While Nogueira’s intestinal fortitude was respectable it also put him on the shelf for a significant period for time in order to recover from his shattered limb. However, now that he’s undergone the necessary surgery the popular pugilist is already back to lightly working out with the pace expected to pick up in the coming months. Nogueira updated fans on his condition in an interview with TATAME where he reflected on the loss and pulled a positive out of the situation.

“I was really upset about what happened, but it wasn’t meant to be,” the 35-year old icon explained. “I had it in my hands, I saw the knockout, but I stopped and used a completely mistaken game plan. I stopped punching when I shouldn’t and I paid it with a loss.”

In terms of how his arm is doing now, Nogueira continued, “The doctor told me after six weeks I can do my cardio, but I gotta wait at least two and a half months to put impact on my arm,” adding he’s been swimming as a means of strengthening it.

“I think about fighting in the middle of the year, but I gotta be patient,” Nogueira concluded, saying he was trying to be read in time for the UFC’s rumored stop in Sao Paolo, Brazil this June. Until then he’ll continue rehabbing with the expectation his affected bones will have fully solidified by the end of February. The show is expected to feature champions Anderson Silva and Junior dos Santos in respective action with the background of 100,000 fans in a soccer stadium.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Nogueira, a little more than a week removed from the gruesome submission loss, has since had surgery on the arm after originally saying he had hoped to avoid the knife. The procedure occurred Friday in Colorado. According to a report on TATAME, assuming recovery goes as planned, the Brazilian icon should be back in the gym by his 36th birthday this coming June.

The 33-7-1 Nogueira is 2-3 in his last five fights with all three losses involving some form of stoppage. Prior to his latest slide, a likely product of age finally catching up with him after years of absorbing abuse in the ring, the submission-specialist had never been finished in a fight while racking up victories over the likes of Tim Sylvia, Randy Couture, Mirko Filipovic, Dan Henderson, and Josh Barnett.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

This Saturday night, Nogueira takes on Frank Mir in the co-main event of UFC 140. Mir defeated Nogueira back at UFC 92, handing the legend his first knockout loss of his career.

Since that time, Nogueira has had an up-and-down run, going 2-1. He defeated Randy Couture, lost to Cain Velasquez and stopped Brendan Schaub earlier this year.

“I’m feeling better,” said Nogueira, in a recent interview with the UFC’s website. “Before I was feeling like 45; now I feel like 25.”

As for that day in 2008 when Mir stopped him, Nogueira says, “He won that day, I can’t change the story. That day he fought better. He was faster, he was more athletic than me, and it worked for his game.”

“Big Nog” would like nothing more than to defeat Mir and work his way right into contending for the ultimate prize, but that would be on hold if Junior dos Santos remains champion. Nogueira and dos Santos are training partners and friends, and “Minotauro” has said several times he would never gave his student.

“I don’t have that goal right now to fight for the title because he’s got the title,” Nogueira said. “I want to be the best I can in my weight division, but it is not my goal right now.”

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

UFC officials confirmed the bout on UFC.com

Arguably the greatest heavyweight grappler of all-time, Nogueira returned to the cage this past August after an 18 month layoff that included hip and knee surgery against up-and-comer Brendan Schaub. It was the first time Nogueira fought in his home country of Brazil, and he didn’t disappoint the native crowd, knocking out Schaub in the first round to earn “Knockout of the Night” honors. One of the most decorated fighters in MMA history, Nogueira is the only man to hold both the PRIDE and UFC heavyweight belts and has defeated the likes of Randy Couture, Mirko Cro Cop, Josh Barnett, and Dan Henderson.

A former UFC heavyweight champion himself, Mir has won six of his last eight fights and most recently defeated Roy Nelson at UFC 130. Known for his jiu-jitsu, Mir has been doing more striking as of late. He knocked out Cro Cop with a huge knee at UFC 119 and dropped Cheick Kongo with a left hand in their bout at UFC 107. Mir will no doubt be looking to prove that his victory over Nogueira in 2008 had nothing to do with the Brazilians condition.

UFC 140 is scheduled for December 10 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Also on the card is a welterweight fight between hot prospect Rory MacDonald and veteran Brian Ebersole.

