Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
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Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira (born in June 1976) is a heavyweight fighter in mixed martial arts, currently competing in the Japanese organization, the Pride Fighting Championships but has also fought in a number of other organizations.
Hailing from the town of Vitoria da Conquista in Brazil, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira started training in Judo at the age of five. When he was ten he was hit by a truck and fell into a coma for four days. As a result of the accident he has a large scar on his lower back. At the age of fourteen he was invited by a friend to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Ricardo de la Riva. He had earlier started training some boxing. In 1999 he was awarded with the black belt in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. A few years after his MMA debut he started to train at the Brazilian Top Team.
Nogueira's notable victories in Pride include wins over Mark Coleman, Gary Goodridge, Heath Herring, former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez, Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic, and Bob Sapp. His only losses in Pride came at the hands of the current champion, Judo and Sambo practitioner Fedor Emelianenko via judge's decision. A long awaited rematch (against Emelianenko) was held in the final of Pride's Grand Prix 2004 tournament. Unfortunately the match ended early and was ruled a no contest after an accidental headbutt left Emelianenko badly cut. They rematched in Pride once more and Emelianenko again defeated Nogueira via judge's decision.
Nogueira is widely considered to have the best submission skills of any heavyweight in mixed martial arts.
Confusingly, Nogueira has an identical twin brother who also fights in Pride. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira fights in the Light Heavyweight division unlike his brother. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two, besides the difference in weight, is that Antonio Rogerio does not have a scar on his back.
Career achievements
- Kings of Kings Tournament 2000-2001 edition Champion
- First PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion
- Former Interim PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion
- PRIDE FC 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix finalist
External links
- Official website (http://www.minotauro.net/)
- His fight record (http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=1440)