Coming soon: Antonio Rogerio 'Little Nog' Nogueira UFC bound

by MMAmania.com on Aug 19, 2009 6:24 AM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"He [Antonio Rogerio Nogueira] is coming to the UFC very soon. You are going to hear that. I don't know when. They've already talked to him, so for sure he's coming to the UFC."

Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira informs the media during yesterday's conference call to promote UFC 102 next weekend that his "little" twin brother, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, is on the verge of signing a deal with the promotion. No official announcement was made, nor were details revealed about when he could possibly make his Octagon debut. "Little Nog" is a top 205-pound competitor who enjoyed tremendous success alongside his brother, competing under the Pride FC banner in Japan. "Minotauro," however, went a different route when it was acquired by Zuffa in late 2007, fighting in smaller shows and for Affliction MMA. In fact, he recently scored a knockout win over Vladimir Matyushenko at "Day of Reckoning" earlier this year. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt was most recently in action in May 2009, submitting Dion Staring via triangle choke at a Jungle Fight event. He was expected to take on Alex Stiebling at Bitetti Combat on Sept. 12; however, it appears that the bout could be off thanks to this latest development. It should be real interesting to see where "Little Nog" fits in with the other UFC light heavyweights. He's good friends and training partners with current division champion, Lyoto Machida, which essentially rules out any championship hopes as long as he's on top. Any ideas on who -- and when -- he should fight next?

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“Any ideas on who — and when — he should fight next?”

Mousasi

lol

by introvert on Aug 19, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

I could see the UFC starting him off with a guy like Matt Hamill.. that could be interesting

by ---Caesar--- on Aug 19, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Wicked!! I’ve only seen him fight twice that I remember and he looked good both times the first fight I seen was in Pride were he TKO the Strikeforce HW champion Overeem I remember that one because I thought it was his brother at first until he stepped in the ring and was much smaller than Overeem the second was Affliction I don’t know against who and he looked good there too I haven’t read up or watched any of his other fights but from what I’ve seen he is a much better striker than his brother and most likely is a good JJ I imagine? Any wich way I’ve heard a lot of fan’s on here that say he is one of the best that the UFC doesn’t have I can’t wait to see how he looks in the octagon.

by Puck Head on Aug 19, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

First fight I saw him in was against Overeem, but it was their first fight. Always enjoyed watching him, he’ll be a more than useful addition.

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Watch his fight against Hendo. One of the best fights you’ll see period. His transitions and spider guard were sick.

by NameNotRequired on Aug 19, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

i want to see that one so bad, ill finally get to see that when my 2005 grand prix comes in, but ufc officially has lhw on lockdown. only top lhw not in the ufc is moussassi. i like the idea of having him fight hamill as a warmup or even kristoff

WAR LIL NOG!!!

by Jared on Aug 19, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Or Vera.

by DB on Aug 19, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Jared here you go it will look better on your TV the second time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFPMjNh0sAc

by Beaver on Aug 19, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

hey jared http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFPMjNh0sAc

by Beaver on Aug 19, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm, maybe the winner of Thiago Silva/Keith Jardine to start with. I’m thinkin November/december if they can swing it.

by O damn he got caught on Aug 19, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

“He was expected to take on Alex Stiebling at Bitetti Combat on Sept. 12; however, it appears that the bout is now off thanks to this latest development.”

Graciemag says otherwise…?

Minotouro guaranteed at Bitetti Combat

http://www.graciemag.com/news/144/ARTICLE/15324/2009-08-18.html

by Alpha Male on Aug 19, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s likely to be either Bonnar or Hammil, he’d destroy both.

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone like Hammil or an up n comer like Bones

by Insain on Aug 19, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

No way, too tough an opponent for Bones.

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

about time …he is a solid fighter

by robbyc on Aug 19, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Amen to that. Cant understand why he never came over when Pride folded???

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

UFC passed him over for Sok. Also some people claim marketing issue with his name being the same as Big Nog.

by NameNotRequired on Aug 19, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Two very lame reasons for not signing him, Soko turned out to be ace didn’t he!! Thanks for enlightening me though NNR

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

This will be a great addition the the LHW division in the UFC. I’d like to see him up against the winner of Jardine/Silva, or maybe the winner of Vera/the polish dude(can’t spell his f’in name).

by allamerican on Aug 19, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

I also think he should make a great addition to the UFC LHW roster. Lots of good fights for him.

by Jase on Aug 19, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Totally agree, quality fighter, could shake up the division a bit with his submission skills.

