Minotouro aims to settle score against Shogun

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

After sensational debut of MouniLazzez ‘The Sniper’ at UFC Fight Night 172, spotlight will again be on another Dubai-based fighter Antonio Rogerio ‘Minotouro’ Nogueira at

Sunday’s UFC 174 — the last of the UFC’s four-event stay on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.

The Brazilian legend, who works as trainer at the famed Team Nogueira Dubai Martial Arts and Fitness Academy, will face off longtime rival Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua Shogun Rua to close out their famous trilogy.

Minotouro, who has already announced that this will be his final bout before retirement, will be looking to end career on winning note.

Entering the octagon during Fight Island’s UFC Fight Night 174 for the last time, the Brazilian aims to take revenge against Shogun as he lost twice to him in their previous bouts.

“Winning against Shogun after losing against him twice will be the perfect way to end career,” said Minotouro.

A twin brother of renowned MMA veteran and UFC Hall of Famer Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Minotouro (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) has his own share of success.

He has tasted success against some top names including Kazushi Sakuraba Alistair Overeem, Dan Henderson, Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans.

Determined to close the last chapter of his glorious career on cheerful note, Minotouro said: “For the final fight of my career I have been training hard and trying different things.”

Minotouro and Shogun faced off each other 15 years ago in Osaka, Japan, and five years since their 2015 rematch at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro.

“It’s a historic moment for the sport, it’s Minotouro retirement fight, a man that did so much for the sport. If Mma is where is definitely he is part of it, him and his brother will be remembered forever from his fights and battles, said Rafael Haubert, managing director of the Team Nogueira Dubai Martial Arts and Fitness Academy.

Haubert, a two-time World Champion and European Champion, and a long-time friend of the Nogueira twins, is confidence of Minotouro’s victory.

“On Sunday Minotouro will be fighting the last fight of his career and he will come out victorious, 19th year’s of a brilliant career and historical fights, him and his brother definitely are part of the history of the MMA.

“Many champions came from the Nogueira brothers’ team such as Anderson Silva, Junior Cigano.

“As I said to us from Team Nogueira Dubai we feel blessed to be leaving this moment of the sport at home and at the same time with the feeling that we are on the right path, contributing with the development of the sport and inspiring the new generation,” Haubert added.

“It’s a beautiful and historical moment for the sport in the country, in a month we have for four UFC events in the UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, thanks to the vision and support from leadership of the country to the sport.”