Over the course of 46 professional fights spanning 16 years of competition at the highest levels of MMA, the recently retired PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira learned a thing or two about pain and injury.
At a recent round-ta…
Over the course of 46 professional fights spanning 16 years of competition at the highest levels of MMA, the recently retired PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira learned a thing or two about pain and injury.
At a recent round-table discussion during the Rio Sports and Health conference, as reported by Sherdog’s Marcelo Alonso, Nogueira opened up about how extensive his injury history really was:
I have done a total of 22 surgeries; I’m all broken. I started my surgery career early, at 11 years old when I was hit by the truck. However, the last five years were more difficult. I had eight surgeries. I have 16 metal screws in my right arm, from the elbow to the shoulder, and they are extremely painful at the beginning of a training camp and also when the temperature changes. I also had a surgery on my left arm and two on my hips. Those four surgeries were pivotal in my decision to retire.
By the end of his career, Nogueira was held together by the orthopedic equivalent of spit and baling wire. Eight surgeries in the last five years of his career entailed a tremendous amount of physical therapy and rehabilitation, even leaving aside the lasting effects of major surgeries on essential joints. Some of the initial injuries were incredibly gruesome, especially the broken arm he suffered against Frank Mir.
What’s more, Nogueira’s physician, Dr. Marcio Tannure, revealed at the same conference that Nogueira tore a knee ligament several days prior to his fight with Roy Nelson. The former champion went ahead and fought anyway.
One might ask why Nogueira’s doctor didn’t make more of an effort to stop a severely injured client—”[H]e entered the Octagon barely able to walk,” according to Tannure—from competing in a dangerous combat sport, particularly when an obviously-hampered Nogueira found himself face-up on the canvas from a thunderous Nelson overhand that evening.
Nogueira’s final fight saw him soundly outpointed by Stefan Struve, and it was clearly time for the much-diminished fighter to call it a career. Aside from the orthopedic injuries, persistent rumors dating back to 2007 have claimed that Nogueira is mostly blind in one eye.
The former champion had nothing left to prove. His undeniable heart endeared him to generations of fans, and he remains a beloved figure in Brazilian MMA. His recent revelations, however, stand as stark reminders of the physical toll that MMA takes on its longtime practitioners.
The rematch of one of the best MMA fights in PRIDE history took place at UFC 190. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira went toe-to-toe.
There was a feeling out process early, but they were searching for homeruns. Both Shogun a…
The rematch of one of the best MMA fights in PRIDE history took place at UFC 190. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira went toe-to-toe.
There was a feeling out process early, but they were searching for homeruns. Both Shogun and Nogueira narrowly missed heavy punches as they wanted to end it early. They were not afraid to mix it up in the pocket.
Nogueira stunned Shogun, but the former champion covered up and responded. He was on wobbly legs for a long time, but he stayed right in the fight. Shogun then landed clean to stun Nogueira. A crazy end to the first round helped revitalize a crowd that had lost some of its enthusiasm prior to the contest.
Shogun opened the second round with a takedown. Eventually, Nogueira used his jiu-jitsu experience to work his way back to the feet. It was evident that Rua was less interested to have a pure striking exchange after being badly hurt in the first round.
Rua was looking for the takedowns again in the final round. He landed some strong leg kicks in the final two frames, but he was avoiding a wild exchange at all cost. He got more patient, and it paid off. His more methodical approach allowed him to score enough to win the fight on the scorecards.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
A crazy flurry in the final minute-plus of the first round was the most memorable portion of the fight.
They worked out their range and pacing early in the round, and when Nogueira clocked Shogun he went in for the finish. It didn’t prove to happen as Shogun covered up well and fired back, but that only made it more fun.
Shogun landed flush to back Nogueira off of him, but soon he returned. They threw heavy leather in the pocket. The horn sounded and the crowd rose to their feet.
What We Learned About Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Is it wrong to say that we learned nothing?
This was the same old Nogueira, and after he rocked Rua in the first round he didn’t turn up the tempo again. He didn’t try to make it ugly. That was where he had the most success, but then he abandoned it. It cost him the fight.
I think we have learned just about all we can from Nogueira. There’s nothing new to his tactics.
What We Learned About Shogun Rua
We learned that he can still fight smart.
