UFC Fight Night 39 will take place in Abu Dhabi with the main event featuring Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (34-8-1) locking horns with Roy "Big Country" Nelson (20-9-0). The prizefight is scheduled for five rounds in the heavyweight division. Both combatants are ranked within the top 15 of the division.
"Minotauro" is a 37 year old former champion and veteran of the cage trying to rekindle a career that appears to be past the best days. In his last contest, Nogueira lost to Fabricio Werdum and has not been consistently victorious in over four years. In facing Nelson, Nogueria needs a flawless fight to have a shot at the win but this still might not be enough for the aged Brazilian at this stage of his career.
Nelson is a punishing striker with knockout force in his fists and an iron chin to exchange with anyone in the business today. The American is also a competent grappler that can hold his own in a ground fight. Add the fact that "Big Country" is one of the physically strongest heavies operating in the cage and Nogueria is definitely on the outside looking in. "Minotauro" does have one thing going for him in this fight: experience. The Brazilian has been in the cage with many a tough competitor.
Nogueria is capable of rattling off combinations but it is imperative that he moves out of the way and does not admire his work; the return fire from Nelson is likely to end the fight. If Nogueria can stick and move consistently without getting caught by a Nelson bomb, then the chances of winning significantly improve for the vintage warrior.
The Brazilian certainly wants to avoid the cage floor early on as, even though once upon a time he was a dominate ground technician, the fact is that at this moment in time, it is unlikely that "Minotauro" can take the sheer strength of "Big Country" on the ground. By keeping the big American moving early and often, Nogueria will be able to take the fight into the latter rounds and really test Nelson's stamina. This will also give "Minotauro" a shot at being successful on the ground, later in the fight.
The bottom-line is this: Nogueria will definitely need to recapture the greatness of yesteryear and stay active every second of every minute of every round in order to be able to walk out of the cage with a conquest.
Sergio L. Martinez
www.convictedartist.com