Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira Profile

DOB--6/2/76
HEIGHT--6'3
WEIGHT--231
STYLE-- Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai and Boxing
TEAM-- Brazilian Top Team, Black House, Nogueira and Silva Mixed Martial Arts Academy

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is the shining example to everyone who thinks they've had a tough life. As a child growing up in Brazil Nogueria and his brother began training judo at the age of 5. At the age of 10 Big Nog was run over by a truck that left him with a perforated liver and a broken leg. Antonio was left in a coma for 4 days and a hospital for almost a year following this horrific accident. As a result of the accident Nogueira has a large scar along with a noticeable indentation on his lower back.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira had begun training in judo, but it wasn't until 1995 when he learned to love for Jiu-Jitsu. Amazed at how someone allot smaller than his opponent could make the larger guy submit, Big Nog began training at Dellariva Team. In 1996 he was the Brazilian Champion (blue belt) and in 1998 (brown belt). Following his Jiu-Jitsu to the United States in 1999, Nogueira was introduced to Jamie Levine, promoter of WEF. He won the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu and received his black belt. In that same year, Big Nog went to the judo championships there and got the black belt as well.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira made his mma debut in 1999, defeating a fighter by the name of David Dodd via kimura. Big Nog stayed in the USA to work on his wrestling and boxing, as well as, winning a few more fights for WEF. Japan was his next stop after the WEF, where he entered a tournament of 48 mma fighters. Nogueira won his first 3 fights in the RINGS tournament before losing his fourth to eventual tournament champion Dan Henderson. Big Nog entered the next RINGS tournament following a victory at WEF over Jeremy Horn, and won the 40 man tournament.

Following WEF and RINGS Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira went on to the elite PRIDE organization. Coming up with a record of 17-3-1 with his only losses to Fedor Emelianenko (twice) and Josh Barnett whom he fought again and defeated. Other notable wins include Mark Coleman, Heath Herring (twice), Cro Cop, Sergei Kharitonov and Fabricio Werdum among others propelled him to be a top 3 heavyweight mma fighter in the world.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira ventured back to the USA after the UFC purchased PRIDE. There is a big difference between PRIDE and the UFC. In pride you fought in a ring where soccer kicks and knees were legal to downed opponents but elbows were not legal. In the UFC you fight in a cage where elbows are legal but kicks and knees to the head of a downed opponent are not legal. He began his UFC career by defeating Heath Herring again, then winning a fight against the ex-UFC champion Tim Sylvia. Big Nog remains the only fighter to hold the PRIDE and UFC heavyweight championship belts. He's a coach on Season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter along with Frank Mir. Those 2 will fight in December of 2008 for the UFC heavyweight championship.

Antônio Nogueira Profile: Gabe November 11, 2008