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UFC 153: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Fought with a Fractured Rib

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira stepped up to the plate with only a month to go to face Dave Herman at UFC 153. The fight meant little in the heavyweight rankings but was predicted to be an entertaining fight as every MMA fan loves watching “Big Nog” compete….

The master of overcoming adversity didn’t suffer too many challenges in the Octagon, but that doesn’t mean Nogueira didn’t have to overcome any adversity in this fight. According to Tatame, the Brazilian fought with a fractured rib. Nogueira said (translated by Google):

Fractured my rib three weeks ago on my right side. I went to the doctor, I took a local anesthetic to be able to train and when he (Dave Herman) gave me a shot there, gave me a shortness of breath and took a swung from one side to the other to see what had happened, had broken. There was a big break, but got scared when the kick hit him.

The fight against Herman was Nogueira’s first since Dec. of 2011 when the former Pride and UFC champion suffered a broken arm against Frank Mir. Nogueira was able to defeat Herman via second-round tapout due to an armbar.

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By the Way, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Kicked Dave Herman’s Ass With a Broken Rib

(“You know what else doesn’t work on me? Left hooks to the fa-DAMN IT!” / Photo via Inovafoto)

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is the oldest 36-year-old in the history of humanity. And while he came into his UFC 153 fight against Dave Herman as a more-than 2-1 favorite, he didn’t inspire much confidence at the weigh-ins, where he dragged his way up to the stage, shook Arianny Celeste‘s hand (perhaps mistaking her for Burt Watson?), used his brother to brace himself while taking off his wind pants, removed his shirt to reveal a noticeably soft midsection, then limped his way to the staredown.

As it turns out, there’s a reason why Big Nog may have looked even more decrepit than usual that weekend (via MMAConvert):

Former interim UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira fought Dave Herman at UFC 153 with a fractured rib. Nogueira suffered the injury a week into training for the short notice bout with Herman in Brazil. “Fractured my rib three weeks ago on my right side,” said Nogueira, in an interview with SporTV. “I went to the doctor, took a local anesthetic to be able to train.”

(“You know what else doesn’t work on me? Left hooks to the fa-DAMN IT!” / Photo via Inovafoto)

As it turns out, there’s a reason why Big Nog may have looked even more decrepit than usual that weekend (via MMAConvert):

With a redemptive armbar victory over a jackass in his home country — and after a two-year stretch that saw him undergo surgery on two knees, a hip, and an arm, not to mention countless smaller injuries including the aforementioned rib — you’d think this might be a good moment for Nogueira to step away from the sport like a hero, without risking any more long-lasting damage to his body. Obviously, that’s not happening, and Nogueira is asking for a top-ten opponent in his next appearance. Jesus, man, what’s it gonna take? Are you really going to keep fighting until your entire body looks like that hole in your back?

Our suggestion: Feed Nog #1 light-heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen, after Sonnen inevitably crashes and burns against Jon Jones. Unless Nogueira wants a top-ten heavyweight, in which case we got nothin’.

UFC 153 Medical Suspensions: Maldonado and Teixeira out Up to 6 Months

If you purchased the pay-per-view portion of UFC 153, you saw one of the most one-sided beatings in recent UFC history. The latest golden boy of the light heavyweight division, Glover Teixeira, pummeled Fabio Maldonado mercilessly over the course of 10 minutes before the doctor did what the referee should have done much earlier in the fight and ended the carnage.

The FightMetric numbers, which indicate that Teixeira landed 85 significant strikes, don’t do justice to the real significance of the strikes.

When Maldonado entered the Octagon, he came out to the Rocky theme. The choice was prophetic, for after 10 minutes his face resembled that of Balboa in the final scenes of the first Rocky film. It was that bad. All that was missing was Maldonado going to the corner and saying, “Cut me, Mick.” The beating put Maldonado in the hospital and also earned him a six-month medical suspension.

Teixeira paid the price for the beating he administered as well, also earning a possible six-month suspension. Three other fighters also received possible 180-day suspensions: Sergio Moraes, Chris Camozzi and Luiz Cane.

Full UFC 153 Medical Suspensions (via MMAJunkie.com):

Fighters Suspended for 30 Days, with 21 Days No Contact

Joey Gambino
Diego Brandao
Erick Silva
Dave Herman

Fighters Suspended for 45 Days, with 30 Days No Contact

Sam Sicilia
Reza Madadi
Cristiano Marcello
Stephan Bonnar

Longer Suspensions Pending Medical Clearance

Luiz Cane was suspended for 180 days but can be cleared early pending an X-ray of his left orbital bone and nasal bone: minimum suspension of 45 days, with 30 days no contact.

