UFC 161 Loses Another Fighter, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Injured & Out of Fight with ‘Shogun’ Rua


(Rogerio offered to still fight at UFC 161, if the bout were changed to tag-team rules)

GloboEsporte and MMAJunkie are both reporting that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been forced to pull out of his UFC 161 rematch bout against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. GloboEsporte reports the Brazilian’s injury as a herniated disc.

With UFC 161 less than two weeks away, it is unknown if a replacement is being sought by the UFC or will be found to fight Rua. Nogueira and Rua first fought in 2005 in the Pride Middleweight Tournament.

Rua earned a decision win after scoring a knockdown late in the fight. The bout is still regarded as one of the best in MMA history.

Rua would go on to win the tournament and, later, the UFC light heavyweight title. Nogueira has won his last two fights, over former champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. It is still unknown how long his injury will keep him sidelined.

UFC 161 already lost its first main event, when interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao was injured and pulled out of his title defense against Eddie Wineland. Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson have since been matched up with one another as a replacement main event for the Winnipeg, Canada pay per view card.

– Elias Cepeda


(Rogerio offered to still fight at UFC 161, if the bout were changed to tag-team rules)

GloboEsporte and MMAJunkie are both reporting that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been forced to pull out of his UFC 161 rematch bout against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. GloboEsporte reports the Brazilian’s injury as a herniated disc.

With UFC 161 less than two weeks away, it is unknown if a replacement is being sought by the UFC or will be found to fight Rua. Nogueira and Rua first fought in 2005 in the Pride Middleweight Tournament.

Rua earned a decision win after scoring a knockdown late in the fight. The bout is still regarded as one of the best in MMA history.

Rua would go on to win the tournament and, later, the UFC light heavyweight title. Nogueira has won his last two fights, over former champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. It is still unknown how long his injury will keep him sidelined.

UFC 161 already lost its first main event, when interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao was injured and pulled out of his title defense against Eddie Wineland. Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson have since been matched up with one another as a replacement main event for the Winnipeg, Canada pay per view card.

– Elias Cepeda