UFC legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira rolled back the years with a spectacular knockout in his return to boxing.
The 48-year-old Antonio Rogerio Nogueira demonstrated that age is just a number during a dramatic comeback to combat sports following a three-year break.
Nogueira faced Brazilian bodybuilder and influencer Fabio Tadalafellas at Fight Music Show 6 in Sao Paulo on Saturday. This was Nogueira`s first exhibition boxing bout since securing a unanimous decision victory in January 2022, following a disappointing conclusion to his UFC career with a loss to Shogun Rua in July 2020.
Despite a mixed recent record in fighting, Nogueira retains his status as one of the world`s most formidable figures as he nears 50. The competitive drive that established him as a PRIDE legend is clearly still strong, as he demonstrated against Tadalafellas this past weekend.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Knocks Out Brazilian Influencer in Exhibition Match
Nogueira and Tadalafellas met in the co-main event of Fight Music Show 6, which was topped by a bout between Acelino Freitas and Duda Nagle. Following a slow start in the first round between Nogueira and Tadalafellas, “Minotauro” quickly increased his tempo in Round 2.
Nogueira promptly began pushing Tadalafellas towards the ropes, putting his opponent on the defensive and seemingly overwhelmed by the MMA icon`s relentless pressure. After Nogueira dazed Tadalafellas with a right hook, a follow-up left hand to the jaw was all that was required to score a devastating knockout.
You can watch Nogueira`s victorious moment below.
Nogueira now holds a 2-0 record in exhibition boxing, having previously beaten Leonardo Guimaraes by unanimous decision at Fight Music Show 1. His last combat sports win prior to this was against Sam Alvey in September 2018.
This was also Nogueira`s first win by stoppage since the Alvey fight, marking a return to form after alternating wins and losses during the latter part of his UFC run. Notable victories during his time in the promotion include wins over Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz.
Cris Cyborg Also Earns First-Round Boxing Knockout Ahead of PFL Return
Nogueira wasn`t the only combat sports legend to secure a significant boxing win this weekend. Former UFC women`s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg also achieved a first-round knockout against Precious Harris-McCray in San Jose.
Following her victory, Cyborg called out Claressa Shields, nicknamed “The GWOAT,” potentially setting up a future boxing clash. Shields and Cyborg have engaged in verbal exchanges for years, making a potential fight seem increasingly plausible.
Cyborg is still expected to face Sara Collins upon her return to the PFL, possibly later this summer. Her last MMA fight was a win against Larissa Pacheco in October.
Percy Harlow