Antonio Minotauro Nogueira

D.O.B.: 05/02/1976
Weight:241LB/110KG
Height: 6’3”
Fighting style: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Judo
MMA Record: 30 – 4 – 1 – 1
Team: Formerly with Brazilian Top Team
Fighting out of: Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil

Antonio Minotauro Nogueira is a heavyweight fighter in Mixed Martial Arts, known for his technical mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his submission victories. Nogueira is also noted to be a proficient striker, training annually with the Cuban National Boxing Team. He rose to fame in the Japanese PRIDE Fighting Championship promotion, and has recently been signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship He is the former PRIDE heavyweight champion, as well as the former interim PRIDE heavyweight champion. Nogueira is currently ranked as the world #2 heavyweight by MMA Weekly, and holds wins over notable fighters such as Mirko Flipovic, Josh Barnett, Dan Henderson, Mark Coleman, Sergei Kharitonov, Fabricio Werdum, Semmy Schilt, Ricco Rodriguez, Bob Sapp and Jeremy Horn.

Prior to his UFC debut, Nogueira fought in the WEF, King of Kings, and Pride. He debuted in July 2001 at PRIDE 15, rapidly submitting Gary Goodridge by triangle choke. In PRIDE 16, he submitted UFC and PRIDE Grand Prix champion Mark Coleman by armbar. He was crowned PRIDE heavyweight champion after defeating fellow contender Heath Herring by decision. Nogueria went 17 – 3 – 1 in Pride, before leaving for the UFC.

It was announced at UFC 69 by Dana White that Nogueira had joined the UFC. His first fight was against Heath Herring, at UFC 73, via unanimous decision. During the first round Nogueira was hit with a high kick that sent him crashing to the canvas, in which some people like unofficial judge Eddie Bravo thought the fight could have been stopped. Herring pounced on Nogueira and tried to finish but Nogueira was able to hold on and come back with a decision.