Coming off a successful knockout over Brendan Schaub at UFC 134, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will now look to face Frank Mir in a rematch of their first bout from UFC 92. Claiming to have been suffering from a staph infection that evening, Nogueira did not look like himself and ultimately lost to Mir.
The loss still haunts the Brazilian to this day, which is why he specifically requested a rematch with the former UFC heavyweight champion. Reflecting on the loss, Nogueira said he feels motivated to pick up the victory over Mir when they meet at UFC 140.
“It’s a good fight. I’m in a row after this last win, I’ll be a lot motivated,” Nogueira told Tatame magazine.
Motivation has been the key as to what’s been pursuing Nogueira to continue his career. His loss to Mir certainly brought up questions of retirement and was a setback in the career of “Minotauro.” Nogueira would go on to win one more fight in his next two bouts, one of which saw him finished in devastating fashion by Cain Velasquez at UFC 110.
However, it’s his underwhelming performance against Mir that currently sees Nogueira at a crossroad in his legendary career, though Nogueira doesn’t fault Mir for earning the victory.
“He was better, I couldn’t impose my game and find the right distance to play,” he said. “He did good, surprised me, but this defeat motivates me to train and do different things so I can beat this guy up.”
This time around, Nogueira said he will not hesitate to stand with Mir, though he would like to utilize his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an area where he would feel the most comfortable in beating his opponent.
“There’s many to do before fighting on the ground,” he said, “and I want to be ready for anything, and that includes trading punches. I’ll be even better then.”
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