Chris Camozzi was suspended for 180 days but can be cleared early pending an X-ray of his nasal bone: minimum suspension of 45 days, with 30 days no contact.

Sergio Moraes was suspended for 180 days but can be cleared early pending an MRI of his right knee: minimum suspension of 45 days, with 30 days no contact.

Fabio Maldonado was suspended for 180 days but can be cleared early pending a neurological exam: minimum suspension of 45 days, with 30 days no contact.

Glover Teixeira was suspended for 180 days but can be cleared early pending an X-ray of his right hand and right elbow: minimum suspension of 45 days, with 30 days no contact.

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UFC 153 Superlatives: The Best and Worst from the Entire Fight Card

Following injuries to Jose Aldo and Quinton Jackson, UFC 153 looked like it could join UFC 151 as the only events to ever be cancelled in UFC history.However, middleweight champion Anderson Silva decided to step up and take a light heavy…

Following injuries to Jose Aldo and Quinton Jackson, UFC 153 looked like it could join UFC 151 as the only events to ever be cancelled in UFC history.

However, middleweight champion Anderson Silva decided to step up and take a light heavyweight bout with Stephan Bonnar. That matchup, and the addition of a bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Dave Herman, would help save UFC 153 from cancellation.

Even with some mismatched main card fights, UFC 153 produced several entertaining moments and proved to be an event worth keeping.

Still, Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was not without flaws. The fight card saw a number of premature stand-ups and a controversial decision that led to Reza Madadi’s first loss inside the Octagon.

Every UFC event has its high and low points. These are the best and worst from the entire UFC 153 fight card.

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UFC 153 Results: Power Ranking the Performances from Saturday Night

UFC 153 has come and gone. The event held at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil delivered an action-packed night of fights.Anderson Silva continued to showcase his incredible skills with a first round humiliation of Stephan Bonnar in th…

UFC 153 has come and gone. The event held at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil delivered an action-packed night of fights.

Anderson Silva continued to showcase his incredible skills with a first round humiliation of Stephan Bonnar in the main event.

In the co-main event of the evening Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira returned from injury to get a submission win over Dave Herman.

Twelve fights in total went down in Rio. This is how the 24 fighters stacked up to one another at UFC 153.

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Anderson Silva: Why He Hasn’t Earned the Right to Choose His Opponents

Anderson Silva’s greatness knows no bounds.He extended his UFC record to 16-0 at UFC 153 on Saturday night in a lopsided light heavyweight bout with Stephan Bonnar.After toying with Bonnar for most of the first round, Silva finally listened to the plea…

Anderson Silva‘s greatness knows no bounds.

He extended his UFC record to 16-0 at UFC 153 on Saturday night in a lopsided light heavyweight bout with Stephan Bonnar.

After toying with Bonnar for most of the first round, Silva finally listened to the pleas of his corner and finished the fight with a well-placed knee to the solar plexus.

It was a masterful performance that only fed UFC president Dana White‘s belief that Silva is the greatest fighter in the history of any combat sports.

“He’s the greatest of all time. I think he’s the greatest in any combat sport. Anderson Silva just does amazing things that nobody else can do,” White said after the post-fight press conference.

“Watch every fight that he has. Enjoy every moment that he’s here, because when he’s gone, you’re gonna regret it [if you don’t].”

While Silva’s talent is undeniable, some have scoffed at him for attempting to pick and choose opponents.

Chris Weidman, who is coming off impressive back-to-back wins over top-10 middleweight opposition, has been left out in the cold in the UFC title picture. With his career winding down, Silva is seeking marquee fights against bigger names in the sport.

Is this fair? Does Silva have the right to pick and choose opponents?

To be fair, Silva doesn’t necessarily pick and choose his opponents. He only offers suggestions, which the UFC could deliver upon or opt to pass over.

With that said, a champion should always face the No. 1 contender in the division, regardless of notoriety.

The middleweight division is one of the thinnest in the sport, but as UFC champion, Silva has to be prepared to face whoever emerges as the next contender. Considering the talent pool in the division, there will obviously be a fight here or there that won’t attract as much attention.

During the UFC 153 post-fight press conference, Silva claimed he doesn’t fight for the money. If this is true, he should be willing to fight the next contender in line for the UFC title, which is either Weidman or Michael Bisping.

It’s fun to see Silva jump up to light heavyweight from time to time and even entertain a future superfight with Georges St-Pierre, but as the reigning middleweight champ, the show must go on.

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