UFC Quick Quote: 'Minotoro' surprises Dana White; makes 'Big Nog' proud

by Eduardo Cruz on Nov 23, 2009 12:09 PM EST

I didn’t sleep well yet. The adrenaline was so high and I’m very happy. I trained hard and that debut was against a very tough guy. Cane is a warrior. Dana told me ‘Do you have the idea who you just defeated? The man we were about to match as the next contender for the belt.’ Dana enjoyed the fight so much, but to be honest, one of the things that made me happier was to see my brother proud. Sometimes, in middle of the confusion of interviews, the crowd celebrating, I looked at him and saw the pride on his face. It was very good to see."

--Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira talks to InTheGuard.tv about his debut at UFC 106 this past Saturday (Nov. 21) with a stunning first round TKO over Luiz Cane. The Brazilian light heavyweight and former PRIDE star spent his entire camp in Brazil at Team Minotauro with Luiz Dorea, team mate Rafael "Feijão" Cavalcante and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Fantasy matchmakers -- who comes next for "Lil Nog?"

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Have to say I have never been overly impressed with cane, but lil nog looked awesome. I expected him to win but not in such a devestating fashion. Would like to see lil nog against Forrest next to build up a title shot against hopefully shogun

by eagzy on Nov 23, 2009 8:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

agree all the way

griffin vs lil nog maybe around march would be nice

by irish maniac on Nov 23, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Never impressed with cain???

Have you even seen the guy fight?

by GOLDIGGAH on Nov 23, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

Cane would have trucked both Forrest and Tito

even in a tag team match. I dare anyone to say othewise.

I say put Nog against the winner of Rashad-Silva if Rampage isn’t back otherwise against forrest. Forrest-Franklin then put Cane against Jardine. Put Tito against Jon Jones after he beats up hammill or do a wand rematch. This will probly sort everything out in the division.

by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Nov 23, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

wandy is a MW now

by GOLDIGGAH on Nov 23, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

return to glory

yeah, and he finally got his nose fixed so he can sleep, which he hasn’t done in years. At MW, I think he’s gonna be a MAJOR force to be reconned with. And he’s got scores to settle with Hendo and Vitor. Should be very exciting. But the match I’ve been screaming for is Wandy vs Marquardt. That would be a war and a great learning experience for Nate before he takes another shot at The Spider.

by (shonuff) on Nov 23, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Thiago Silva

by Shaun32887 on Nov 29, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

While I was watching Nog use his superior boxing to destroy cane, I was thinking, “Cane would kill Forrest or Tito”. Nog really impressed me, nice to see him not fall victim to the “first UFC fight” epidemic.

And yeah, I know MMamath doesn’t work, but that’s MMA algebra. MMA advanced calculus actually has a 92% accuracy rating.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."

Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)

by Jeremyjackson on Nov 23, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

The MMA algebra and andvanced calculus made my day ahah

pwilson

by ppwwpp on Nov 23, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

next.....

RANDY!!!! come on! lost to big brother gets revenge aginst little brother? is no one ele excited about that possible matchup? forrest would be cool tho..

by victorymma on Nov 23, 2009 8:50 AM EST reply actions

Nope

Randy just won a fight, which means he gets a title shot.

I'm kind of a big deal.

by P-Dub on Nov 23, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

Funny… but Randy is already fighting the other geezer on the UFC payroll.

by BNF on Nov 23, 2009 12:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Chuck?

tito? Matt Hughes?

Fedor is the king…
P4P best ever.
Now get on your knees…
and bow down to the sweater!!! -infamous Mania Blogger.

by jay. on Nov 23, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Try Coleman

by Synyster_08 on Nov 23, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

or Trigg/Serra winner

by Synyster_08 on Nov 23, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

I know syn

Just playin’

Fedor is the king…
P4P best ever.
Now get on your knees…
and bow down to the sweater!!! -infamous Mania Blogger.

by jay. on Nov 23, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

ur wrong..

fedor sucks dick..

by guyverbob on Nov 23, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

BOB

No one knows that better than I do. I lost a bet to Introvert. That is his picture and poem choice.

Fedor is the king…
P4P best ever.
Now get on your knees…
and bow down to the sweater!!! -infamous Mania Blogger.

by jay. on Nov 23, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

Lil Nog has faster cleaner hands, slicker motion and more power with equal BJJ.

