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[Cat--Smasher]

'Big Nog' says he won't fight for the belt unless Junior Dos Santos loses UFC title

A longstanding relationship with UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos makes Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira uncomfortable with a title shot.

Nogueira, who will coach "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2" opposite Fabricio Werdum, said there's "no chance" he'll take a title shot unless Dos Santos is no longer champ.

"If there's any chance he doesn't have the title any more, for sure, I would love to fight for the belt," Nogueira said Thursday.

Nogueira has brushed aside repeated questions of retirement as one of the most seasoned veterans in the sport today. A former PRIDE champion and interim UFC champ, the 36-year-old fighter's career might get a storybook ending with another belt.

For now, a hurdle stands in his way: Nogueira (34-7-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC) will fight Werdum (16-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) in a traditional season-ending fight between "TUF" coaches. The winner will undoubtedly be in line to fight for the belt.

"This fight is going to be very important for me, because if I win or lose, it's one step forward or one step back," he said. "So I want to be fighting the best guys in the division. I want to be [within] the top guys in the division."

The reality show begins filming in early 2013 and is expected to debut in March in Brazil on Globo TV. (FUEL TV could air the season later, as it did with the first season of the show this past summer.)

Nogueira and Werdum first met in 2006 in the now-defunct PRIDE with Nogueira earning a decision victory. He most recently defeated Dave Herman at UFC 153, while Werdum bested Mike Russow at UFC 147.

Nogueira's relationship with Dos Santos stretches back to the champ's days as a jiu-jitsu blue belt and his early MMA training. The two still train together under the Team Nogueira banner.

"He's my friend and my training partner," Nogueira said.

'Big Nog' says he won't fight for the belt unless Junior Dos Santos loses UFC title | MMAjunkie.com

[AnchorPunch]

Anyone else feel like Nog hasn't earned a fight with Werdum?

Sure, he's got a great legacy, but it's just that. He's on a one fight win streak against a player outside of the top 10, a major injury, and something like a 500 record in his last 6 with wins only over fighters outside the top 10 during that time.

[Fe1]

Smart

[cnlclink]

I think Werdum is going to walk right through him. Kind of sad because Nog is pretty great fighter but he just looked so slow against Herman. I'd like to see Nog fight Nelson or something more along those lines. I know Nelson is tied up.

[rough-n-tumble]

Originally Posted by AnchorPunch

He's on a one fight win streak

At least you were being nice, because one isn't a streak.

I was a Nog fan back in the day and wish him well now, though I neither feel he deserves this accolade nor will he fare well against Werdum.

[disposableassassin]

Originally Posted by rough-n-tumble

At least you were being nice, because one isn't a streak.

I was a Nog fan back in the day and wish him well now, though I neither feel he deserves this accolade nor will he fare well against Werdum.

[lwbrewer]

Fights seem to me as made to help TUF Nog has been great, Werdum needs more publicity to the casual fans, and a win over Nog will add much towards that. Nog probely can get a sub on many fighters well past his prime, but the rest of his game won't work. So I don't see Nog earning a shot, but used now to promote who ever can beat him.

[mmawolverine]

so basically this is the fight nog has to win to get the confidence of his fans back or is that going to have to be a third mir fight? I'll always root for guy and i think he's going to win this one in decisive fashion, come on people he's no crocop.

[lwbrewer]

Originally Posted by mmawolverine

so basically this is the fight nog has to win to get the confidence of his fans back or is that going to have to be a third mir fight? I'll always root for guy and i think he's going to win this one in decisive fashion, come on people he's no crocop.

Just look at the abuse Nogs body has endured. Just the fact he can even compete at the level he has is amazing by it's self. There's no shame in Nog ever saying his body can't take it any more.

[The Donosaur]

I feel like there are other reasons that he won't be fighting for the title. A big one would be that he doesn't deserve a title shot...Actually if you are friends with someone or you run your mouth about them, then everybody apparently wants to see you fight them, even if you haven't earned it.