Then again, if it were up to Nogueira, there’d apparently only be one – Frank Mir.

Mir and Nogueira originally met in December 2008 where the outspoken Las Vegas native went on to become the first man to ever finish “Minotauro”. Though a rematch was scheduled for UFC 119, Nogueira was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a series of injuries ultimately sidelining him until his appearance last weekend in Rio de Janeiro.

“I’d like to fight Mir, I want to fight UFC Japan. I’d like to fight UFC Canada, which will happen later this year. Fighting Mir is something I’d love to do. I’m motivated to fight him,” the PRIDE icon explained in a recent conversation with Tatame.

His interest in facing the former UFC heavyweight champ was echoed in an interview with MMAFighting where the 35-year old offered similar thoughts on Mir, saying, “You know, I lost the (first) fight. He’s a tough opponent. He’s a good guy. I’d like to fight him.”

With Mir’s calendar currently clear and Nogueira escaping UFC 134 without any real damage, not to mention the UFC’s plans to visit Toronto in December and rumors of a February 2012 card in Japan, he may just get his wish. And, if his showing in Brazil was indicative of what a healthy version of “Minotauro” can do, things should clearly unfold quite differently than they did three years back.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Now, thanks to video shot by Strikeforce lightweight Gesias “J.Z. Cavalcante, you don’t have to. The 28-year old Brazilian was among of group of Nogueira’s peers watching backstage and had his camera out for the occasion.

Watch the amazing footage below as the crowd featuring Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, among others, explodes into unbridled joy including an honest, emotional reaction from one of, if not the, baddest man on the planet – Anderson Silva:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBrbNvXNDyY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/MARCELO ALONSO

When the smoke cleared in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 134, Nogueira had notched a TKO win over streaking heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub – only the third strike-based stoppage he’d ever scored – and further cemented his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The moment was not lost on “Minotauro” who spoke about the experience at the post-show press conference where he referred to the role his fellow Brazilians played in the performance, both those who he trains with and the thousands of strangers showering him with support in the HSBC Arena.

“For me it was a great dream. I’m coming back from three surgeries that I had this year. I did have to stop training for one year but I started training again four months’ (ago) so I was able to count on the support from all of my team – Anderson, my brother, Feijao, Pezao. I was very thrilled,” Nogueira explained while mentioning middleweight champ Anderson Silva, twin sibling Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Rafael Cavalcante, and Antonio Silva.

“I was only able to fight with such a short time to recover physically because of the Brazilian people so this victory was for the Brazilian people,” he concluded while flashing a continuous smile that likely hasn’t left his face since finishing Schaub.

In fact, Nogueira was so moved by the entire experience at the event he confessed a level of anxiety he hadn’t felt before despite having fought in front of larger crowds and against bigger-name opponents.

“This is my fortieth fight and I need to admit that when I was walking to the ring I was super-nervous, so nervous I couldn’t really look up to the crowd,” the 35-year revealed. “It was only after I finished the fight that I actually looked up to the crowd and saw how much noise was being made. For me it was a great pleasure.”

What’s next for Nogueira remains to be seen but one thing is clear – this past Saturday night is one the 33-6-1 competitor will never forget.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Nogueira recently spoke to Tatame about how he’s approaching his upcoming bout with Brendan Schuab as well as what it’s been like to have Strikeforce Grand Prix semifinalist Antonio Silva around to help prepare him for the fight.

“The prep is great, I’m having the support of my friends here, thank God, like Pedro Rizzo, Anderson Silva, ‘Bigfoot,’ who came here and is helping me on this final phase of the training,” Nogueira explained of his camp before adding, “There’s also Junior (dos Santos), Rafael Feijao, who’s my training partner and helped me a lot. The expectations are high. There’s that pressure of fighting at home and representing the Brazilian people, and it’ll be almost my 40th bout… I’m super motivated!”

However, while “Minotauro” may refer to pressure, rather than fold underneath it he’s used it as a source of motivation.

“It’ll be my first fight here, so I’m excited about it, I’m really motivated. Four months ago I was using crutches to help me walk, and now being here training with high level athletes proves I overcame many obstacles.”

