Issue 192

September 2020

Two Brazilian heroes got it together for a third fight and no-one was disappointed

Three times they’ve met. Each time over three rounds. Each time it’s gone the distance. And each time the same winner. These are the bald facts, but nine rounds, 45 minutes and three decisions (two unanimous, this one split) doesn’t come close to telling the tale of one of the sport’s greatest rivalries: that between ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The latest (can it really be the last?) instalment took place on Fight Island as part of UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs Till, and, defying many gloomy predictions, it proved an absolute war with both men having their moments of dominance in the fight but Shogun edging it via split decision. Together they muster more than 60 fights and 82 years, but they rolled back those years to prove their legendary status and recall their Fight of the Night winner at UFC 190 and even their first encounter in Pride, fully 15 years ago. Both men can hold their heads high. We will never see another rivalry quite like theirs.