Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on the UFC, Rematch with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Brazilian Dominance

Published on: 30th November, 2009

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on the UFC, Rematch with Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua and Brazilian Dominance | read this item

After making waves in his Octagon debut in a first round KO victory over light heavyweight contender Luiz Cane earlier this month at UFC 106 former PRIDE and Affliction veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira talks about what it is like to be in the best MMA organization in the world to his Brazilian countryman ruling the 205 pound weight class and eventually having his rematch with top light heavyweight contender Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua at some point in the near future.

In a recent interview with Tatame.com the twin brother of former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira says that his work outside the UFC was the reason for him to make it to the organization and is very happy to be fighting amongst the best in the business.

“We received a good proposal, that’s the plan, the objective of my career. I was able to build a good record outside of Brasil and be ranked among the top 5, which meant that I could get a good contract. It’s an honor to be fighting in the UFC, but it was the fruit of well-planned hard work.”

Lil’ Nog is then asked how deep the UFC light heavyweight division and how much more of an impact will Brazilian fighters such as himself and others strive to make their presence known in the years to come.

“Now there are lots of good guys in that division, including Brazilians, that are showing their strength, like Thiago Silva, Lyoto, myself, there are a lot of strong guys in the division, the Americans as well, like Jardine, Evans, the category is very strong. I hope that the Brazilians dominate the division. God willing, it will happen.”

However, one fight that Minotouro Nogueira seeks out is a rematch with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua who defeated Nogueira back at PRIDE “Critical Countdown” back in 2005.

“Shogun is a great fighter, a great champion and he was in the best stage of his career til today. He has his merits, at the end of the fight I tried to take his back… If I had finished the fight there at his back, I would have been able to change the story of the fight.”

The matchup was one of the best fights in PRIDE’s history and I am almost certain the UFC will make that fight happen once again, but first Nogueira would have to win in his next fight with whoever it may be as for Shogun who has been granted his rematch with Nogueira’s teammate Lyoto Machida for the light heavyweight championship set for UFC 113 in May of 2010.

Either way, that fight can happen at some point in 2010. Thoughts?

Photo: UFC.com