Rogério Nogueira

With three victories in three fights in 2008, Rogério “Minotouro” Nogueira celebrated his back to Japan with a unanimous decision victory against Moise Rimbon, but if you think he just wants to relax now you’re definitely wrong. Getting ready to fight again at Affliction, at January 24th, in a rematch against Vladmir Matyushenko, Nogueira spoke with TATAME.com about his debut at Sengoku, the back to Japanese rings and the training to go back to Affliction. Check below the complete interview with Nogueira.

What do you think about your fight at Sengoku?

I think it was a good fight, another victory, I fought well and was better than him in striking and on the ground, but I’m not completely happy because I didn’t submit him. He moved backwards the whole fight, he didn’t walked forward to avoid my takedowns. He tried the kicks and running backwards, and fought to lose by decision.

Do you think he fought this way to avoid the ground?

Absolutely. His tactic was stand and use his Muay Thai, kicks and punches, but when he saw I was defending it he lost himself and tried to take me down, but I defended that too.

How did you winning again at Japan?

Japan is like my second home, I made my career there, almost eight years, and it’s great to go back there, those fans, that atmosphere… People there love fights, I feel that they understand a lot the fight on the ground, understand what’s happening, admire he fighter like a samurai, the real essence of the martial art, and go back there and show my work, that I’m getting better and developing my game, not only technically but physically too, is very good. I’m in a great time, three victories this years and I wanna fight again next year, fight at Japan is great.

Sengoku is preparing a light-heavyweight tournament for next year… Do you plan fighting there too?

I don’t know, they didn’t speak with me about it, it depends on the negotiation. If I could fight both at Japan and USA I’ll definitely do it. There are a lot of fighters who are in Sengoku too, and I’d be interested on doing that too.

When will you fight again?

I’ll be back at Affliction at January 24th, against Vladmir Matyushenko.

You fought him at 2002... What’s the plan for this fight now?

He’s from wrestling, I fought with him and lost, but I’ll get a rematch now. I didn’t train for that fight, they called me one week before it and didn’t even knew who he was… He kept me on the ground on top of me the whole time, I tried an arm-lock but he got out, and today I’m a lot better trained and I’m a complete different end better fighter, I’m more confident and will be different.