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Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Hoping to Return in Spring 2011 -- MMA Fighting

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Hoping to Return in Spring 2011
9/24/2010 7:27 PM ET By Mike Chiappetta

Mike Chiappetta
MMA Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- Still in the midst of recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery on his left knee, and with a hip surgery still to come, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is a full 5-6 months away from returning, making the spring of 2011 the rough target date for his next octagon date.

The MMA legend, who was supposed to face Frank Mir in the UFC 119 main event, still traveled to the show to work the corner of his brother Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, who is competing in the co-main event against Ryan Bader. Walking slowly and with a noticeable limp, Nogueira said the injury dated back to two years ago and was discovered to be a complete tear during a medical examination.

"I went to the doctor, I had like six doctors in front of me," he said. "My knee was out of place. I decided if I fight, I have to be 100 percent. I had the same injury last time I fought Mir. It's kind of an excuse if I lose the fight, so I want to be 100 percent so I can do my best in the cage."

Nogueira (32-6-1, 1 no contest) has lost two of his last three in the newly supercharged UFC heavyweight division, and he readily admits that the competition among the best heavyweights has ramped up a few notches in the last year or two.

"The heavyweight division reminds me of the old times in PRIDE," Nogueira said. "A lot of good fighters at the same time. And I see the UFC even better right now. Truly like six names could be the champ, and they're going to fight for it. I'm very excited to be in that weight division with all the best heavyweights at the same time."

While the current kingpin is Brock Lesnar, Nogueira smells change in the air. Asked his opinion on Lesnar's upcoming title defense against Cain Velasquez, he picked the unbeaten Velasquez to end Lesnar's reign.

"I think Brock's got the advantage with his size, but Cain Velasquez is a more complete fighter," he said. "He can kick, he can punch and can use his wrestling. I think he's a better wrestler than Brock Lesnar. I think his ground game will be the difference in this fight. I think, my prediction is that Cain Velasquez is going to win the title."

Although he'll have to rebound from a rough stretch that includes the first TKO & KO losses of his career, the all-time legend still hopes to have more glory days ahead.

Asked if he had one more run at the title in him, a hint of a smile broke out on his face. Being maybe half a year away from getting back to the octagon, the future can't come fast enough.

"I will try," he said. "I will try."

[ckauffman28]

just give him mir/crocop winner...

[Dr. MMA]

Originally Posted by ckauffman28

just give him mir/crocop winner...

I actually could see the winner of Mir/Crocop vs Big Nog getting the title shot after dos santos

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

For me, the timeline appears to present a possible Big Nog/Napao showdown, which has been the rumoured "bounceback fight" for Nog since his loss to Mir and if GG gets past Schaub, I think that'd be a solid comain event.

I also think Gabe or Kongo(if he gets past Browne) could offer a genuinely intriguing rematch with Crocop no matter the outcome of tonight's main event, because I don't like the potential Crocop/Carwin possibility and again, the time line of early next year/spring-ish fits in.

Personally, the winner of Crocop/Mir should get Roy Nelson or MAYBE if Brock loses, a Mir/Brock III just for a bigtime buyrate and Big Nog get either Napao or maybe Carwin???

[joeyP]

Originally Posted by Dr. MMA

I actually could see the winner of Mir/Crocop vs Big Nog getting the title shot after dos santos

You really think so?

[killakem1]

Originally Posted by Fedorlei Gomipierre

For me, the timeline appears to present a possible Big Nog/Napao showdown, which has been the rumoured "bounceback fight" for Nog since his loss to Mir and if GG gets past Schaub, I think that'd be a solid comain event.

I also think Gabe or Kongo(if he gets past Browne) could offer a genuinely intriguing rematch with Crocop no matter the outcome of tonight's main event, because I don't like the potential Crocop/Carwin possibility and again, the time line of early next year/spring-ish fits in.

Personally, the winner of Crocop/Mir should get Roy Nelson or MAYBE if Brock loses, a Mir/Brock III just for a bigtime buyrate and Big Nog get either Napao or maybe Carwin???

their going with GG and Schuab?? really? idk bout that one. id rather have GG and barry. speaking of which do you know who hes fighting next?

[Dr. MMA]

Originally Posted by joeyP

You really think so?

Who else is really there though? They are all ranked higher than Nelson, Kongo, Rothwell and Struve.

Only Carwin is higher than them, and he's in the steroid scandal mess with no fight scheduled for the near future, so that leaves Mir, CC and Big Nog. With CC out of the picture, I can see Mir vs Nog 2 getting it after Dos Santos.

[joeyP]

Originally Posted by Dr. MMA

Who else is really there though? They are all ranked higher than Nelson, Kongo, Rothwell and Struve.

Only Carwin is higher than them, and he's in the steroid scandal mess with no fight scheduled for the near future, so that leaves Mir, CC and Big Nog. With CC out of the picture, I can see Mir vs Nog 2 getting it after Dos Santos.

Totally agreed.


On an unrelated note...UFC Unleashed before the prelims had Sylvia vs Nog

I can't believe how shitty of a state the division was in at that time, because man, it looked like an amateur bout until the sub.

And Nog's JJ is unbelievable, I never noticed how he was thinking like 3 moves ahead the whole time leading up to the submission. Beautiful