While many have questioned Antonio Rogerio Nogueira still fighting now that he has turned 40 years old, the Brazilian isn’t letting it get to him.
Nogueira will get the chance to main event this Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 100 card in Brazil against Ryan Bader, taking on “Darth” for a second time.
“I started doing this sport when almost nobody knew it in Brazil and today I am headlining a card in the country,” Nogueira said. “It’s a dream come true, without a doubt.”
Nogueira (22-7) snapped a two-fight losing skid with a victory over Patrick Cummings in May. He is 3-4 over his last seven, including a decision loss to Bader back in 2010.
“This fight means a lot to me,” he said. “Besides the rematch, it confirms the good moment I am in after knocking out Cummins in Curitiba. Bader is a strategic guy, strong, likes to go to the ground, but I am conscious of everything that I need to do to take out his game.”