MMA Combat - White Gives Added Incentive to Schaub, Nogueira

MMA Combat - White Gives Added Incentive to Schaub, Nogueira

UFC president Dana White announced on Thursday, June 16, at a promotion press conference in Brazil, that the winner between the ever-improving Brendan Schaub and heavyweight legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 134 - Rio will put themselves in line for a title shot following the highly anticipated dos Santos vs. Velasquez showdown later this year.

Nogueira will be the crowd favorite in Rio

"This is a big fight in the heavyweight division," said White. "The winner of this fight between Big Nog and Brendan Schaub puts one of these guys right in the mix of the heavyweight division."

"Minotauro" last competed at UFC 110 where he was stopped by current champion Cain Velasquez on first round strikes; sidelined for a year and a half following the bout, Nogueira opted to undergo a series of hip and knee surgeries to repair injuries that were clearly hobbling the once indestructible fighter. With a record of 3-2 inside the octagon the twelve-year veteran of the sport looks to make what could be his final run at a major promotional title, and potentially earn an opportunity to avenge his most recent defeat.

Grudge Training Center product, Brendan "The Hybrid" Schaub, has put together four consecutive victories since he was knocked out in The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale by Roy Nelson in his promotion debut. Most recently, Schaub stopped another PRIDE legend in Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic when he knocked out the former K-1 kickboxer at 3:44 of the third round at UFC 128 - Shogun vs. Jones. Schaub and his management immediately set their sights on Nogueira after the bout, and were granted their wish as he will square off with the former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champ in hostile territory.


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MMA Combat - Velasquez to Defend Against dos Santos Nov 19

MMA Combat - Velasquez to Defend Against dos Santos Nov 19

UFC champion Cain Velasquez

The Los Angeles Times has reported that UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (9-0-0) is tabbed to defend his title against number-one contender Junior dos Santos (13-1-0) on November 19, 2011, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, citing Zuffa chairman Lorenzo Fertitta as their source.

The bout will headline UFC 138 and garner a partisan crowd in support of the champion as American Kickboxing Academy has deep roots in the city, where Velasquez trains. Velasquez last appeared in October of 2010 when he defeated then champion Brock Lesner for the promotion strap at UFC 121. Undefeated in his professional career, the champion is a perfect 7-0 inside the octagon with notable wins over Ben Rothwell, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and the aforementioned Lesner. After his latest victory, Velasquez was forced to undergo surgery to repair an injured rotator-cuff; and although it has taken longer than expected for All-American wrestler to heal, all reports suggest he'll be ready for action before year's end.

Challenger Junior dos Santos has been nothing short of brilliant throughout his UFC stint to-date. With a punishing victory over one-time title challenger Shane Carwin at UFC 131, June 11, in Vancouver, Canada, dos Santos solidified himself as the division's number one contender. With 8 [T]KOs in 13 career wins, "Cigano" showcases some of the most refined boxing skill in the heavyweight division today; besting Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin most recently via one-sided unanimous decisions, the Team Nogueira product stopped his first five opponents inside the octagon on punches and will look to complete his run to the top later this year against the formidable Velasquez.


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