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

By what I seen he has good striking too but Iv’e only seen him fight two times that I remember anyway and both were KO & TKO.

by Puck Head on Aug 19, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely. I’m really excited to see how soon before he starts and who he’ll be fighting.

by Jase on Aug 19, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a better question… Who is Mousasi going to fight at LHW now?! There is no top level competitors in that division left outside the UFC. Strikeforce f’d themselves with Fedor and now the UFC will just snatch up all fighters just to ensure Strikeforce has no credible competitors for their champions. Who is Mousasi going to fight? Sokoudjou Mo Lawal?? haha Strikeforce is gonna get flushed out like Pride and Affliction.

by Jrich on Aug 19, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

i def see the ufc putting him in with someone like Soszynski or Cantwell, maybe even Bonnar or Hamill just to test him out an try to build him up

by matmar87 on Aug 19, 2009 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Cantwell for sure he was one of my favorite fighters comming from the wec

by Nor Cal Mexican (formely Philicutioner) on Aug 19, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Mania..you guys should know their nicknames by now. You gotta fix the report. Not to be a stickler. LOL’

Minotoro = Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Minotauro = Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

I’ve long said that their camp has some of best fighter’s altogether. I think we’ll start to see all that shine through very soon. These guys are gonna go on a serious run I believe. Cheers!!!

by Davey D on Aug 19, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

I think Bonnar is gonna get cut off the roster. He has had problems passing drug tests and he is just not performing very well. Hamill would be the more likely candidate, or the winner of Jardine and Silva. Little NOG is an extremely solid fighter and could very well take over the division.

by ASR on Aug 19, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Bonnar will NEVER get cut off the roster.

by CaptainAmerica on Aug 19, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree Bonner will not be cut it would take a more losses for that to happen and even then, he may not be cut.

by THORAZINe on Aug 19, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

No chance, Bonnar and Forrest will never be cut because of the success of their first fight, they’ll end up getting different roles in the company when they’re done as fighters. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make Bonnar a commentator or interviewer for the WEC.

by David W-S on Aug 19, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you guys actually think that this is a good move for the UFC? This guy is nothing like Minotauro. i THINK THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME MONEY AND VIEWING PLEASURE, I just DONT think THAT ROGERIO IS ELITE TOP LEVEL COMPETION FOR THE CURRENT 205POUNDERS. i DON’T CARE TO SEE HIM FIGHT.
LAST TIME I SAW HIM HE GOT KTFO BY SOUKOUDJU

by Carnage on Aug 19, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

take a look at his record. It speaks for itself.

by Jrich on Aug 19, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Carnage was prolly talking about Roy Jones Jr. being a waste of time, money, and viewing pleasure. I bet he doesn’t even know MMA. Cause if you know MMA, you’ll never say that to Lil NOG.

by Phasebook on Aug 19, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

and i saw mr perfect get knocked out by bob sap so? does that mean he sucks?

by shogun on Aug 19, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought the only guy who beat Mr Perfect was Brett “Hitman” Hart?

by attakdog on Aug 19, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah I remember a guy named Rampage getting KO’d twice by Wanderlei Silva in Pride…I guess he sucks too.

by THORAZINe on Aug 19, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

And Sok has ever = PRIDE Wandy?

by Diceman on Aug 19, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Stupid comment, you can’t judge a fighter over one fight. Lil Nog is a great fighter and other than Mousasi the top LHW outside of the UFC, he deserves a shot at fighting top competition as he’s looked good since the Soko defeat and was a success in Pride. Looking forward to seeing him fight, he’ll probabaly get Hamill for his debut or the Vera/Krzysztof loser.

by David W-S on Aug 19, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the Hamill suggestion, though maybe they are trying to build him back up and a loss to Lil Nog wouldn’t help that.

Maybe they will toss him a gimme to get his name rolling a little. Is James Irvin currently injured? What’s the story with Houston Alexander?

But good fights in general for him would be: Franklin, Jardine, Thiago Silva, Griffin. That’s about the skill level he will be very competitive with right now.

by revjames13 on Aug 19, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions