Phil Davis to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
With their many accomplishments Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (left) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (right) have impressed the entire world of combat sports.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship recently announced that unbeaten light heavyweight star Phil Davis (8-0) from San Diego will be challenging Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-4) from San Diego in the main event of UFC Fight Night Live on March 26 at the Key Arena in Seattle.
Davis, who originally hails from Harrisburg, Pa., and now lives locally in San Diego, works out at the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. He’s replacing Tito Ortiz, who was forced to withdraw due to an injury.
MMA's 2010 top prospect of the year, Phil Davis poses for a photo with wounded Iraqi war veteran, Marine Corporal Fife.
“Phil Davis is an absolute beast,” said UFC President Dana White. “He’s undefeated at 8-0 and has gotten better every time he’s fought.
He jumped at this opportunity to take on a top 10 fighter and legend like Lil’ Nog. Phil is one of our best up-and-coming fighters and he’s excited to step up and take this fight.”Davis’ opponent, the former Pan American Games bronze medalist in boxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu phenom, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is also considered a local since he has a residence in Mission Bay and assists his twin brother Antonio Rodrigio Nogueira in the running of their newest gym, the Black House Team Nogueira Gym on Miramar Road. “Lil Nog” (a nickname they use to differentiate the brothers) possesses one of the most dangerous arsenals in all of mixed martial arts. Since launching his career in Japan in 2001, Lil Nog has scored wins over some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Dan Henderson, Vladimir Matyushenko and Alistair Overeem.
Rogerio’s twin brother, Antonio Rodrigio Nogueira or “Minotauro” is the former Pride and UFC heavyweight champion. Over the past year Minotauro has been in and out of the hospital for one operation after another. First he had an ACL repaired, followed by a hip operation and now he’s planning to go for a second hip operation. Regardless, this warrior is still considered a top contender in the UFC heavyweight division.
Davis, who is 26-years-old and trained by Eric Del Fierro at the Alliance training Center in Chula Vista, reeled off four consecutive wins to start his UFC career. The four-time All-American wrestler from Penn State University is coming off an impressive submission win over Tim Boetsch in his last fight on November 20, 2010 at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI.
When questioned about his aspirations, a technique or any tactic, Davis, nicknamed “Mr. Wonderful,” will immediately turn into a showman and deliver some of the funniest one-liners you’ll ever hear. He told one interviewer: “My tactics…I’m a crazy person. You never know what a crazy person is going to do.”
I could see Phil Davis filling in for Arsenio Hall, but I doubt will ever see Hall stand-in for Davis.
His comrades believe he could easily MC a late night talk show, since his mannerisms and personality remind them of Arsenio Hall. In the octagon he shows no fear. Who else have you seen wearing pink shorts when entering the cage. Considered one of the top rising stars in the UFC, Davis will now be facing the toughest test of his career. There won’t be any clowning around when he stands toe to toe with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, one of the fiercest competitors in the sport.
The fight card also features welterweight battles pitting Dan Hardy vs. Anthony Johnson, Duane Ludwig vs. Amir Sadollah, plus the highly anticipated rematch between featherweights Leonard Garcia and Nam Phan.
UFC will broadcast the event live on Spike TV at 7 p.m. PCT.
