Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (29-4-1) could face Brandon Vera (8-0) in his first bout inside the Octagon, according to Sam Caplan at FiveOuncesOfPain.com.
The moster addition of “Big Nog” to the UFC heavyweight class was just announced at UFC 69 on April 7.
Caplan warns that it’s a “total rumor,” but I feel compelled to pass it along because — if accurate — it’s such a juicy match up.
And, it seems well within the realm of possibility.
Here’s the entire snip:
“This is total rumor, but I’ve been hearing a lot of talk that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s first UFC fight could be against Brandon Vera. Take that for what it’s worth. I’m trying to get some sort of official confirmation.”
With Randy Couture, Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic, Gabriel Gonzaga, Andrei Arlovski and Fabricio Werdum all tied up in the near future, there are few “big name” fighters available to fight the former PRIDE FC heavyweight champion.
In fact, the only other competitive option besides Vera is former UFC heavyweight titleholder Tim Sylvia.
Of course, the UFC can feed Nogueira a can or journeyman to build up name recognition among fans.
But a showdown with someone like Vera — a young and exciting fighter — would no doubt be a solid addition to any pay-per-view (PPV) card.
Vera has been on the shelf since November 2006 because of a contract dispute and it is still unclear if the issue has been resolved. However, he does have one fight remaining on his current deal.
“Minotauro” also last fought in late 2006, outpointing Josh Barnett on the judges scorecards at Pride: Shockwave on New Year’s Eve.
Here’s to hoping that we see this fight one day real soon.
70 Comments »
I like Vera a lot, but this could be the UFC putting him in a can’t-win situation and then booting him out the door riding a loss. Nog will own him. Vera hasnt even fought anyone with the experience that Nog has BEAT. Sounds like a blood bath. Vera can’t knock him out– Nog has the best chin in the business. And he’d get spanked on the ground. But Id still pay to watch it!
I think this would be a great intro to the UFC for Nog. I’m sick of this trend of big names coming over and getting to fight has beens and no namers. Put in the mix right away, let them get their feet wet against some real opposition. Lets see what both these two are really made of, ya know?
I agree with you SoCal. This would be a good fight. I think Nog would have a fight on his hands and no more free fights. He got knocked out his last fight in PRIDE in a devastating fashion.
i so hope this is true. what better way to let Vera know that he f’ed up then by having Mr. Nog eat him alive. MuAhHAahAha. After that, Vera will be on a clean slate with me.
Crap did I just make the big mistake and get him confused with his brother.
[quote comment=”35284″]Crap did I just make the big mistake and get him confused with his brother.[/quote]
Yes
Sokoudjou knocked out his brother. Nevermind
Hey UFCmania, you might wanna pick up those stories here:
Yet another boxer going nuts:
http://www.boxingconfidential.com/articles.php?id=1256
and the first big politician giving mad props to MMA:
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/speeches/2007/04/14/1126_type84779_123452.shtml
I was gonna say Fred, i knew of no such knock out lol. Wrong guy. Anyways, like i was saying, if Vera can beat up big Nog than he is a legitamate contender, and if he gets stomped i think that will bring him down to earth a little moreand show him som eof his weaknesses. I think both are great fighters and i think Vera has a bright future ahead of him, but he needs some quality ooponents to test the waters so to speak.
yea vera wont have a chance al tho is standup is dease. he would lose
We can only hope that it’s true. Would be an excellent fight.
wish this punk CHEEKS wouldhurry up….. win or lose both of these guys should get more opportunities to prove themselves in other matchups!!!!
Vera could be the most underrated guy in the business. I know he made it clear that he thinks he’s the bomb, but honestly i think most fans doubt him. Can’t wait to see him tested by Big Nog.
it is true that the once struggling HW division has been all shook up now!!!
the only thing that the ufc is missing now is to bring some new middleweight guys.
