Rumor: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cheick Kongo at UFC 79
26 September 2007
16 Comments
According to rumors Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will step back into the octagon on December 29th to take on Cheick Kongo at UFC 79.
Kongo was believed to be fighting former UFC champion Frank Mir later this year (at least if Mir got his way) but Mir’s next opponent is now up in the air.
Update: MMAFrenzy.com spoke to Mir’s manager, Dean Albrecht, earlier today and at this time there is no definite opponent in place for his next bout.
Minotauro Will End the Year with Kongo [MMA Movement]
I hope this turns out to be true. It should be an awesome fight. Kongo has never been submitted before BUT then again he’s never really faced anyone with the submission arsenal close to that of Nog’s. Kongo is a super strong dude and Nog needs to find a way to take this one to the ground.
Thanks Kris for the heads up about the spam comments, I was wondering what the heck they were.
Btw I look forward to the Eric’s announcement. I’ll send you an email after breakfast.
woul be an interesting fight but i do think nog would have too much for him.the winner should probably get a go at couture which would be good fight either way
Sounds like a good fight. If Minotauro almost got knocked out by Herring at UFC 73; then he better watch out for Kongo’s striking. Kongo on the other hand has been improving his game in terms of the ground. Kongo, if he can keep it standing; he might squeeze out a decision. This has to be the number one contender’s match right? I guess maybe Mir will fight Arlovski?
Should be a great fight if it comes off, I cant say I was over impressed at Nogueira’s first UFC fight but saying that he has the ability to prove he is a threat within the devision. Cheick will certainly put Nogueira to the test, as Cheick is now at the top of his game and has great striking ability. could be one of the fights of the night.
[...] UFCDaily.com is reporting a rumored match between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cheick Kongo. After the Jardine [...]
I thought Nog and Couture were gonna fight?? What happend to that?
I really think it was a combination of factors but the UFC was actually lacking contenders in the division to fight Couture as Arlovski was locked in contract issues, Vera had issues with management, Sylvia and Gonzaga lost to Couture already, and Cro Cop got beat twice.
Despite a lot of talent the UFC is likely booking this match to delay Couture’s next title defense to give his arm time to heal and to allow the UFC to find a true top contender in Kongo or Nog.
Nogueira really needs to beat Kongo if he ever wants a title shot. He has fought Herring 3 times. Herring never looked worse than there last meeting, yet it was the closest Kieth has come to beating “NOG” yet. To me, he needs to prove he desireves a title shot. Also, why does the UFC keep screwing Mir. It’s not cause they are affraid that he will break his jaw and not be able to commintate in the WEC, cause he sucks at that! They need to give him another big fight. I think him and Sylvia makes sense for both fighters. If Mir wins, he’s back on track. If Sylvia wins, he avenges a lose, and maybe gets the rematch he never got.
I believe that Cheick Kongo vs Minotauro would be an awsome fight, both men have beaten Cro Cop one by decision, and the other by submision. But i believe that this fight between Kongo and Nogueira might go to a decision, and if it goes there i believe that Kongo has great chances of getting away with it. As for Randy Coutures next oponent, i believe that it is in this fight not in the one from Tim Sylvia and Brandon Vera, eventhough Tim Sylvia still has his Re-match clause, if he beats Vera i believe that he is in line for a title shot, but it depends in how the fight between Vera and the Maineiac finish and how the fight between Kongo and Minotauro also finish.It Would be awsome to see Randy Couture vs Chieck Kongo or Tim Sylvia again, so he can test himself again against big knock out power guys!.
i think the winner of Sylvia vs Vera will get the next shot unless they sign FEDOR
yeah my boy kongo is fighting antonio should be a excellent fight if kongo wins he better get a title shot
i think vera could end up being the best of the lot but we will find out alot more about how good he is against sylvia.some good match ups to be made whichever way they go with it!
Great Fight! I think Nog has more to prove and if he should get King Kongo to the mat and on his back he will win.
i think that it would not be a very good fight unless Nog decided he would stand toe to le toe with Kongo. He is way to skilled on the ground and would have no problem submitting him in the first round if he chose. Mir is good on the ground but no where near as dangerous as Nog so it would make for a far more equal fight
Mir? He has had his chances and has not looked impressive. he needs to knock off a few guys before a shot a couture. and this wont happen because he is washed up and overrated. who deserves the next shot? fedor for sure if he signs relatively soon. but if not, then likely vera after he takes it to sylvia. if sylvia did win, give him the shot. he would then deserve his rematch. nog or kongo could get the next fight. i wish the ufc would sign barnett - i guess that wont ever happen.
this will not be a fight…. its going to be a massacre. kongo is going to get stomped