Captain paycheck would get smashed worse than ever.

by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Nov 23, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Not unless he grabbed Lil Nog and held him up against the fence while grinding his crotch up against him...He would win a UD.

by OJR on Nov 23, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

agreed!

cagar é uma filosofia profunda...
a merda bate na água e a água bate na bunda.

by Orcus on Nov 23, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

I want to see Lil Nog face Couture or Forrest as it’d be a big fight and a very winnable one for him, a dominant win over either of them is both likely and guaranteed to make him a name fighter.

I was so proud of his performance, Cain is a tough opponent and he smashed him in minutes. He deserves a top contender in his next fight, Lil Nog looked like a future LHW champion in that fight.

by David W-S on Nov 23, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

i see now, srry..

jay im srry u lost to such an asshole, oh well ur pic and stuff shud go back to normal with time..

by guyverbob on Nov 23, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Randy would have harder times with Lil’ Nog’s hands than he did with Big Nog’s, Lil’ Nog is just that much better on the feet than his older (by seconds and many mileages) brother.

cagar é uma filosofia profunda...
a merda bate na água e a água bate na bunda.

by Orcus on Nov 23, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

I’d love to see that fight. But I don’t think Randy would really want any piece of Lil Nog and risk getting smoked by him. Plus, I think a Couture/Coleman match has been mentioned to be in the works?

by Hardcase on Nov 23, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

Both fights are great!

I agree Randy and Forrest are good contenders. I think if Lil Nog goes past another top fighter he will get the title shot within two fights.

I expected Cane agressive, looking to land hard kicks to open the path to the victory but Minotouro came with the exact game plan and stunning boxing. Well done.

"No one wants to be defeated."

by Eduardo Cruz on Nov 23, 2009 8:54 AM EST reply actions

I think the best for Lil Nog would be to get another warm up fight with a tough young up and comer, before getting a top 10 guys. Bader, Stann, Cantwell, Gustafsson could be good fights.

by Alpha Male on Nov 23, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Lil Nog will rise to the top 3 in this division fast. I think he puts Randy or Forrest on their ass

@fjbar75 on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner

by _Felix_ on Nov 23, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions

Franklin vs Lil Nog

would be a great fight and a meaningful win for either of them.

by (shonuff) on Nov 23, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

nice!

I’d like to see that fight

cagar é uma filosofia profunda...
a merda bate na água e a água bate na bunda.

by Orcus on Nov 23, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

Do you just hate Franklin?

We know what happens when you put Rich in the cage with a left handed Brazilian, let the man at least get another win before sending him to get KTFOed again

by Shaun32887 on Nov 29, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

Same here, Lil Nog will smash most UFC LHWs, the only ones who are too good for him in my opinion are Machida and Shogun, as well as Andy when he fights at that weight class but that fight will never happen anyway, I’d love to see Lil Nog rematch Shogun or face Machida. He is a great addition to the LHW division and has the potential to go far.

by David W-S on Nov 23, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

dunno why he would be surprised

he has a great record in the past..he is a great boxer..his camp is very strong..i expected him to be good..so i dunno why dana was surprised..

the difference between a brown noser and a sh*t head..is depth perception!

by sarah- on Nov 23, 2009 12:13 PM EST reply actions

Think it’s more to do with how highly cane was thought off rather than a knock on lil nog. Who do you guys think cane will get next? Personally I’d like to see him and vera go at it next. Don’t really like either guy but could make for an exciting fight

by eagzy on Nov 23, 2009 12:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

they are ranked about the same, makes sense to match them up, also good for the fans considering they both like to strike, and one or both could end up using their ground game if they think they have an advantage there and are getting the lesser end of the strikes

by quidnunc on Nov 23, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

That fight would make sense, either match them up with each other or have Jardine face Cane and Franklin face Vera.

by David W-S on Nov 23, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, I think a Cane/Vera fight next would be a logical move. Jardine’s another possibility for Cane too, and maybe the loser of Evans/T.Silva?

by Hardcase on Nov 23, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

agreed Sarah

This was the only fight on the card that I was sure who would win. Nog seemed like an easy pick for me. I don’t know why so many fans on here think beating a string of undercard fighters compares to the kind of fights Lil Nog had in PRIDE. I said from the beginning that this would be an exciting fight to showcase Lil Nog’s skills. Cane was out of his league. I’ll bet on a guy with a 60+% success rate against legends over a guy who’s unbeaten against nobodies anytime! Nog was the obvious choice here. Dana should have known that.

by (shonuff) on Nov 23, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

I was expecting Lil Nog to win

Cane is no joke but he didn’t look great against Cantwell while Lil Nog has faced better competition and has been in great form since the Soko defeat. I was expecting a Nog win but not a Nog beatdown, Cane ran up to him then ran off as soon as he got hit, Nog was far too good for him and completely dominated the fight.

