For the third time in their colorful UFC careers, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Rogerio “Minotauro” Nogueira Rua will meet inside the Octagon this coming weekend in Abu Dhabi. Rua has won the first two fights against his fellow Brazilian warrior, but will this third and likely final chapter of their rivalry be in favor of Nogueira? Let’s find out.
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Betting Preview for the Mauricio Rua vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Light Heavyweight Bout on July 25 2020
Where: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
When: Saturday, July 25, 2020
Odds: Mauricio Rua (-200) vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (+160)
TV Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Betting on Mauricio Rua (-200)
MMA Record: 26-11-1
Rua will have a taste of MMA action again, several months after his last fight, which was a draw with Paul Craig in November of last year. Prior to that, though, Rua had put up a 4-1 record, including a win over Nogueira back in 2015. Rua has won his first two meetings with Nogueira. In their last matchup, Rua scored a three-round unanimous decision, wherein he dominated Minotauro. Shogun landed 164 total strikes. Not only that, but Rua also took Nogueira down four times while taking zero takedowns. Rua simply dominated Nogueira in that fight, and with the latter way past his 40s, the former could find it easier to crack the UFC legend. Rua is no spring chicken himself anymore, but he’s in a much better form than Nogueira, who’s lost two of his last three fights via knockouts. Rua has 21 knockout victories. He is 2-1-1 in his last four fights, with both wins coming via KOs.
Betting on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (+160)
MMA Record: 23-9-0
Nogueira’s best days are behind him, but he can still hurt people with his power — and experience. Before he suffered a knockout loss to Ryan Spann in the first round of their fight in May 2019, Nogueira knocked out Sam Alvey in September 2018. Nogueira’s most recent significant win was against Rashad Evans in 2013. Prior to that fight, he scored a TKO against Tito Ortiz. Nogueira’s win over Alvey had him winning Performance of the Night honors. He won that fight despite being a decade older than Alvey. The old man was lagging behind Alvey in the striking department but it only took him one big left hand to tide the fight to his favor. Nogueira peppered Alvey with punches until it was stopped in the second round. In other words, Nogueira’s power can still spell trouble and a reason why he can’t be counted out even when the fight does not seem to be going his way. Nogueira has an 8-4 knockout record and a 6-0 submission slate.
Writer’s Prediction
Rua wins via KO.
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