[quote comment=”35267″]I like Vera a lot, but this could be the UFC putting him in a can’t-win situation and then booting him out the door riding a loss. [/quote]
I have to agree with the first part of this statement. If this is true than they truly are putting him in, at the very least, a most likely no-win-situation. However, I think that they are doing this to show Vera that he doesnt deserve the money that he wants and subsequently showing other mma promotions and fans as well.
[quote comment=”35270″]I think this would be a great intro to the UFC for Nog. I’m sick of this trend of big names coming over and getting to fight has beens and no namers. Put in the mix right away, let them get their feet wet against some real opposition. Lets see what both these two are really made of, ya know?[/quote]
Dude this is a great match-up. I hope this is true and we see it soon. I would like to see the supposed franchise boy Vera fight some real comp. Destroying this guy would put Big Nog on top of the UFC fan base quickly since Vera got so much attention before he put his foot and chump change in his mouth. It is important that they stop putting the new talent up against no namers. This is a marquee match up that will show case Big Nog, and eliminate Vera.
If true, then the UFC has finally acknowledged that the MMA community knows more about the fighters than they have given them crdit for, i.e. Dana’s comment that no one knows who Shogun is.
Big nog vs. Vera is worth paying for by itself.
do not underestimate vera i think he will crush nognog and leave him so black and blue hel look more like a nignog.No i dont know realy about this one it could be very interesting.CANT WAIT
After Vera I would like to see Big Nog get a shot at Sylvia, and than a title shot would just about be set for him. That would make him 2-0 in the UFC over some big names. CC will get first shot. AA/Werdum next in line. Big Nog should have these two doinks cleared out putting him third in line for a title shot. Perfect!
Knowing the UFC’s history of match making, I doubt this would happen. They would either kill the marketing of their new signed star, or their future star in Vera.
Although they might figure Vera would lose and then drop down to LHW because Vera can’t hang in the “new” HW division, and that would bolster the weak LHW division.
[quote comment=”35329″]
Although they might figure Vera would lose and then drop down to LHW because Vera can’t hang in the “new” HW division, and that would bolster the weak LHW division.[/quote]
I think this is exactly what’s going on. Vera will not hang in this division. His best shot is in LHW. And at that I still think he is out matched.
Nog will be true test for Vera.Vera dominated everyone so far in the octagon,I don’t think he with Nog but it’ll be well worth paying for.Nog would take Sylvia out within 3 minutes.
He’s got both Sylvia and Vera in the 1st round No Doubt!
I think vera makes it to 2nd and sylvia well u know
[quote post=”1829″]I agree with you SoCal. This would be a good fight. I think Nog would have a fight on his hands and no more free fights. He got knocked out his last fight in PRIDE in a devastating fashion.[/quote]
Fred, I just thought I’d point out that you’re referring to the wrong Nog. It was his twin brother who fights at 205 that got knocked out in his last fight.
[quote post=”1829″]Fred, I just thought I’d point out that you’re referring to the wrong Nog. It was his twin brother who fights at 205 that got knocked out in his last fight[/quote]
Oops, you’ve already corrected yourself. Apologies to you.
Wouldn’t Vera have quite a bargaining chip if he won……not that i think it will happen
“Of course, the UFC can feed Nogueira a can or journeyman to build up name recognition among fans.”
That is exactly what they will do. The UFC did the same for CroCop and Rampage, it is usually standard protocol to give new fighters of high calibre one really easy fight. For the most part the UFC just wants people to know their name so they buy the PPV’s. But I would love to be proven wrong and see him fight Vera, I think that would be an amazing match up.
[quote comment=”35373″]”Of course, the UFC can feed Nogueira a can or journeyman to build up name recognition among fans.”