I’d like to see Nog get a rematch so he can smash that overrated prick but first I want to see him go far in the UFC LHW division.

by David W-S on Nov 23, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

It shouldn’t be surprising to anybody that Nog beat the piss out of Cane. It was a guy with excellent hands against a guy who has never even heard of head movement but still thinks he’s a great striker.

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

by FRANKIE on Nov 24, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

though i still think ben should have gotten KO of the night..

clearly his opponent is done here..but marcus was truly out..legs twitching kinda thing..

the difference between a brown noser and a sh*t head..is depth perception!

by sarah- on Nov 23, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions

I was impressed I kno cane is a good fighter and I expected a war, but 20-30 secs into fight I thought it would end early.
Cane should fight tito next
And lil nog vs winner of shad/thiago

by Phenomenal Angel on Nov 23, 2009 12:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Only a couple fights make sense

Forrest makes sense, both coming off wins and Forrest is a big name, which will help more people become acquainted with Lol’ Nog. Randy makes sense for the same reasons, but is supposedly already fighting Coleman (personally, I’d rather see Tito/Coleman).
I know this is an outside possibility, and I may catch some heat for it, but Jon Jones is undefeated to this point in the UFC. IF (note emphasis) he wins decisively against Hammil, he has to be considered top 10 and 2 fights away from a title shot. He would need a step up against a borderline top 5 guy, and Lil Nog fits the bill. Possibility, but only if Jones wins in decisively next month.

by domino effect on Nov 23, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions

Bring back Hendo

Who wouldn’t love to see Hendo vs Lil Nog???

by (shonuff) on Nov 23, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

i'd have a hard time knowing who to root for..

nice rematch i wud like to see..

by guyverbob on Nov 23, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Lil Nog vs Brandon Vera

Thats a fight Id watch.

by ElStIkO on Nov 23, 2009 12:51 PM EST reply actions

I like that

by Robert(1) on Nov 23, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

That's a fight Brandon would watch too

from the bottom of the floor looking up in awe at Nog

by (shonuff) on Nov 23, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

can’t look up if you are KO’d :P

cagar é uma filosofia profunda...
a merda bate na água e a água bate na bunda.

by Orcus on Nov 23, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Winner of T. Silva/Evans

If Rampage isn’t back soon, give Lil’ Nog the winner of the Silva/Evans fight. Jon Jones would make for a sweet fight too (assuming he beats Hamil next month).

by Josh H. on Nov 23, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions

That would be the best fight for him to move up in the rankings. I think Cane and Vera should fight each other next. That would be a good stand up war.

by mmafan2 on Nov 23, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Cain vs Vera

now you’re talkin’

by (shonuff) on Nov 23, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

Nog would finish Vera in the first

And im not saying that just caus Nogs KO of Cane but of Veras overall shittyness.

by Lester The Pimp on Nov 23, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

LHW divison

There are so many good fighters in this division but the fights that would be the best probably won’t happen. Since Machida, Anderson, and Lil Nog are friends and won’t fight each other. I wish mousasi was in the ufc.

by mmafan2 on Nov 23, 2009 4:07 PM EST reply actions

here it is...

lil nog vs forrest; winner gets the winner of thiago/rashad for a title shot
winner of bones/hamill vs jardine
cane vs sosynski?
vera vs tito
winner of couture/coleman vs franklin (couture vs franklin could be a main event if champions are still sick or injured)

formerly JB, trying to figure out this whole new SB deal. oh, and another thing; i'm not impressed by your performance.

by . JB . on Nov 23, 2009 4:46 PM EST reply actions

Nobody can be considered a legitimate UFC light heavy weight until they have knocked out Jardine. And preferably stand over him and yell at him after he’s knocked out.

by peazy on Nov 23, 2009 5:51 PM EST reply actions

Little nog is the man

Little nog picked cane apart he should face either forrest or the winner of Rashad vs silva either way it should be one hell of a fight or how about little nog vs Franklin??? Just throwing it out there

by cesar7711 on Nov 24, 2009 12:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions

My solution would be to have lil nog coach TUF 11 opposite of Forrest Griffin, this way you could introduce him to the casual fan and if Shogun wins the title, the winner of this fight could fight him in a rematch. The timing would be perfect and it could be a good money fight. If Machida wins then give him another contender while the winner of this fights someone else for a right to fight for the title.

Go get that bread, Kimbo Slice. - Mike Fagan

by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Nov 24, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions