Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira has quickly made an impact on the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Now Brazilian-language website, Tatame has reported that his next fight under the UFC banner will come against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in September.
Tatame cites Nogueira’s boxing coach, Luis Carlos Dorea as the source for the match up announcement. Although, Dorea did say in the report that nothing has been confirmed by the promotion.
After a long career in Pride FC ended with a surprising knockout loss at the hands of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Nogueira fought in four different countries before receiving the call from the UFC. He made his debut in dramatic fashion by knocking out Luiz Arthur Cane in less than two minutes at UFC 106. He returned at UFC 114 and took and extremely controversial decision over Jason Brilz.
Jackson made his name in the Pride FC organization. He came to the UFC in 2007 and won the promotion’s light heavyweight championship in only his second fight. He defended the title once against former Pride FC champion Dan Henderson before dropping the belt to Forrest Griffin. In his last performance, he dropped a decision victory to another former champion, Rashad Evans.
The UFC currently has two shows scheduled for September. On Sept. 15 they will host UFC Fight Night 22 Austin, Texas, and ten days late the promotion will be in Indianapolis for UFC 119.