Nogueira only had positive things to say when talk turned to “Bigfoot” where he added he felt Silva would definitely emerge as Strikeforce’s Grand Prix Champion, saying, “He has always been a top guy because he’s a big guy, agile, thin… He’s not a heavy or really muscle guy, he’s just big, he has good takedowns, he has a good ground game, he has good boxing skills, he has a perfect wrestling…he’s practically a international level wrestler. He trains his takedowns a lot, he’s explosive, he has great conditioning, he has a good head too, and when the fight comes he becomes even bigger. He’s not a lion at the gym, (but) he’s a lion on the fights.”

When asked about his hopes of keeping Silva around, the 35-year old playfully responded, “We’re treating him right. He’s on a flat in front of the beach, he has all the structure and he’s doing fine.”

Nogueira is 32-6-1 in his career with too many notable wins to count including victories over Tim Sylvia, Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, and Josh Barnett. More than half of his in-ring success has been the result of his BJJ, considered to be among the top in his division if not the best.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

News of the heavyweight match-up was revealed through the UFC’s website.

The confirmation of his bout with Nogueira likely came as a relief to the 8-1 Schaub who had openly lobbied for an opportunity to face the grizzled submission specialist since beating Filipovic. When the two fighters lock horns at UFC Rio, “The Hybrid” will be seeking his fifth consecutive win including the knockout of Filipovic and success against former title-contender Gabriel Gonzaga. Seven of his eight overall wins have been the result of a strike-based finish.

Were Schaub’s physical abilities not enough of a challenge Nogueira has been sidelined since February 2010 meaning he will be shaking off eighteen months’ of ring-rust when the cage door closes on August 27. However, with thirty-nine total fights under his belt there is little doubt “Minotauro” will be prepared and has a wealth of experience to use to his advantage. Among Nogueira’s many memorable performances are victories over Filipovic, Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, Dan Henderson, and Fabricio Werdum.

Nogueira is the latest fighter from Brazil to receive a rare opportunity to compete in front of his countrymen and will be joined on the card by fellow local products like UFC 185-pound champ Anderson Silva and recent light heavyweight belt-holder Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

“I’m doing my third surgery within a month,” the popular Brazilian explained in a conversation with Tatame. “There were three injuries that I had: my knee, my right hip and my left hip. I have these injuries for eight years, but about three years ago it started blocking me from training hard. I handled it, but I couldn’t do my last fight and really, if you can’t train 100%, you won’t do a good fight. I did these surgeries on the right time and I’m treating myself with the greatest hip doctor of the world…the guy guarantees I’ll be 100% for the second (part of the year).”

Nogueira was knocked out by heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez in February 2010 at UFC 110 after having outpointed Randy Couture in his previous bout.

As far as a specific show, or even an opponent, for his return to action the PRIDE icon expressed his interest in competing at the UFC’s upcoming event in Rio de Janeiro but wasn’t sure if he’d be completely recovered in time for the Fall 2011 card.

And, while he didn’t mention having anyone in particular on his mind, Nogueira showed interest in possibly facing Brock Lesnar one day, saying, “(Junior dos Santos) will fight Lesnar now, but he’s a guy I’ve always wanted to confront and it’d be a great fight. I enjoy fighting big guys. I think it forces me to use my speed and my guard…I’ve always been interested on fighting bigger guys.”

In closing, Nogueira made it clear he may have made his name in the past by taking on the world’s cream of the heavyweight crop but that fans shouldn’t write him off because of his recent 1-2 record. “I’ve fought the best of my division. I didn’t have an easy opponent. I really am one of the guys who fought great guys, but I have much more to show you, I am not done yet.”

“Minotauro” is 32-6-1 in his career with wins over a number of top opponents including Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Mark Coleman in their prime, as well as Couture, Dan Henderson, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, and Fabricio Werdum. Twenty of the submission-specialist’s wins have come by way of tapout.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

The news of the recent shifting of the bout comes courtesy of a recent report from MMAJunkie.com.

UFC 110 is expected for February and will mark the first time the promotion ventures to Australia.

The two had previously been scheduled to face off during the main event of UFC 108 slated for January 2, but luckily Nogueira must feel optimistic enough to compete just one month later.

Velasquez will be looking to build upon his undefeated record and his most recent victories over respected heavyweights in Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo, while Nogueira is coming off of his electrifying war waged with Randy Couture in which he was awarded with the decision, following the disappointing TKO defeat at the hands of Frank Mir.

Dana White

According to White, the infection is so bad it has gotten into Nogueira’s bloodstream and the former PRIDE superstar will have to be hospitalized while given antibiotics.

The cancellation adds to a recent string of illnesses and injuries affecting a number of UFC main events, including next weekend’s UFC 106 card which was originally scheduled to feature Brock Lesnar defending his title against Shane Carwin and Mark Coleman in Forrest Griffin’s spot opposite Tito Ortiz.

The unfortunate situation also leaves the freshly victorious Velasquez without an opponent and UFC 108 without a main event. While the idea of inserting Carwin into the slot vacated by Nogueira was mentioned, the UFC President stated the current top heavyweight contender was not an option due to recent knee surgery he’d undergone. However, White assured fans the UFC would find a suitable headlining bout for the January 2nd, 2010 event, saying, “This is my business; this is what we do.”

UPDATE: Shane Carwin took to his Twitter on Sunday to clarify his status, stating “Did not have surgery. I was injured and when Brock pulled out of 108 I got the injury looked at and began rehab. I have a grade 2 MCL Strain.”

According to Tatame.com, Nogueira’s manager recently confirmed the bout to Sensei Sportv’s blog.

UFC 108 is expected to take place on January 2 from Las Vegas, Nevada, with a possible heavyweight championship bout between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin acting as the headliner.

The winner of the bout between Nogueira and Velasquez will likely be next in line for a crack at the UFC heavyweight championship.

Nogueira is fresh off of his fight of the night victory over Randy Couture at UFC 102 following a TKO defeat at the hands of Frank Mir during UFC 92, while Velasquez has yet to taste defeat in his professional career, most recently racking up back to back victories over the likes of Cheick Kongo and Ben Rothwell.

In a recent conversation with Tatame.com, Alves went on to explain, “It’s not 100% yet, but Rodrigo might fight in December. When I was in the US, I heard some rumors that he could face Napão (Gonzaga)… It’s not right yet, but I heard that he could fight him, then would move forward to the title. I think, by the middle of 2010, we’ll fight for the title again.”

There are two major UFC events taking place in December, one of which will be the TUF 10 Finale on December 5, and UFC 107 one week later on December 12.

It seems as if this bout were to take place, it would be more likely to take place during UFC 107 in Memphis. While the card already has solid bouts like B.J. Penn vs. Diego Sanchez, and Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo, a heavyweight showdown between the fellow Brazilians would surely bolster the last event for the UFC before the end of the year.

Obviously nothing is set in stone at this time. Stay tuned to FiveOunceofPain.com as we continue to keep you up to date on this potential heavyweight bout with possible title implications for at least one of the two fighters.

Prior to Saturday, Nogueira was coming off an embarrassing loss to Frank Mir at UFC 92, and many were considering the former UFC and Pride champion well past his prime.

It seems the 33 year old Brazilian has silenced his critics and put himself right back into title contention with an electrifying decision win over Hall of Famer, Randy Couture. In a bout that critics are already nominating as Fight of the Year, Nogueira proved he stills belongs in the top heavyweight pound-for pound rankings.

The veteran submission specialist recently spoke about which future opponents he would like to face, recently stating in a conversation with MMAWeekly.com, “I like big fights like that. I’ll be ready if they gave me a good opponent. It would be my pleasure, but if they gave me a title shot, it would be awesome.”

Asked how he would match up against current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, Big Nog continued,“I have more experience than him (Lesnar). That’s a big advantage I have. A lot of jiu-jitsu and good standing up, make him tired man, move around, move around. When I get his timing, hit him with a good right hand and box him, box him and get him tired. I’ve been in there a long time. I can see what’s going on. If he goes on the top into my guard, I can play with him. Let’s see, let’s see what is going to happen.”