His aggression has been a downfall for him in recent outings, and it was very nearly his downfall at UFC 190. However, he survived and fought much more smartly in the final two rounds. If he does that, he can still compete with many in this division.
Rua has quality striking and grappling, but he just doesn’t have the chin to use all-out aggression anymore.
What’s Next for Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Patrick Cummins.
Yes, Nogueira lost, but he still looked pretty good out there. The matchup against Cummins would be a good test for Cummins‘ evolution as a fighter. He loves to use his wrestling and grind, but Nogueira’s ground game would be a serious threat.
That would be a quality fight for a Fight Night event. It has a little value for both men with their ranking in the division.
What’s Next for Shogun Rua
Shogun is a top 10 fighter in a thin division. The ranking is misleading because he isn’t an upper echelon fighter anymore. The fight that makes the most sense is against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
It is another PRIDE rematch that hardcore fans can enjoy without having any big impact on the division.
If the UFC could make that happen for their return to Japan it would make even more sense, but that may be unlikely. Regardless, Shogun should not be involved in any top tier bout in the light heavyweight division. No value in that.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira entered UFC 190 fighting for a storybook ending to his legendary career. He didn’t get it.
For most of the fight, his opponent, Stefan Struve, utilized his absurdly long reach to peg Nogueira from a safe distance. While the for…
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira entered UFC 190 fighting for a storybook ending to his legendary career. He didn’t get it.
For most of the fight, his opponent, Stefan Struve, utilized his absurdly long reach to peg Nogueira from a safe distance. While the former Pride great occasionally worked things to the cage, he was never really able to convert it into takedowns, strikes or any real sustained offense.
The minutes wore on, and Struve’s landed strikes total kept on rising. So, too, did his score with the judges. In the end, the Skyscraper would walk away with a unanimous 30-27 decision win. So what did we learn?
Stefan Struve Has Not Really Improved
With his spindly limbs and colossal height and reach advantage, Struve could easily be a high-level heavyweight. His iffy performance against a plodding, old Nogueira, however, did not wow anyone who has been watching him for any length of time.
If there were ever a time where Struve should’ve looked unstoppable, it was right here. Nogueira was barely a practice dummy in this fight. His complete lack of explosiveness or power made it so Struve barely had to worry about return fire. This should have been the ultimate showcase match. Mookie Alexander of BloodyElbow.com wasn’t too impressed:
The fact that Struve isn’t blowing Nogueira away is not a good sign for his potential, either. It’s just a matter of getting a win.
But sheesh, there wasn’t a moment in the fight where it really felt like Struve was dominating. That’s not good, ladies and gentlemen, and quite frankly, that sort of performance would have resulted in a loss against almost any other heavyweight.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Really, Really Needs to Retire
This has been stated many times over, but it’s worth repeating. Nogueira really needs to retire. Really, really needs to.
Nogueira never mounted any form of sustained offense, outside a couple of blink-and-you-missed-it moments when the fight went to the ground. He was slow and lacked even the minimum level of explosiveness that an actual punch or kick needs.
Short of a Bellator post-lim card fight, there isn’t a single heavyweight in a major promotion that this writer can imagine Nogueira beating. Everything from here on is just shaving time off his golden years.
Stefan Struve Still Has Some Potential
Struve didn’t look great here, but it wasn’t the kind of performance that made him somebody to cash out on. It may take a while, and there’s no guarantee he’ll actually realize his potential, but the Skyscraper still seems like somebody who can grow into a top fighter.
Struve finally seems to know what he should be doing. While he isn’t necessarily executing it brilliantly, he is moving in a positive direction, and demonstrated every technique a lanky fighter should have in his arsenal (rear uppercut, front kick, jab, etc.). If he finally becomes comfortable standing and can finally start utilizing his length in more ways, it could get the ball rolling on a return to the top 10.
Will he ever be UFC champion at this point? Probably not. Still, there’s definitely a glimmer of hope there for the Dutchman.
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia will close out a card with plenty of recognizable faces at UFC 189. The crowd in Rio de Janeiro will witness some of the biggest Brazilian names to come through the sport as a prelude to the women’s bantamweight title fig…
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia will close out a card with plenty of recognizable faces at UFC 189. The crowd in Rio deJaneiro will witness some of the biggest Brazilian names to come through the sport as a prelude to the women’s bantamweight title fight.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will take on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a rematch of a bout that took place a decade ago under the Pride banner. Meanwhile, his brother, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, will take on Stefan Struve in heavyweight action.
