15/09/09 - Nogueira wants UFC to match him with Brock Lesnar
Fresh of his win over Randy Couture at UFC 102 last week, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (32-5-1) has set his sights on the UFC heavyweight title held by Randy Couture.
At Bitetti Combat 4 on Saturday, he spoke with Brasil Combate about his performance against Couture and the future.
“Our goal is the belt and I believe in God it will happen. The only thing I ask God is I fight well and my shape is 100% in condition to fight like I fought the last time with Couture,” he said.
The win over Couture was all the more meaningful to Nogueira as it came after the first stoppage loss of his career, to Frank Mir (12-4) at UFC 92.
“I wish health to train the same intensity all the time. I worked very hard for that fight and because of that the result was positive. Many people said I wouldn’t manage to get there but it was like I previously said, I wasn’t feeling good on Frank Mir’s fight. I hope to give the show like I always did and will keep doing so.”
Brock Lesnar - who defends his heavyweight belt against Shane Carwin at UFC 106 in November - is regarded as a fighter tough to be beaten but Nogueira already has some strategy in mind.
“Keep moving all the time and pressuring him up and down using his weight to my advantage. Working sharp boxing I’m sure I’ll leave the Octagon victorious. I anxiously expect this day and I have stated that I want to fight him.”
There is no word yet on what Nogueira’s next fight will be but the win over Couture, a former heavyweight champion himself, has done much to put the Brazilian on the title track.
Wesley Moura
www.brasilcombate.com.br“Hanging out in Rio de Janeiro”
