Antonio Rogerio Nogueira wants third fight with 'Shogun' Rua
Over the past ten years, Antonio Rogerio "Minotouro" Nogueira has fought Mauricio "Shogun" Rua twice. Twice Nogueira started out strong, only to end up losing a close decision to his rival.
In 2005, the two met in the quarterfinals of the Pride middleweight Grand Prix tournament and Rua edged Nogueira out in one of the greatest fights of all time. Last weekend, the two finally rematched at UFC 190.
Though the rematch wasn't as brutal (thankfully, for both of the veteran's respective health meters) a war as their first encounter, it was an exciting and close bout. And, "Lil Nog" wouldn't mind a third one.
After all, he still wants a win over Rua, though he feels like he deserved to get the nod in Rio last Saturday. "I would ask for a rematch again," he told Brazilian outlet Globo, recently.
"I was worried that the rematch would not live up to the original fight. Ten years ago I was stronger. This time, the fight was more technical, less 'ass-kicking.' 'Shogun' is a guy I want to fight again. I know it's difficult, we've had two very close decisions, and I lost again, but I want to fight him again."
It appeared as though Rua stole the last two rounds after nearly being finished by punches in the first by Nogueira. However, "Minotoro" doesn't see it that way.
"The fight was very good. I think I won the first round 10-8 because I almost finished the fight by knockout. The second round, I lost because I feel down. The third round, we were neck and neck. In the end, I pulled a guillotine choke and he managed to get out. The round was evenly divided. It was a hotly contested fight. In my opinion, I won that fight by a point.
