Cheick Kongo – photo via UFC.com
French striker Cheick Kongo (18-7-2) had been scheduled to face former UFC champion Antônio Rodrigo ‘Big Nog’ Nogueira (33-7-1, 1NC) last month in Calgary, Alberta at UFC 149, but the big Brazilian was forced to withdraw as he had not fully recovered from a broken arm suffered in his loss to Frank Mir at UFC 140 last winter.
Kongo would go on to face Shawn Jordan on the main card of the pay-per-view event, winning a unanimous decision. The victory put Kongo back into the win column after a TKO loss to Mark Hunt last February in Japan, putting the former kick-boxer’s record at 4-1-1 over his last six Octagon appearances.
Speaking to Tatame.com, Kongo tells them that he’s still very interested in competing against ‘Big Nog’ and that he’d even do it this fall in Brazil.
At UFC 149, you were supposed to fight Rodrigo Nogueira, but he had to leave due to an injury. You want him to be your next opponent?
I wish he could be my next opponent. Minotauro is a legend. I wish him a good and fast recovery. I can’t wait to fight against him.Brazil hosts another edition of the UFC in October. Could this fight against Big Nog happen then? Would you like to fight him in Rio de Janeiro?
I would love to fight Big Nog and It would be a huge honor for me to fight in Brazil! I’ve never been there and I know I’ve got a lot of fans from here. Two of my teachers come from your beautiful country: Mario Sukata and Flavio Peroba .Let make it happen!
Neither fighter currently has an opponent for their next fight, and if re-scheduled against one another, would have just over two months to prepare for the upcoming UFC 153 event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That card is currently rumored to have twelve bouts on the card already with five main card matchups.
With Noguera’s history in Japan from his Pride days, it may not be a stretch for a rematch to occur in Macau, China as part of the UFC on FUEL TV 6 event.