The heavy Brazilian flavor of the card doesn’t stop there, though. Two champions of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 will be crowned. ReginaldoVieira takes on Dileno Lopes in bantamweight action, while GlaicoFranca and Fernando Bruno will do battle for the lightweight crown.
Here’s a look at the complete seven-fight main card, along with the latest odds from Odds Shark.
Biggest Fights of the Night
Claudia Gadelha vs. Jessica Aguilar
The women’s strawweight bout between Claudia Gadelha and Jessica Aguilar might kick off the pay-per-view card, but it’s one of the most important of the night. Nathan McCarter of Bleacher Report even made a case that it should have been the evening’s co-main event.
Big Nog, Little Nog and Shogun may be yesteryear’s Brazilian stars, but wins for any of them at UFC 190 aren’t putting them in their prospective title pictures. The winner of Gadelha vs. Aguilar will certainly be in the mix for the next shot at Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
As Jesse Scheckner of MMA Owl noted, Aguilar is one of the most talented strawweights, but her welcoming party to the UFC will be a tough one.
As dominant as the champion looked in beating Carla Esparza and Jessica Penne, Gadelha fared much better against her. She actually managed to get Jedrzejczyk to the ground seven times in a split-decision loss, as noted by FightMetric.
Aguilar’s credentials are no joke. She’s on a 10-fight win streak that includes names like Esparza and MegumiFujii. She also held a title in World Series of Fighting. She’s a well-rounded fighter who is capable of holding her own in the striking department as well as in grappling.
However, she doesn’t do anything as well as Gadelha grapples. In a battle of high-level fighters, the one who does one thing extremely well has a bit of an advantage. It should be the difference as Gadelha maintains control throughout the majority of a competitive three-round affair.
Gadelha by decision
Shogun Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
It’s been five years since Shogun Rua defeated LyotoMachida for the light heavyweight championship. Since then, he promptly lost the title to Jon Jones and has gone 3-6. His co-main event fight against Nogueira is most likely his last shot at any semblance of relevance.
Nogueira never quite reached the level of prominence that Shogun has in his career. He hasn’t fought for a title in either the UFC or Pride. Shogun put an end to his brief run in the Pride middleweight Grand Prix in 2005.
In the same span that Rua has gone 3-6, Nogueira is 2-2. That doesn’t speak highly of his ability to stay healthy. Four fights since March 2011 isn’t ideal. It does, however, show that Little Nog might have a little more left in the tank.
These two fighters aren’t the same as they were 10 years ago, and Little Nog believes the current version of himself is more prepared to change the result.
“I’m confident, and I believe the fight could be a little different this time,” Nogueira said, via Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. “I’m stronger, heavier than when we fought the first time. I weighed 213 pounds at that time, and I weighed 227 pounds when I started my camp—and I believe I will weigh 227 pounds on fight night. I will be stronger to fight him in the clinch.”
The additional weight might not be as important as the fact that Rua has been finished in three of his last four fights. Expect what’s left of Nogueira to be better than what’s left of Shogun.
Nogueira by second-round TKO
Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia
The question of the main event isn’t really whether Ronda Rousey will win. It’s how and when.
Even though both fighters are undefeated, their respective levels of competition are simply incomparable. Rousey has picked off the majority of the top 10 in the division. Correia‘s three victories have come over fighters with a collective 1-7 record in the UFC.
There’s a reason Rousey is one of the UFC’s biggest stars. She’s a force of nature with a combination of athleticism and technique that is far more developed than the majority of fighters in the young division. The result is a fighter who has won her last three fights in a combined 96 seconds.
But will she dispose of Correia in a similar time? The only reason to believe she won’t is anecdotal. Rousey‘s ability to secure quick submissions should be an available option for her because Correia looks to do most of her damage at close quarters, where Rousey is so good at executing throws and locking in submissions.
However, as this UFC video showed, Rousey is heavily emotionally invested in this opponent:
We’ve seen Rousey fight against opponents she doesn’t care for before. Her rivalry with Miesha Tate is well-documented, as the two have fought twice, and Tate is the only fighter to survive more than a round with the champion.