[/quote]
Isn’t that what there doing with Vera. Although we all will agree here that Vera is a standout fighter. I feel Dana and the UFC are putting him in his place after the stunt he pulled with EXC. There placing Vera in that journeyman role. The only problem is whether the plan will backfire with a Vera win. I think the UFC is saying good bye to Vera or as I mentioned before forcing him down to the 205 division. There is no way after a big UFC welcome at 69 that they are setting Big Nog up for a loss. I think Dana truly knows he has Vera beat, therefore possibly giving us this fight. Vera never got announced on a live PPV. In the eyes of the UFC Vera is done or there pushing him down to become a 205 second tier fighter. Big Nog is the big name, and Vera is now the journeyman. Then again this is just a rumor…LOL
Hey..What time will UFC 70 Air on SPike??…Anyone??
3 hour block. So I’d think 8 eastern / 7 central.
For those who don’t know, Vera did sign an extension. So if they feed Nog him, yes Vera will lose, I think it’s because it will force him to LHW. The days of Vera saying he wants to be HW and LHW champ is 100% over. The landscape has changed over the last 8 months and an undersized Vera will get destroyed in the HW division.
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=4886
Look at his stats. His strongest win was against Vera, which isn’t saying a lot. There is a difference between who he fought and who Big Nog fought.
It’s the same difference between banging Rosie O’ Donnell and Angelina Jolie….. it’s in a whole different world.
about 10 but i live in canada
[quote comment=”35380″][quote comment=”35373″]”Of course, the UFC can feed Nogueira a can or journeyman to build up name recognition among fans.”
[/quote]
Isn’t that what there doing with Vera. Although we all will agree here that Vera is a standout fighter. I feel Dana and the UFC are putting him in his place after the stunt he pulled with EXC. There placing Vera in that journeyman role. The only problem is whether the plan will backfire with a Vera win. I think the UFC is saying good bye to Vera or as I mentioned before forcing him down to the 205 division. There is no way after a big UFC welcome at 69 that they are setting Big Nog up for a loss. I think Dana truly knows he has Vera beat, therefore possibly giving us this fight. Vera never got announced on a live PPV. In the eyes of the UFC Vera is done or there pushing him down to become a 205 second tier fighter. Big Nog is the big name, and Vera is now the journeyman. Then again this is just a rumor…LOL[/quote]
God I’m sick of people acting like Dana White is Vince Mcmahon and he’s up there deciding the outcomes of these fights. No way Dana would set up Nog to lose? Just by putting him in a match up means he could lose. Do you think Dana set up GSP to lose? No, it’s MMA and anything can happen, It’s even possible that Brandon vera will handle Nog just like he did Frank Mir or worse ( not likely I know) but really people it’s not a popularity contest, Its fighting!
[quote comment=”35396″]about 10 but i live in canada[/quote]
I do too….I hope it’s at 9 or 10PM………
PS Dana can never “truly know he has him beat”
When Vera beat Mir it wasn’t the same guy who broke sylvia’s arm.Mir was in a bad accident and gained a bunch of weight.But still Vera gave hime a beating.I don’t count out Vera by any means.He a young tough fighter,i haven’t really seen him him get hit on the chin yet but i still think it could go either way.
Justin Eilers landed one or two punches on Vera
And Eilers is what? Watch the fight of him vs Arlovski. Arlvoski won the fight, and it wasn’t a huge beating….. but I’m too lazy to look up his injuries. He got beaten to a pulp. Tore an ACL, broken this and broken that.
I agree with that this could be a wake up call for Vera, assuming he is giong to lose. It will be an awomse fight I think, just cant see Vera beating Nog, just the other way around, but would pay big to see how it happens!!
