sábado, 8 de janeiro de 2011

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira - Minotauro UFC


Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐ̃ˈtoniu ʁoˈdɾiɡu noˈɡejɾɐ]; born June 2, 1976) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist known for his technical mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is a former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion.
He rose to prominence in the Japanese Pride Fighting Championships promotion, where he was the first Pride Heavyweight Champion from November 2001 to March 2003, as well as a Pride FC heavyweight grand prix finalist. He is the only heavyweight to have held Championship titles in both Pride Fighting Championships promotion and the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion.

Early life
Born in the town of Vitória da Conquista, Brazil, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira started training in judo at the age of 4, boxing at 14 and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he was 18. He was run over by a truck when he was 9, and fell into a coma for 25 days. During this time he lost a rib and part of his liver and had to be hospitalized for eleven months. As a result of the accident he has a large scar, including a noticeable indentation, on his lower back.
A few years after his MMA debut he started to train at the Brazilian Top Team. In June 2007 Nogueira officially left Brazilian Top Team prior to his UFC debut and is currently associated with Black House.





MMA career
At the age of fourteen he was invited by a friend to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo de la Riva Goded. By then he had already begun training in boxing. In 1999, at age 23, he was awarded with the black belt in both judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. That same year, he made his mixed martial arts debut against David Dodd in World Extreme Fighting 6, submitting Dodd via crucifix in the first round. After defeating Nate Schroeder via armbar in WEF 7, he fought in Japan for the Rings promotion's King of Kings 1999 forty-eight man tournament held over 3 events where he won three fights before losing by decision to Dan Henderson in the tournament semi-finals. In between the two Rings events in which he competed, he defeated Jeremy Horn by decision at WEF 8. Nogueira then entered the King of Kings 2000 forty-man tournament held over three events, winning all of his five matches to become the tournament champion.

    

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