Brendan Schaub has established a bit of reputation for himself defeating Gabriel Gonzaga and Mirko Cro Cop.
At UFC 134, he has the opportunity to beat another legend in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Schaub’s chance to beat Nogueira potentially puts him in line for a title shot, however he’ll have to do it in Brazil, where Noguera will have home-field advantage.
“They asked me if I want to fight him in Denver, but I wanted to fight him in Brazil,” Schaub told Lowkick.com.
Since debuting for the UFC in 2008, Schaub has seen his fair share of competition, but Nogueira will be his biggest challenge yet. Nogueira is renowned for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and displays good technique in his boxing as well. But his ability to absorb punishment, once a valuable trait, has failed him recently as he has been stopped twice in his last four fights.
Obviously, it’s a weakness that “The Hybrid” will look to expose once again when he meets the Brazilian in Rio de Janeiro next weekend. Currently on a four-fight win streak, Schaub believes beating Nogueira will make strong argument to have him challenge for the UFC heavyweight title.
“Look, going out there to Brazil and beat Nogueira in his homeland is something that Cain, Frank Mir or Fedor never did,” he said.
“So yeah, I think that beating Nogueira in Brazil makes a pretty good argument for a title shot, not speaking about the fact that it’s going to be my fifth consecutive victory.”
Also confident in his abilities, Schaub predicts he will finish Nogueira early.
“I think Nogueira will have a tough time dealing with my speed. I’ll knock him out in Round 2,” he said.
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