[quote comment=”35407″][quote comment=”35380″][quote comment=”35373[/quote]
God I’m sick of people acting like Dana White is Vince Mcmahon and he’s up there deciding the outcomes of these fights. No way Dana would set up Nog to lose? Just by putting him in a match up means he could lose. Do you think Dana set up GSP to lose? No, it’s MMA and anything can happen, It’s even possible that Brandon vera will handle Nog just like he did Frank Mir or worse ( not likely I know) but really people it’s not a popularity contest, Its fighting![/quote]
Come on Frank Mir fight??? Are u serious bro? Mir has been done since the minute he stepped back in the octagon. You can’t compare that fight to what could get announced real soon with Big Nog. No one saying that he’s pulling a Mcmahon, because your right you cannot predict the outcome in MMA. It’s a business and of course Dana is somewhat dictating what is supposed to happen. Of course there are flukes in the game just as GSP/Serra. No one could of predicted that but come on do you seriously think that Dana is not pupeteering what is supposed to happen. Shit most of us can with some basic stats,and MMA knowledge.
Here we go with nice news, check out: http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.howToWatch&eid=592
Notice something? YES! UFC72 will be aired on SpikeTV as well - apparently the UFC and HBO still have not found common ground regarding the production of future events, so: good for us.
I think we might see Big Nog even at UFC 72 in this case, since there is no fight card set up yet and this would make for a nice main event in my book. Also, since it would be broadcasted for free on SpikeTV it would give Big Nog a hell of a exposure and a great introduction to old and new fans.
i say feed tim sylvia to him, i cant get enough of tim “poopy pants” sylvia getting his ass kick’t…
we should put it to a vote!!!
If this is going to be free on spike than I dont care who’s ass big nog kicks. But I would diff. pay to see Big Nog kick the shit out of Vera.
big nog wil win until randy
[quote comment=”35453″]Here we go with nice news, check out: http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.howToWatch&eid=592
Notice something? YES! UFC72 will be aired on SpikeTV as well - apparently the UFC and HBO still have not found common ground regarding the production of future events, so: good for us.
I think we might see Big Nog even at UFC 72 in this case, since there is no fight card set up yet and this would make for a nice main event in my book. Also, since it would be broadcasted for free on SpikeTV it would give Big Nog a hell of a exposure and a great introduction to old and new fans.[/quote]
What am I supposed to notice? What makes you think it’s free on Spike? There is nothing written under ufc72/spike tv…
Sorry Anus, but Nog would likely decimate randy.
your argument is valid, and noted, but damn he smashed Sylvia so easy
Cant wait for this fight it would be awesome.
Whoever Randy fights next si going to be the 2nd biggest fight of the year, the first being Liddell - Rampage, and after finally seeing their 1st fight… I don’t know or have a prediction of who would win!!!!!
Everyone is up Vera’s ass! Who has he beaten? An old out of prime Frank Muir(9-2)? Allesio whatever his name is? Justin Eilers and FAbricio Scherne, look out.. Other then ,all those other fighters have a combined record of 1 and 7. Wow, Vera has beaten some quality people and deserves a title shot.
Then there is Nog…He has beaten Mirko Cro Cop, Dan Henderson, Fabricio Werdum, Marc Coleman, twice taken the best heavyweight in the world, in Emelianko, to the judges table(which to mention the only other people to do that are Mirko and Sammy Schmilt). How can you even compare the 2? Vera has not even been tested and he is some sort of Golden Boy! He can not even be considered the Poster Boy for Mediocrity with his wins, because the people he beat do not even have mediocre records. They all have lossing records! He beat Muir. If anyone out there thinks that Muir is the same fighter he was before the accident to hype Vera’s ability, your out of your mind.
Then I see people getting on managment for giving these big name fighters give mes for their first fight. Of course they are going to. All sports give you some sort of comfort time. That is why they have preseason. So they can get adjusted and acclimated to playing. No different in MMA. Si rather then set them on the biggest stage of their life with never fighting in a cage, they give them an easier fight. REmember it is and there is a huge diffence in fighting cage and ring.
