Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was knocked clean out in his fight against Roy Nelson last Friday (April 11, 2014) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 39 on Fight Pass, which took place inside Du Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi (more on that here).
The loss marked his second straight and the fifth time he's been finished since joining the ranks of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), after a legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) career that includes titles in both PRIDE and UFC, making him one of the finest big men to ever compete.
Which is why UFC President Dana White told reporters at Wednesday's media scrum (via FOX Sports) that there is no reason for "Minotauro" to hang around.
"Out of respect for Nogueira, I didn't want to say anything until he said something publicly. Then he came out and said he wants to fight Frank Mir. I don't want to see Nogueira fight ever again. He should retire. He is a war horse. That guy has been in -- just the battles in PRIDE he's been in -- let alone the fights that he's fought in the UFC. He's one of the most respected fighters in the world by other fighters, let alone by fans. And I like him very much, too, so I wanted to give him the opportunity to say something first. And now I'm going to say, 'Big Nog, I love you, but I'd love you to never fight again.'"
A lot of fans would love that.
Immediately following his loss to "Big Country," Nogueira's manager proposed a third and final fight against fellow aging veteran Frank Mir (details). The Brazilian desperately wants to get one back after getting finished twice by the Las Vegas-based grappler.
Then he'll call it quits.
But White may find himself in a sticky situation -- much like he did with Chuck Liddell -- in trying to convince Nogueira it's time to hang up the gloves, even if "Minotauro" feels like he still has some fight left in him.
Any fans out there want to give Big Nog one more chance?