If Rousey truly wants to make an example of Correia, this could go beyond the usual length for a Rousey title defense.
If the Rowdy One decides she’s not all that into making Correia suffer after all, it will be another short night. Even with Correia‘s undefeated record, she simply isn’t as athletic or technical on the ground as her opponent.
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia will close out a card with plenty of recognizable faces at UFC 189. The crowd in Rio de Janeiro will witness some of the biggest Brazilian names to come through the sport as a prelude to the women’s bantamweight title fig…
Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia will close out a card with plenty of recognizable faces at UFC 189. The crowd in Rio deJaneiro will witness some of the biggest Brazilian names to come through the sport as a prelude to the women’s bantamweight title fight.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will take on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a rematch of a bout that took place a decade ago under the Pride banner. Meanwhile, his brother, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, will take on Stefan Struve in heavyweight action.
The heavy Brazilian flavor of the card doesn’t stop there, though. Two champions of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 will be crowned. ReginaldoVieira takes on Dileno Lopes in bantamweight action, while GlaicoFranca and Fernando Bruno will do battle for the lightweight crown.
Here’s a look at the complete seven-fight main card, along with the latest odds from Odds Shark.
Biggest Fights of the Night
Claudia Gadelha vs. Jessica Aguilar
The women’s strawweight bout between Claudia Gadelha and Jessica Aguilar might kick off the pay-per-view card, but it’s one of the most important of the night. Nathan McCarter of Bleacher Report even made a case that it should have been the evening’s co-main event.
Big Nog, Little Nog and Shogun may be yesteryear’s Brazilian stars, but wins for any of them at UFC 190 aren’t putting them in their prospective title pictures. The winner of Gadelha vs. Aguilar will certainly be in the mix for the next shot at Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
As Jesse Scheckner of MMA Owl noted, Aguilar is one of the most talented strawweights, but her welcoming party to the UFC will be a tough one.
As dominant as the champion looked in beating Carla Esparza and Jessica Penne, Gadelha fared much better against her. She actually managed to get Jedrzejczyk to the ground seven times in a split-decision loss, as noted by FightMetric.
Aguilar’s credentials are no joke. She’s on a 10-fight win streak that includes names like Esparza and MegumiFujii. She also held a title in World Series of Fighting. She’s a well-rounded fighter who is capable of holding her own in the striking department as well as in grappling.
However, she doesn’t do anything as well as Gadelha grapples. In a battle of high-level fighters, the one who does one thing extremely well has a bit of an advantage. It should be the difference as Gadelha maintains control throughout the majority of a competitive three-round affair.
Gadelha by decision
Shogun Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
It’s been five years since Shogun Rua defeated LyotoMachida for the light heavyweight championship. Since then, he promptly lost the title to Jon Jones and has gone 3-6. His co-main event fight against Nogueira is most likely his last shot at any semblance of relevance.
Nogueira never quite reached the level of prominence that Shogun has in his career. He hasn’t fought for a title in either the UFC or Pride. Shogun put an end to his brief run in the Pride middleweight Grand Prix in 2005.
In the same span that Rua has gone 3-6, Nogueira is 2-2. That doesn’t speak highly of his ability to stay healthy. Four fights since March 2011 isn’t ideal. It does, however, show that Little Nog might have a little more left in the tank.
These two fighters aren’t the same as they were 10 years ago, and Little Nog believes the current version of himself is more prepared to change the result.
“I’m confident, and I believe the fight could be a little different this time,” Nogueira said, via Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. “I’m stronger, heavier than when we fought the first time. I weighed 213 pounds at that time, and I weighed 227 pounds when I started my camp—and I believe I will weigh 227 pounds on fight night. I will be stronger to fight him in the clinch.”
The additional weight might not be as important as the fact that Rua has been finished in three of his last four fights. Expect what’s left of Nogueira to be better than what’s left of Shogun.
Nogueira by second-round TKO
Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia
The question of the main event isn’t really whether Ronda Rousey will win. It’s how and when.
Even though both fighters are undefeated, their respective levels of competition are simply incomparable. Rousey has picked off the majority of the top 10 in the division. Correia‘s three victories have come over fighters with a collective 1-7 record in the UFC.
There’s a reason Rousey is one of the UFC’s biggest stars. She’s a force of nature with a combination of athleticism and technique that is far more developed than the majority of fighters in the young division. The result is a fighter who has won her last three fights in a combined 96 seconds.
