‘Minotauro’ Nogueira Broke His Ribs Three Weeks Before Facing Dave Herman At UFC 153

With fighters dropping like flies due to injuries, it’s no wonder Zuffa has seen three major events cancelled this fall. So it’s a testament to the willpower, and the “old school” mentality, of former UFC heavyweight champ Antônio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira (34-7-1, 1NC) that after fracturing his ribs three weeks before his UCF 153 bout […]

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira celebrates victory over Dave Herman at UFC 153 – Photo via Fighters.com

With fighters dropping like flies due to injuries, it’s no wonder Zuffa has seen three major events cancelled this fall.

So it’s a testament to the willpower, and the “old school” mentality, of former UFC heavyweight champ Antônio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira (34-7-1, 1NC) that after fracturing his ribs three weeks before his UCF 153 bout with Dave Herman, that he went on to not only take the fight but to finish Herman by submission.

Nogueira made the admission in an interview with Sensei SportTV recently (via Tatame.com.br using Google Translate) about the injury.

“Fractured my rib three weeks ago on my right side. I went to the doctor, I took a local anesthetic to be able to train and when he (Dave Herman) gave me a shot there, gave me a shortness of breath and took a swung from one side to the other to see what had happened, had broken. There was a big break, but got scared when the kick hit him, “said the Bahia, in an interview with Sensei SporTV.

‘Minotauro’ agreed to face Herman on a months notice after an injury forced a change to the co-main event for UFC 153 after Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson pulled out due to injury.

At UFC 153, Nogueira would go on to submit Herman with an armbar in the second round at the Brazilian show. The win also earned the former UFC title holder the “Submission of the Night” bonus.