Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Antônio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, Big Nog, was the jiu-jitsu wizard who could survive anything. The first Pride heavyweight champion, he won the 2000 Rings King of Kings tournament, pulled off the comeback armbar on Bob Sapp in 2002 and fought Fedor Emelianenko three times, and he shares the record for most submission wins in Pride history.

In the UFC he became interim heavyweight champion by submitting Tim Sylvia in 2008, coached The Ultimate Fighter against Frank Mir, and won fan favourites against Randy Couture and Brendan Schaub. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rogério Nogueira. CagePotato covered his late-career fights and his move into a UFC ambassador role.

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira fact file
Full nameAntônio Rodrigo Nogueira
NicknameMinotauro (Big Nog)
Date of birth
Place of birthVitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
Organisations fought in
  • Pride FC
  • UFC
  • Fighting Network Rings
Accolades
  • Pride Heavyweight Champion (inaugural)
  • Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion (2008)
  • Rings King of Kings 2000 tournament winner
  • Most submission wins in Pride history (shared, 11)

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