Tag: Antônio Nogueira

Rodrigo Nogueira: No More Distractions, Motivated to Beat Mir

In his first bout with Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira didn’t appear to be himself. The Brazilian’s renowned striking and iron chin were non-existent as he was finished for the time in his career en route to a second round TKO. Since then…

In his first bout with Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira didn’t appear to be himself. 

The Brazilian’s renowned striking and iron chin were non-existent as he was finished for the time in his career en route to a second round TKO. 

Since then, Nogueira underwent multiple surgeries to repair some injuries and he resurfaced back onto the scene with a first-round knockout over Brendan Schaub at UFC 134. With the injuries behind him, Nogueira looks to remain healthy and motivated for his rematch against Mir next weekend. 

And this time around, Nogueira said he feels confident in his training camp. 

“For the last fight, we had more distractions and we’d just finished the show a couple months before in Vegas and it was hard to train over there. When I came to Brazil, I didn’t feel like the camp was really good,” Nogueira said during a UFC 140 media conference call earlier this week. “I’m more focused on what I’m doing and I’ve got my sparring partners and been able to train the way I wanted.”

Upon his UFC debut, there was a lot of optimism for “Big Nog” as he defeated Heath Herring and Tim Sylvia to capture the UFC interim heavyweight title. But against Mir, Nogueira did not perform under expectations.

The loss had some critics questioning his longevity in the sport. After a sudden resurgence against Schaub earlier this year, however, Nogueira feels prepared and excited to compete once again. 

“I feel more popular, more explosive and more confident now,” he said. “I feel this camp is better than the last one and I know Frank’s improved since the last time I fought him but I’m in shape and I’m ready to go and I’m excited to fight.” 

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UFC 140: Frank Mir Says "The Post Fight Chatter of Injuries Was Disrespectful"

Former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir says he has nothing to prove in his second bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira, but his words on today’s UFC 140 media conference call paints quite a different picture. Mir was asked by Damon Martin of MMAWeekly…

Former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir says he has nothing to prove in his second bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira, but his words on today’s UFC 140 media conference call paints quite a different picture.

Mir was asked by Damon Martin of MMAWeekly.com if he was surprised that this rematch was made after such a clear cut victory in the first one.

“Obviously the first fight was not so clear cut based on a lot of words, circumstances so I do feel that due to injuries or what not that there is some unfinished business.” Mir stated in a recent blog on Sportsnet.ca that he has nothing to prove in this second meeting with Nogueira but did admit he was bothered by all the post-fight injury talk and had his own perspective about revealing injuries after a fight.

“It did bother me yes, I mean if the injury affects the outcome sure, like if you are asked why you didn’t use your boxing much and you say you have a broken hand, well that’s legit. But anytime a guy explains poor performance with injuries and doesn’t acknowledge I lost because the guy in front of you beat you, I feel it’s disrespectful”

Mir is the longest serving heavyweight in the UFC, has the most victories in the UFC of any heavyweight at 13, and has held the title twice. He was asked if he sees himself right in the title mix in 2012?

“I think so, if i get a win in this fight I will be on a three fight winning streak so I don’t see why not.

It has been over two years since he fought Nogueira and many wonder how each fighter has evolved in that time and if there has been a significant change in Big Nog’s style in that time.

 

“After so many fights, I don’t really see much of a style drift in him, it’s pretty much locked in. The big difference I see may be in his confidence coming off his last win in Brazil. Sometimes it’s confidence that is the difference between executing a technique.”

In all of his years in mixed martial arts, Mir has never fought for the fans in Canada and was asked about that.

“I’ve been up there many times before with appearances and etc., and it’s amazing. We think we get pretty good recognition and support here in the States but it increases dramatically the minute we cross the border.”

Frank Mir faces Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on December 10th from the Air Canada Center in Toronto.

For a full fight by fight preview of the card click here!

 

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.

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Frank Mir Doesn’t Believe Nogeuira’s Staph Infection Determined Their First Bout

Frank Mir will be entering his bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with nothing to prove. The Las Vegas native last faced the Brazilian at UFC 92, where Mir dominated and was able to out-strike Nogueira on the feet, which lead to a second-round TKO…

Frank Mir will be entering his bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with nothing to prove. 

The Las Vegas native last faced the Brazilian at UFC 92, where Mir dominated and was able to out-strike Nogueira on the feet, which lead to a second-round TKO stoppage. The victory was arguably the biggest achievement of Mir’s career. 

In anticipation of UFC 140 next weekend, Mir is featured as a special guest blogger on Sportsnet.ca, where he recalled his performance against “Minotauro” and said he was the superior fighter. 

Rumours surfaced of a possible staph infection that had affected Nogueira’s performance on that night, but Mir downplays that idea. 

