Report: Antonio “Minotauro” Rodrigo Nogueira Says He’s “100 %”, Ready to Return
By FCF Staff
While 2012 continues to be the year of the injury for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the promotion could see the return of legend Antonio “Minotauro” Rodrigo Nogueira soon. The former interim heavyweight champ has yet to see action this year, after he had his arm broken by Frank Mir at UFC 140 last December.
In a recent interview with Sherdog.com, however, Nogueira reported that he’s feeling “100%” and that “I hope to fight soon.”
The 36 year-old Brazilian had been scheduled to fight Cheick Kongo at UFC 149 in July, but suffered a setback in his recovery. Nogueira conceded in the interview that he attempted to return from the gruesome injury too soon.
Prior to the loss to Mir, Nogueira (33-7) knocked out Brendan Schaub in the first round at UFC 134 in April, 2011. The win followed Nogueira’s KO loss to former champion Cain Velasquez, which took place in February, 2010.
After the UFC was forced to deal with extensive injuries throughout its summer schedule, more recently it’s had to cope with injuries to scheduled headliners Jose Aldo, “Rampage” Jackson and Dan Henderson.