Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is not done with Mauricio Rua just yet. After dropping another unanimous decision loss to his rival in UFC 190’s Fight of the Night, Lil’ Nog would like a chance to have a third go with the former light heavyweight champion, as he revealed to Sportv.
“I would like to ask for another rematch. I was apprehensive for not living up to the first fight. Ten years ago I was much vigorous. This time, it was more technical, it wasn’t much of a brawl. Shogun is a guy I would like to fight again. I know it’s hard, but they were two very close decisions. I lost again, but I would like to fight him again.”
Even though he lost, Lil’ Nog believes he did enough to win the second fight, which is why he desires the rubber match so badly.
“It was a very good fight. I would give myself a two point difference in the first round because I almost knocked him out. I lost the first half of the second round, I was on the bottom. But I won the second half. The third one was really close, I put him in a guillotine, but he escaped. Very close fight, but I believe I won the fight by one point.”
When asked about the rematch, Shogun easily replied he would do it one more time.
“Of course. He deserves all my respect. I would fight him again.”
It’s not that often the UFC puts together rubber matches when one fighter has won the first two fights, but it has happened before, like Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn. So, for now, it remains to be seen.
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