In the co-main event at UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar, MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-1(1) MMA; 4-3 UFC) takes on Dave Herman (21-4 MMA; 1-2 UFC). This Heavyweight fight is the 5th of six fights on the main card. UFC 153 airs live on PPV Saturday night, October 13 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
This fight is a bit reminiscent of Minotauro’s last trip to Brazil at UFC 134. There, he also took on a younger fighter trying to topple the legend in Brendan Schaub. That time, Big Nog was triumphant in one of the great wins of 2011. He’ll attempt to recreate that moment here. If he does, it will be another glorious win in his amazing career. But if Herman pulls off the win, there are going to be some unhappy fans in attendance.
How do these two stack up?
Nogueira: 36 years old | 6’3″ | 77″ reach
Herman: 28 years old | 6’4″ | 77″ reach
What have these two done recently?
Nogueira: L – Frank Mir (Sub) | W – Brendan Schaub (KO) | L – Cain Velasquez (KO)
Herman: L – Roy Nelson (KO) | L – Stefan Struve (TKO) | W – Jon Olav Einemo (TKO)
How did these two get here?
Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira is one of the last great legends still standing in the sport. At a time when so many of his contemporaries are retiring, Nog is still in there, but for how much longer? His UFC career has lasted 5 years, but has been characterized largely by inactivity and loss. He has a winning UFC record with impressive wins over Tim Sylvia and Randy Couture, but he also has a pair of loses to Frank Mir, including a nasty kimura loss in his last fight. You can’t deny that Big Nog is one of the best there ever was. But you also can’t deny that those days are behind him. The questions to be answered here are, just how far behind him are they, and does he still have enough for one more win?
Dave “Pee Wee” Herman came to the UFc last year with a solid 20-2 record that included time in Bellator, Sengoku, EliteXC, and various regional promotions. He was seen as an exciting new Heavyweight prospect, but has struggled in the UFC. He squeaked out a win against Einemo in his debut, but has been stopped in both of his subsequent UFC fights. A wrestler out of Team Quest, Herman drew attention for his ability to finish opponents with big strikes, but we haven’t seen much of that in the UFC. The Heavyweight division is a bit shallow, but I still think Herman is likely fighting for his job here.
Why should you care?
If you don’t care about Nogueira, you’re no friend of mine. The man is a living legend, one of the last of his era, and a man who will receive a hero’s welcome in Rio. You never know just how many more fights you’re going to get out of him, and you never know how his fights will go, so don’t miss any of them.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 153:
UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar fight card – Mookie Alexander
UFC 153 betting lines – Tim Burke
UFC 153 Bloody Elbow staff picks and predictions – Tim Burke
Minotauro Nogueira vs. Dave Herman Dissection – Dallas Winston
Glover Teixeira vs. Fabio Maldonado Dissection – Dallas Winston
Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva Dissection – Dallas Winston
Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado Dissection – Dallas Winston
Demian Maia vs. Rick Story Dissection – Dallas Winston
FX prelim card previews – Fraser Coffeen
Video: UFC 153 weigh-in results
Silva vs. Bonnar through the Cobb vs. Holmes lens – Brent Brookhouse
Can Bonnar make his name against Silva? – Fraser Coffeen
Erick Silva discusses Jon Fitch – Tim Burke
Anderson Silva: 5 signature moves – Jack Slack
About the author
