Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira won’t be fighting on the co-main event of UFC 161 next weekend, but it appears that they are still destined to fight each other in the long run.
‘Shogun’ will now fight Chael Sonnen at ‘UFC On FOX Sports 1’ instead, but according to Brazilian site SporTV, after that ‘Shogun’ will go on to coach TUF: Brazil 3 opposite Nogueira before finally getting the opportunity to face each other in the Octagon at the show’s finale.
A rematch between ‘Shogun’ and ‘Lil Nog’ has been on the cards for a long time since their original bout all the way at PRIDE: Critical Countdown in 2005, with Rua emerging the victor on that occasion by decision in what’s widely believed to be one of the organization’s classic fights.
Nogueira is currently enjoying a two-fight winning streak in the Octagon against former champions Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans, while ‘Shogun’ lost a decision to Alexander Gustafsson back in December of last year.
