Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will return to the Octagon this Saturday night (July 26, 2014) at UFC on FOX 12 from inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California, where he's tasked with turning away 205-pound juggernaut Anthony Johnson.
The Brazilian is a huge underdog at +450.
That may come as a surprise to some longtime fans, considering Nogueira holds wins over former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (twice), ex-Strikeforce light heavyweight titleholder Dan Henderson, and former UFC 205-pound kingpin Rashad Evans.
Johnson's biggest win to date is against the one-dimensional Phil Davis.
But the fact that Nogueira isn't getting any love has a lot to do with the media's recent fascination with "Rumble," a gigantic welterweight who ended his run of near-death experiences and settled in as a light heavyweight. In addition, "Lil' Nog" has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.
13 years in mixed martial arts (MMA) and 26 professional fights averages roughly two bouts per year, but he's competed just once since 2011.
Out of sight, out of mind.
It also doesn't help that he barely squeaked past Jason Brilz in his UFC sophomore effort, before coughing up decision losses to Ryan Bader (UFC 119) and Phil Davis (UFC Fight Night 24). But perhaps the thing most detrimental to his career, is that which is closest to him.
His brother Rodrigo.
The heavyweight "Nog" is lauded as one of the finest 265-pounders to ever lace up the gloves, carving out a sensational career in PRIDE FC that included an epic rivalry with retired "Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko. He also has a pair of championship titles to hang over his fireplace.
As for Rogerio?
A career full of almosts and shoulda beens, but never the big one. But this isn't a eulogy by any means, as the 38-year-old slugger can still complete his quest for the light heavyweight summit. He just has to survive 15 minutes locked inside the cage with a maniac and somehow find a way to win.
That would be something worth remembering.