But will she dispose of Correia in a similar time? The only reason to believe she won’t is anecdotal. Rousey‘s ability to secure quick submissions should be an available option for her because Correia looks to do most of her damage at close quarters, where Rousey is so good at executing throws and locking in submissions.
However, as this UFC video showed, Rousey is heavily emotionally invested in this opponent:
We’ve seen Rousey fight against opponents she doesn’t care for before. Her rivalry with Miesha Tate is well-documented, as the two have fought twice, and Tate is the only fighter to survive more than a round with the champion.
If Rousey truly wants to make an example of Correia, this could go beyond the usual length for a Rousey title defense.
If the Rowdy One decides she’s not all that into making Correia suffer after all, it will be another short night. Even with Correia‘s undefeated record, she simply isn’t as athletic or technical on the ground as her opponent.
He wasn’t always like this.
Seventeen years ago, Dan Henderson made his MMA debut at the 1997 Brazil Open. He finished two opponents within six minutes before branding himself as one of the toughest dudes on the planet.
He’d go on to make h…
He wasn’t always like this.
Seventeen years ago, Dan Henderson made his MMA debut at the 1997 Brazil Open. He finished two opponents within six minutes before branding himself as one of the toughest dudes on the planet.
He’d go on to make his UFC debut (no, not that UFC debut) six months later, capturing the UFC 17 tournament title when he defeated Carlos Newton via split decision.
Over the course of the 16 years that followed, Henderson would share a fighting platform with some of the best fighters to ever be.
No matter the weight or opponent, Henderson was always a fighter to count on.
At 44 years old and fighting in the post-TRT era, there isn’t much gas left in Henderson’s tank. But with wins over some of the best fighters to ever grace this planet, there isn’t much Henderson has left to prove. He could have several fights ahead of him. He could also only have one. Let’s assume it’s the latter.
Here are three fights that make sense for Henderson as he bids farewell to the sport that he helped build.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
There are few ways Henderson can see any sort of success by staying at light heavyweight. Stepping into the cage against Little Nog in a rematch of their 2005 PRIDE bout might just be one of them. With a combined total of nearly 70 fights between them, there isn’t much tread left on their tires.
Little Nog‘s fresh off the wrong end of a first-round knockout against a rejuvenated Anthony Johnson in July while Henderson’s still a little drowsy from being put to sleep in his latest outing against Cormier in May.
The bout could serve as the closing act to two of the most impactful MMA careers to ever be. Here’s hoping the UFC can get them to sign on and Little Nog can healthily find his way into the cage to make this happen.
GegardMousasi
Again, there are few ways Henderson can see his hand raised by staying at 205. That’s not to say he’ll find himself in any sort of title fight by dropping down to middleweight; those days are long gone.
Whether he decides to fight Mousasi at 205 or 185 shouldn’t make too much of a difference; Mousasi‘s never been one of the bigger fighters in either weight class. In other words, there’s no reason to believe he’ll be able to rag-doll Henderson like Cormier did. He also hasn’t shown the same sort of explosiveness to prove that he’ll be able to turn Henderson’s lights out the way Belfort did.
The bout should stay standing, Mousasi will pepper Henderson from the outside while we all hold our breath as Hendo keeps the H-Bomb cocked and ready to go for 15 to 25 minutes.
Anderson Silva
Silva’s already pegged to fight Nick Diaz in January. But, for just a brief moment, let’s assume Diaz‘s suspected DUI prevents him from making it to UFC 183 in Las Vegas.
Assuming he gets a reasonable amount of time to cut the weight to fit a middleweight’s mold, Henderson should be able to fit right into that main event slot with little-to-no problem. It would be a rematch to the UFC/PRIDE title unification bout of 2008. It would be one of the only reasons to drop 20 pounds and step inside the cage again. It would be, by most logical accounts, the best way to end a storied career for Henderson.
Kristian Ibarra is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. He also serves as the sports editor at San Diego State University’s student-run newspaper, The Daily Aztec. Follow him on Twitter at @Kristian_Ibarra for all things MMA.
Over the course of 46 professional fights spanning 16 years of competition at the highest levels of MMA, the recently retired PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira learned a thing or two about pain and injury.