“I won the last fight, which took place three years ago in Las Vegas, because I was the better fighter on the night,” Mir wrote. “Me punching him in the chin repeatedly had nothing to do with a staph infection, believe me. I could be sick as hell going into a fight, but I still remember and can perform the necessary techniques to get me out of trouble.

“Nogueira lost that fight because my striking technique was better than his and that could be the reason he loses this rematch, too,” he added. 

The win earned Mir a title shot the following year. However, he came up short in his chances of reclaiming the heavyweight crown. Since then, Mir has remained consistent in his attempt to receive another title opportunity, going 3-2 in his past five bouts. 

Mir’s title aspirations will come full circle against the same opponent he beat to earn the opportunity just three years ago. Despite already holding a victory over Nogueira, Mir doesn’t see himself having to prove anything.

“I am already a two-time UFC champion but what drives me at this stage in my career is the need to achieve all I can achieve before my career is up,” he wrote. “I know that I am capable of becoming even better than I am right now, and that excites me on a daily basis.”

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Rodrigo Nogueira Predicts a Knockout Victory for Junior Dos Santos

Although he suffered a loss to Cain Velasquez, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is confident  his protege, Junior dos Santos, will bring the heavyweight title back to Brazil this weekend.Having trained the 27-year-old dos Santos prior to his UFC debut and…

Although he suffered a loss to Cain Velasquez, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is confident  his protege, Junior dos Santos, will bring the heavyweight title back to Brazil this weekend.

Having trained the 27-year-old dos Santos prior to his UFC debut and helped perfect the Brazilian’s boxing technique, Nogueira has transformed him into the No. 1 heavyweight contender who will stand across from the champion on Saturday night.

In an interview with FightersOnly.co.uk, Nogueira said he has played a prominent role in dos Santos’ preparation for Velasquez. Minotauro predicted Cigano will win via knockout.

“I told him to believe in his game, he must believe in his hands. He has to put on the fight in his time and in his way, not to get into Velasquez’ game,” Nogueira said. “I think Cigano will win with his hands in the third round.”

While he is renowned for possessing the best striking in the heavyweight division, Nogueira said he worked extensively with dos Santos on other areas to be fully prepared for any situation. With each day that has passed by, Nogueira said he noticed dramatic improvements in dos Santos’ game, which he believes will only benefit him during the bout. 

Nogueira believes dos Santos is ready to compete. 

“Each day he improves more,” he said. “I did two sparrings with him and noticed the takedown defence is good, his hands are quick and he is explosive. His experience and confidence are huge each day and he is ready.”

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Mirko Cro Cop and 5 UFC Fighters We Wish Were Still Young

A fighter’s most important fight can sometimes be his last, and for an aging fighter, it’s sometimes a fight they just can’t win. It’s a risk that only some are willing to take, and it might be more dangerous for them than anything they have ever had t…

A fighter’s most important fight can sometimes be his last, and for an aging fighter, it’s sometimes a fight they just can’t win. It’s a risk that only some are willing to take, and it might be more dangerous for them than anything they have ever had to deal with when they were younger.

Whether or not they remain successful and retire on top or are eagerly risking their legendary status to achieve some form of glory that they once had, there is nothing that stops time from finally catching up to them.

These are five fighters we wish were young, and although they are still fighting among the best, they might not have many fights left. Some may only have one.

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UFC 140 Fight Card: Frank Mir vs. Big Nog II Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC star heavyweights Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira are set for a rematch this December 10 at UFC 140 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.Mir comes in on a nice roll, gaining victories in his last two fights over Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson, …

UFC star heavyweights Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira are set for a rematch this December 10 at UFC 140 at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.

Mir comes in on a nice roll, gaining victories in his last two fights over Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson, respectively. Meanwhile, Nogueira regained some relevancy with his own knockout victory over young lion Brendan Schaub last month in Brazil.

Despite what some people may think or say, a fight between the two aging stars carries some significance in the heavyweight division, as the winner may find himself in a No.1 contender match sometime in 2012, possibly against the winner of Brock Lesnar-Alistair Overeem, or the loser of Cain Velasquez-Junior Dos Santos. Meanwhile, the loser of this fight may never come close again.

The fighters first clashed in 2008 at UFC 89, and the fight and the outcome did not play out how many people thought it would. Heading into that fight, many people had written Mir off and said that he only had a slight chance if the fight hit the ground. Nogueira was seen to have a heavy edge in the stand-up, toughness and experience categories.

In a perfect example of why fights are never fought on paper, Mir came out and dominated Big Nog on the feet with superior boxing footwork and combinations, gaining a shocking TKO victory.

Information came out shortly after the fight saying that Big Nog was suffering from a knee injury and staph infection that did not allow him to be at his best that night.

A healthy Big Nog, combined with the stakes, should provide a very intriguing and exciting rematch.

Here is my head-to-toe breakdown of Mir versus Big Nog II.

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