UFC 190 results: Shogun Rua wins unpopular unanimous decision over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hoped that Maurico Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira could recapture the magic of their epic battle at Pride FC: "Critical Countdown" tonight (Sat., Aug. 1, 2015) in the co-main event of UFC 190, which took place inside HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It was a good rematch, but it didn't hold a candle to their first fight about one decade ago. That would be impossible.

Rua kicked off the action, literally, but missed with a high kick. His second attempt landed solid across Nogueira's mid-section. Both fighters next traded short left hands, ending in a flurry, before they tied up along the fence. Back in the center of the Octagon, Nogueira landed a glancing looping right hand that could have been a show-stopper if it was on target.

Rua landed a nice right hand, then a high kick that was partially blocked, and ended with a thudding kick to the body. Nogueira landed a weird jab-like thing that hit Rua on the top of the head and he was wobbled. Nogueira swarmed, drilling him huge shots, as Rua needed the fence to keep him upright.

Rua was somehow able to survive and Nogueira momentarily halted his blitz and went for a choke before resuming his onslaught. Ria appeared to recover toward the end, firing back wild punches that did connect, giving him just enough cover to get to survive until the bell.

Rua started the second stanza with a takedown right away, laying in Nogueira's guard and landing sneaky punches. The crowd quickly became restless, wanting them to resume their stand up war of attrition. Nogueira was able to escape midway through the round and the two went back to work on their feet.

It wasn't long before the pair got stuck along the cage and the referee had to restart them in the center of the Octagon. Rua continued to find a home for his thundering body kicks, but Nogueira walked right through them.

Heading into the third and final round it appeared that it was an even match, meaning whoever could do the most in the final frame would go home a winner. Rua came out kicking, again, and Nogueira answered with a hard straight left hand. Rua shot in for another takedown, but Nogueira was able to defend it ... and nail him with a knee to the face on his way in.

With three minutes remaining, the pair started to open up again -- Rua just could not see that straight left coming. He landed more kicks, and then a looping right hand, but Nogueira kept coming. With about a minute to go, Nogueira clipped Rua, who dove in for a takedown, which turned out to be a huge mistake. Nogueira latched onto his neck and sunk in a deep guillotine choke.

Rua was able to escape, which was a good thing, because he would go on to win a unanimous decision. The late error clearly did not impact the decisions of the judges, who were booed by the Brazilian crowd who thought Nogueira should have gotten the nod.

For complete, wall-to-wall UFC 190: "Rousey vs. Correia" coverage, including play-by-play updates, click here and here.