Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira says he is always better the Second Time Around
Posted on July 16, 2010, 09:34 PM by Joey SantosusUFC heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira (32-6-1) recently spoke out about his upcoming rematch with Frank Mir (13-5-0) at UFC 119. The two former champions first met back at UFC 92, and though Mir was victorious that night, Nogueira explained that his performance is always better the second time he meets an opponent.
“I feel it’s a good fight for me. The last time I was unable to put on a good performance and this time I’ll be able to show up better. It’s a match I’ve been wanting the whole time, and it materialized. I’ve lost a few fights in my career, but I was always given a rematch, and I always put in a better showing the second time around. I’ll try and do the same this time. I’ll be ready for anything.”
Following their first bout, questions were raised regarding Nogueira's health heading into the match, as the Brazilian was hospitalized just days before they met due to a staph infection. Mir, who took exception to the post-fight questions, felt his victory over the legend was being discredited. Whatever the case, a healthy "Minotauro" will get his chance to settle the score.
“It’s hard to foresee what will happen in a fight like this one, if just because Frank’s good at fighting both standing and on the ground. I’ll have to get a sense of what to do in the fight. If it ends up on the ground, I’ll like it; if it plays out standing, I’ll like it too. I’ll be ready for anything.”
Also scheduled to fight at UFC 119 is younger brother, Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira (19-3-0), who will face undefeated light heavyweight Ryan Bader (11-0-0). "Minotoro" is coming off a close split decision win over Jason Brilz at UFC 114. Speaking on his younger brother's match, Rodrigo was confident.
“I trained him for three months at the UFC house (The Ultimate Fighter) and he won it. I like the kid, he has a heavy hand, but I feel Rogério is more experienced and has better grappling and striking. As far as wrestling goes, he’s better, but Rogério is going through a really good phase and he wants a shot at the title.”
Nogueira will be looking to get back on track in September following his last outing at UFC 110, where he faced current number one contender Cain Velasquez. Velasquez was able to best the veteran by TKO just two minutes and twenty seconds into round one.
Props: Graciemag
Comments
I just cant see how Rodrigo can win this, mir has better technical striking... and mir may not be as good or better than big nog on the ground but his skills should be good enough to stop him getting submitted.. and he has better wrestling... the only chance Nog has is if he turns it into a war and hopes his chin holds up..
about the wrestling advantage going to Mir. Big Nog out wrestled Randy Couture in their fight. Randy was able to reverse every dominant position Lesner got on him in their fight until he got rocked at the end. Mir had no idea what to do from under Lesner. The wrestling advantage definitely goes to Big Nog. Mir is probably a better striker but Nog isn't far behind. I think Nog has better grappling. He can win.
too bad we dont really ever see Nog grapple in the UFC unless someone starts the grappling themselves....and Frank Mir wont grapple so it looks like another stand up battle.
agree to disagree.. :) we shall have to wait to see which one of us is right.. although big nog looked great against randy he looked the same when he fought as he did when he fought frank... i think franks going to be a bit too quick for him... even though im a brock fan ( i know im gna get killed for that).... i think nog has a better chance of beating brock than he does frank.... sounds wierd but just how the styles match up... frank stopped carwins takedown attempt... i know it was just one.... n i think he can certainly stop nogs takedown attempts
***** HE LOOKED THE SAME WHEN HE FOUGHT CAIN AS HE DID FRANK... my mistake
It's funny that you say that about Nog's chances against Lesner. I have been thinking that ever since he fought Randy. Randy gave him way less trouble than he gave Lesner. Lesner, Mir, Nog might be one of those weird triangles you get in MMA where each guy can destroy the next guy but gets destroyed by the other if Nog and Lesner ever fight.
Nah if Hendo can control Nog on the ground back when Nog was in his prime then i think Lesnar would control him no problem.....well in the Hendo vs Big Nog 2 fight Hendo eventually got caught on like the 10th sub attempt but Lesnar is waaaaay bigger and Nog is waaaayy older......Lesnar via tko in 2nd round
I like Nog, however I feel Mir has a better BJJ game when it comes to using it in the octagon. I feel this will be another win for Mir whether they strike or go to the ground.
I bet that's what he tells the ladies.
I hate that this matchup is even happening.
Team Blackhouse and especially Big Nog always come up with some reason why they lost. Drives me ****ing wild, the ol' "I don't want to make excuses for the loss *BUT*..." Gimme a ****ing break. The words following the 'but' are excuses, assholes. There's always an injury or a staph infection or someone's sister died or blah blah. Shut the **** up and lose with grace and humility.
How the hell does one earn a rematch coming off a KO loss? I understand Mir was also KO'd his last fight but the point isn't that, it's that he beat Nog fair and square and in devastating fashion and the whiner Antonio used his pull to get another fight. The worst part is that if he beats Mir, dumbshits out there including the business-savvy Dana White will magically think he's back in the title picture in spite of his then being 2-2 in his last four.
Chael Sonnen called it right. Big Nog was the world's toughest punching bag. A man with equal skills and a lesser chin would never have become the legend he is today. And if he's lost his chin then there is no hope and he should just go home.
Man, can't wait for all the 'Weak's from you Nog-suckers.
uhh how does he get a rematch coming out of a KO loss?
Because Mir is coming off of a KO loss too?!?!?
I know its hard, but use your brain!
Mir by KO/TKO round 1
I said it the first fight and I'll say it again, Mir is too bad of a match up for Nogueira, he doesn't really have the fail safe of taking it to the ground if things get bad on the feet because Mir has an excellent ground game. I know people see one beatdown on the ground from Brock and memory of what Mir is capable of goes all to shit, but I think in that fight Mir got caught in some really bad positions that Nogueira would have a hard time trying to trap Mir in.