Props: ESPN.com

Quoteworthy:

"He's good. He's a great guy, so he's always in good spirits. It's pretty hard to get that guy bummed out. The knee: He is rehabbing it right now in Brazil. He's not training, just rehabbing the knee. I'd like to see him come back when he feels 100 percent. I am assuming it will be sometime in late spring, early summer. I think [Nogueira-Mir II] is a great fight. Does he want to even the score? Absolutely! Is it a motivating factor? Definitely! Big Nog is a warrior. He's never chosen an opponent. Whoever you put in front of him, he will fight."

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's manager Ed Soares gives us an indication as to when the embattled heavyweight will return to the famed Octagon. He also has a suggestion, like usual, for a return opponent -- Frank Mir. The two were set for a rematch of their UFC 92 fight at UFC 119 before "Big Nog" was forced into exile with knee issues. Now that he's gone under the knife and rehab is on schedule, it's time to start thinking about where he stands in the UFC heavyweight division. Is the former PRIDE Champion still a top contender? Or are his best days behind him? Who do you want to see him matched up with when he comes back? Let's hear it, Maniacs.