It remains to be seen what the UFC has planned for the newly rejuvenated Nogueira, but if Saturdays win was any indication of what’s in store for the future, it only takes one fight to wake a sleeping giant.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

The six-time UFC champion and the dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt got after it right off the bat during the main event that took place in Portland, Oregon, exchanging powerful strikes that left both men battered and bruised when it was all said and done. A see-saw battle that saw Couture avoiding submissions and doing his best to work his trademark ground and pound while on the canvas.

In the end the judges saw the bout in Nogueira’s favor, awarding him with the unanimous decision victory, and throwing the decorated veteran right back into the mix of the UFC’s heavyweight division in the process.

While Couture ended up on the losing end of the decision, he showed that he is far from done in the fight game at forty-six years of age. Whether “The Natural” hangs them up for good, or possibly decides on a switch back down to light-heavyweight will surely be decided in the coming days. From what he showed this evening though, there appears to be no reason for Randy to call it quits just yet.

UFC 102 is scheduled to take place at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon on August 29 and will air live on pay-per-view.

The event will be the first ever UFC to make its way to Oregon.

“We’re extremely excited to be heading to Portland,” said UFC President Dana White in the announcement. “When you get two mixed-martial-arts legends who are all heart and have wanted to fight each other for years, plus the fact that Randy has roots in Oregon, that tells me that not only will the crowd be electric, but it’s also a night where the fighters will be looking to cement their legacies.”

The August bout will be the first return to action for Couture since he lost the heavyweight championship to Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 in November of 2008. Couture had compiled two consecutive victories in the UFC’s heavyweight division just prior to that loss over the likes of Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Nogueira will be making his return after losing the UFC interim heavyweight championship to Frank Mir in December of 2008 at UFC 92. He also had a victory over Sylvia just prior to his most recent loss, along with wins over Heath Herring in the UFC and Josh Barnett in PRIDE.

The bout between Couture and Nogueira will be just one of five match ups expected for UFC 102 pitting Brazilians against Americans.

A full list of the bouts expected for UFC 102 are listed below:

Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia

Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva

James Irvin vs. Wilson Gouveia

Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuchscherer

Matt Veach vs. Evan Dunham

The news was first reported by MMAWeekly.com, which is citing sources close to Couture’s camp. A location for UFC 101 has yet to be finalized, but MMA Weekly added that Portland, Oregon is a potential destination.

The 46-year old Couture had been rumored for several bouts in recent months, including a possible fight vs. Mirko Cro Cop this June in Cologne, Germany at UFC 99.

If finalized, the fight would mark Couture’s first bout since losing the UFC heavyweight title to Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 this past November. Fighting for the first time in nearly a year and a half, Couture was TKO’d at 3:07 of round 2.

Nogueira is also coming off a loss in his last bout, a fight in which he lost the interim UFC heavyweight title after suffering a second round TKO against Frank Mir this past December at UFC 92.

One of the major topics discussed during the interview was Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira losing the interim UFC heavyweight title to Frank Mir following a second round TKO. The win by Mir was considered a major upset and White shared his thoughts as to why the surprise outcome may have occurred.

“Nogueira had some other problems too going into [UFC 92]. Nogueira had just gotten over a Staph infection and he had some other problems but when [Nogueira] fought in PRIDE. PRIDE put on such freak shows — guys fighting out of their weight class, things like that. That’s why I’m so against it. That’s how you ruin guys early. If you’re a professional athlete, time is not good to you. Time catches us all.”

One of the “freak show” fights that White was referencing was Nogueira’s 2002 bout vs. Bob Sapp during PRIDE’s “Shockwave” event. Sapp is a 350-plus pound former NFL offensive lineman who outweighed Nogueira by over 100 pounds.

Despite the disparity in weight, Nogueira still submitted Sapp with an armbar at 4:03 of round 2. However, the win came with a price as the former PRIDE heavyweight champion suffered a sustained amount of punishment during the vast majority of the content.

What’s next for Nogueira is not know, however, White did not rule out the possibility of a fight between him and former UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture.

“I would accept the fight with Randy Couture,” Nogueira said. “It would be a nice match.”

With both men recently losing their shares of the heavyweight championship, the fight would appear to be a natural fit for both fighters. Nogueira believes that the fight would be a big draw.

“He lost his last fight, but he is still a legend,” Nogueira said. “It would be a great promotion.”