Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira ( born June 2, 1976), better known as Minotauro or Minotauro Nogueira, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist known for his technical mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rogério Nogueira. He rose to prominence in the Japanese promotion Pride Fighting Championships, where he was the first Pride Heavyweight Champion from November 2001 to March 2003, as well as a 2004 PRIDE FC Heavyweight Grand Prix Finalist. He is one of only three men to have held championship titles in both Pride Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (the others being Mauricio Rua and Mark Coleman). He is currently ranked as the #7 heavyweight fighter in the world by Sherdog. Nogueira holds notable victories over Randy Couture, Mirko Cro Cop, Dan Henderson, Fabricio Werdum, Mark Coleman, Josh Barnett, Tim Sylvia, Dave Herman, Heath Herring (x3) and Sergei Kharitonov. Nogueira would become the Lineal Mixed Martial Arts Champion by defeating Mark Coleman at Pride 16. He would defend this distinction 6 times over the course of the next 15 months.