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Adam365 · 01-27-2011, 01:12 PM

http://mmajunkie.com/news/22238/big-...nteresting.mma

Quote:

Former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is not yet out of the woods in getting back to fighting shape.

Nogueira soon will undergo a second arthroscopic surgery on his hips and still is recovering from ACL surgery on his left knee. He likely faces several months of physical therapy before he is able to train again at full speed.

After initially targeting a return in spring, manager Ed Soares today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) the fighter now eyes a return at the UFC's second trip to Brazil, which is slated for Aug. 27 at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

And now that former champ Brock Lesnar has taken a gig as a coach on "The Ultimate Fighter 13" with an add-on title-eliminator bout against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131, the door is open for a return opponent.

Why not, Soares asks, book a rematch with Frank Mir for "Big Nog?"

"That would be an interesting fight," he said.

The two were scheduled to meet a second time this past August at UFC 119 before the severity of Nogueira's injuries forced him to withdraw from the fight. (Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic stepped in on a little more than a month's notice and got knocked out in the fight's final moments after nearly 15 minutes of tedious non-action.)

Recently, Nogueira said he'd love to tackle Lesnar. But the Brazilian also has pined for a rematch since their first fight at UFC 92, when Mir dominated him in striking en route to a second-round TKO victory. In several post-fight interviews, Nogueira revealed his battle with a bad staph infection that required a five-day stay in a hospital prior to the fight. Additionally, he suffered from an injury to his left knee that eventually forced him to undergo surgery this past fall.

Nogueira's recent injuries have prompted speculation that an 11-year career at the highest levels of MMA finally has caught up to him. With Nogueira's ability to take a spectacular amount of punishment before turning the tables on his opponents, fans have questioned whether he can continue fighting.

The former champion hasn't competed since February 2009 when now-champion Cain Velasquez knocked him out in two minutes and 20 seconds at UFC 110.

"There's no doubt that 'Big Nog' has been in a lot of battles," Soares said. "People have said he'd like the Rocky Balboa of MMA. I never understood why Timex didn't want to sponsor him; he takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

"But I can tell you that [Nogueira] still feels good. He still feels like he's got some great fights in front of him. His big goal is to try to be able to fight on that Brazil card. He's going in for his second hip surgery, I believe, in a couple weeks. He's already had his knee and his other hip done. But the recovery is coming along well. He's doing a lot of physical therapy. I believe we'll see 'Nog' come back."

Of more than 30 Brazilian fighters under UFC contract, Nogueira is one of a handful who seems a no-brainer for the summer card – if he's healthy. Teammate and middleweight champion Anderson Silva also appears to be a lock.

"'Nog' is a huge superstar out there, and I think that he'd be able to pack a stadium," Soares said.

But while the exact timeframe of Nogueira's recovery won't be known for some time, Soares assured fans that the legend isn't going anywhere.

"You'll definitely see 'Big Nog' back and winning fights again," he said.

For the latest on the UFC in Brazil card, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

I think he'd lose again, he hasn't been looking to good lately.

**vilify** · 01-27-2011, 01:21 PM

I wish Big Nog the best but a rematch with Mir is NOT interesting.

CutterKick · 01-27-2011, 01:30 PM

It's a bad move for Nog. Give him Cro Cop, it would be winnable.

Sambo de Amigo · 01-27-2011, 02:17 PM

Nog vs Mittrione ?

CutterKick · 01-27-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sambo de Amigo

Nog vs Mittrione ?

It would probably have trouble selling with Mitrione in it.

Sambo de Amigo · 01-27-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutterKick

It would probably have trouble selling with Mitrione in it.

Well im looking at it that Nog sells the fight anyway and he may actually be able to get a win.

But i agree Mir would pull more PPV buys but on the flipside it may backfire and people may not buy because

1. the 1st fight was very one sided
2. People seem to dislike rematches of 1 sided fights hahaha

UFC on VHS · 01-27-2011, 05:03 PM

I hope it does happen I have been waiting for the rematch for a long time.

CutterKick · 01-27-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sambo de Amigo

Well im looking at it that Nog sells the fight anyway and he may actually be able to get a win.

But i agree Mir would pull more PPV buys but on the flipside it may backfire and people may not buy because

1. the 1st fight was very one sided
2. People seem to dislike rematches of 1 sided fights hahaha

He get Cro Cop. It would appeal to Pride fans and still be an equal fight.

jonnyg4508 · 01-27-2011, 05:21 PM

Let him sub Kongo's sorry ass.

joshua7789 · 01-27-2011, 05:29 PM

There isnt really a reason for a rematch with Mir at the moment. Mir handed him his ass worse then anyone else had up until he fought Cain. He looked great against Randy then got destroyed by Cain. I think a person should win at least two fights in a row before they get a rematch with someone that completely kicked there ass the first time they fought. He needs to prove that he can bring something more to the table before he gets that rematch.

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