I highly doubt that this match would happen. For the UFC to put NOG against someone who has a great chance of beating him, would not be to smart on their move. Everyone thinks NOG would win, but my money’s on VERA, no doubt!!!
well monkey, Vera made Assurio Silva look like a chump…something Tim Sylvia and A. Emalianenko couldnt do…i wouldnt completely count Vera out here, but i wouldnt count Nog out either…i think this fight would be electric, and probably end by decision
[quote comment=”35486″]
What am I supposed to notice? What makes you think it’s free on Spike? There is nothing written under ufc72/spike tv…[/quote]
Well, if you didn’t believed me, check the new article UFCmania just put up:
“Don’t forget: UFC 72 will air FREE on Spike television!”
[quote comment=”35480″]big nog wil win until randy[/quote]
I agree.
This fight should get thrown into 72 as a co-main event
All good fighters are welcomed in the UFC. That way we don’t have to see trash fights!!!
[quote comment=”35303″]wish this punk CHEEKS wouldhurry up….. win or lose both of these guys should get more opportunities to prove themselves in other matchups!!!![/quote]
STOP LYING YOU LIKE VERA IT WILL BE A GOOD FIGHT AND WOULD BE ON ULTIMATE KNOCKOUTS7 WITH VERA FLYING THROUGH THE CAGE
8-1
Everyone has a prediction and some of you guys think you actually know what will happen. I love it! Here’s my prediction: Vera will finish Nog before the third round. I don’t really like the guy (Vera), but he’s looked good in pretty much every fight I’ve seen him. He’s skilled, young, fast, and very strong. And he’s got something to prove.
There you go “Stafo”, there’s doubt in your prediction.
vera would win…. no doubt.. hes the best…. he make that opponent of his look like a kid…. hahhahahha……
[quote comment=”35934″]Everyone has a prediction and some of you guys think you actually know what will happen. I love it! Here’s my prediction: Vera will finish Nog before the third round. I don’t really like the guy (Vera), but he’s looked good in pretty much every fight I’ve seen him. He’s skilled, young, fast, and very strong. And he’s got something to prove.
There you go “Stafo”, there’s doubt in your prediction.[/quote]
You claim your opinion on seeing Vera fight. Have you seen the 2 time PRide HW champ fight, DA?
[quote comment=”36662″][quote comment=”35934″]Everyone has a prediction and some of you guys think you actually know what will happen. I love it! Here’s my prediction: Vera will finish Nog before the third round. I don’t really like the guy (Vera), but he’s looked good in pretty much every fight I’ve seen him. He’s skilled, young, fast, and very strong. And he’s got something to prove.
There you go “Stafo”, there’s doubt in your prediction.[/quote]
You claim your opinion on seeing Vera fight. Have you seen the 2 time PRide HW champ fight, DA?[/quote]
Thank U MTU for informing WADZ on who Vera’s possible opponent is. Doubt in my prediction…LOL Cracking me up
Regardless, I think Vera will do better than all you say. There is no reason to think why not, his limit has never been seen, he has walked through everyone yet. So he is still kinda like a wildcard. Maybe NOG will slaughter him, maybe Vera can step up. But untill you see Vera fight something that pushes him to his limit, it is all Speculation.
man who is vera gona fight first it was tim now nog
MMA= anything can happen! There is always the favorite, till the lucky kick or punch comes through! If it goes to the ground its Big nog advantage, if goes Stand up its Veras advantage. But the hungriness and will of Vera will make the difference! We saw in St Pierre againts Hughes, Serra againts St pierre, and Gonzaga againts Crocop. It will be the same! Vera’s hunger will be the deciding factor. Go ahead count him out, Im sure I wont!
[quote post=”1829″]For those who don’t know, Vera did sign an extension. So if they feed Nog him, yes Vera will lose, I think it’s because it will force him to LHW. The days of Vera saying he wants to be HW and LHW champ is 100% over. The landscape has changed over the last 8 months and an undersized Vera will get destroyed in the HW division.[/quote]
I know Vera is so little and weak ,He stands no chance in the HW div. He’ll get mauled by the big strong 250 lbs guys, Oh, wait a minute ,that was him mauling the last three 250 lbs guys he fought, sorry my mistake.