Lil’ Nog trilogy

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Mauricio “Shogun” Rua just took a decision over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira for the third time in the UFC Fight Island 3 co-main event. Nogueira went on to retire from the sport.

The co-main event for UFC Fight Island 3 witnessed the unnecessary yet highly entertaining three-match between former light heavyweight champ, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. These two legends were pretty evenly matched on the feet, with both men scoring their respective strikes. Shogun was the one who mixed in the takedowns, and ultimately walked away with the decision win. Shogun is unbeaten in three outings and will likely continue on his eternal path. As for Nogueira, this was his final professional MMA match, and he leaves the sport with a highly respectable and legendary record of 23-10. The Nogueira name will forever be cemented in MMA history and “Lil Nog” will go down as one of the great pioneers of the sport.

Shogun took the center of the Octagon and slowly marched down Nogueira. He worked his inside leg kicks, and spent dome time grinding against the cage. Things started to heat up when they began to crash into one another. The momentum shifted in the favor of Nogueira and Shogun became the one on the back foot. Nogueira landed several clean southpaw crosses, prompting Shogun to hit a takedown before the bell.

The slugfest continued into the second round. Shogun was landing his kicks and Nogueira was sticking with his boxing. Shogun slipped after a flurry, giving Nogueira top position. Not much happened before the fight returned to its feet. In open space, Shogun began landing his punches by leaping in and timing his foe. Nogueira started to pressure, throwing this hands in combinations.

Shogun opened up the final act with damaging leg kicks. Nogueira stood his ground and returned his boxing combos. Neither man wanted to back down and neither man was able to fully take over in the striking department. They stood in the center of the Octagon and went combo for combo. Shogun switched gears and realized a takedown with over a minute left in the match. The former champ punched away from the top, finishing the round with an exclamation point.

Mauricio Rua def. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by split decision (29-28, 28-29): Light Heavyweight