Brendan Schaub thinks that beating Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira this Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 at UFC 134 from the HSBC Arena in Brazil would make him the heavyweight division's number one contender.
And he's not alone.
UFC President Dana White told media members at the UFC 134 pre-fight press conference the winner of Schaub vs. Nogueira is "in the mix" for the heavyweight title hunt.
And if the oddsmakers have it right, "The Hybrid" is headed for bigger and better things, as he's been inserted as the -225 favorite.
Schaub is coming off an absolute pasting of former Pride legend Mirko Filipovic back in March. Can he make it two for two on his quest to become the "Legend Killer" of MMA?
Antonio Nogueira will make his way to the Octagon with a clear disadvantage straight from the word go: he hasn't competed since a Feb. 2010 knockout loss to current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez.
During his extended layoff, the Brazilian had multiple surgeries to correct issues with both his hips and his knees.
That's why he's been saddled with a +185 betting line, no matter how easy it is to get sucked into the legend of "Minotauro."
There were -- and still are -- questions regarding how healthy he truly is and if he'll ever get back to competing at the level he once did. We're talking about a former champion here, one who's beaten some of the best fighters on the planet.
He's not being tasked with an easy fight in his return to the sport but he wouldn't have it any other way, right Maniacs?
Brendan Schaub (-225) vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (+185) at UFC 134. Who ya' got and why?
To see the "Silva vs. Okami" odds and betting lines plus all the action for the upcoming UFC and Strikeforce events click here.
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