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Nog getting KO'd in training?

2K views 25 replies 16 participants last post by  Nikkolai 
#1 ·
SOURCE

Is Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's UFC 102 Training Camp for Randy Couture Really Going Well?

Royce_09_tiny by Kid Nate on Aug 22, 2009 11:29 PM EDT in News Comment 114 comments

Bignog_medium At the press conference call Nogueira emphasized that he is feeling the best he has in years:

"I'm 33 years old, and I have a lot to do in my career still," Nogueira said. "At least, I've got to fight a couple of more years.

"I know I'm still young and feel healthy. I still feel when I fight I'm very competitive. ... I'm in the best shape since 2005. I feel very good, and I did not feel like (that) in the last four years."

But rumors are swirling that his camp hasn't gone well and that he has been knocked out repeatedly in sparring sessions, a far cry from the iron-chinned Minotauro of old.

We will find out almost exactly one week from tonight. Personally, I'm hoping for the best Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira we've ever seen, but I just can't convince myself it's very likely.

The other question is this -- even if it is the best Big Nog we've ever seen, could that man beat Randy Couture? Perhaps if they had met ten years ago when Couture's submission defense game was much more limited. But in 2009, it's hard to draw a path to victory for Nogueira. He might be able to outpoint Couture on the feet, but he's never displayed KO power. There's no way he'll dominate the takedowns against Couture and it's highly unlikely he'll be able to sweep Randy from his back. That leaves the old hail mary triangle or arm bar from his back. But it's not 2003 and Randy ain't Mirko Cro Cop.
 
#8 ·
If Nog's chin proves to be seriously diminished, then he will be diminished as a fighter. One of his biggest assets was being able to take the necessary shots to get in and work his jitz. Without that, he is in big trouble with a ton of HW's.
 
#11 ·
He battled back to win a decision because he was outboxing Herring. He won't outbox Randy, so "battling back" will do him no good.

Nog needs a sub to win this. It is the only way I see it in my mind. Or a ridiculous, everything you got, Rashad Ko'ing Chuck, Haymaker landed on the chin/back of the neck.
 
#20 ·
yeah, and that was before he even began training in submissions. Still, if anyone is gonna submit Randy, Nog's the man to do it... I'm just not sure that he will.
 
#22 ·
Oh man, my heart says Nog, but my head says Couture. Nog was one of the main reasons I got in to MMA in the first place. I would love to see him get a title shot, sub lesnar, then retire. That would be the greatest thing to watch. Nog would have arguably the best HW resume ever!

Davisty, I couldn't agree more. I'm dreading the day that Nog gets crushed and his chin becomes no more. We have enough idiots as it is, we don't need them all bashing the legend that is Noguiera and calling him a can.
Yeah he needs his chin.

Whomever said they bet Noguiera feels 53. Man I agree with you too :( I hope Nog knows when it's time to quit. Not for the fans sake, but for his own health in the long run. He's one of my favourite fighters and I hate to think how his body will develop over the years.

Damn I'm nervous about this fight for him. Really really hoping he walks through Randy.
 
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