UFC veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira delivered a powerful knockout performance in his return to the boxing ring.
At 48 years old, Nogueira proved his age is just a number with an impressive comeback to combat sports after three years away.
Nogueira faced Brazilian influencer and bodybuilder Fabio Tadalafellas at Fight Music Show 6 in Sao Paulo on Saturday. This was Nogueira`s first exhibition boxing bout since a unanimous decision win in January 2022, following the conclusion of his UFC career with a loss to Shogun Rua in July 2020.
Despite mixed results towards the end of his active fighting career, Nogueira remains a formidable figure as he nears 50. The competitive spirit that made him a PRIDE icon is clearly still present, as demonstrated against Tadalafellas this past weekend.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Knocks Out Brazilian Influencer in Exhibition Boxing
Nogueira and Tadalafellas met in the co-main event of Fight Music Show 6, which featured Acelino Freitas vs. Duda Nagle in the headliner. After a quiet first round between Nogueira and Tadalafellas, “Minotauro” quickly ramped up the intensity in the second round.
Nogueira immediately began pressing Tadalafellas back, cornering him against the ropes. The influencer appeared overwhelmed by the MMA legend`s relentless advance. After staggering Tadalafellas with a right hand, Nogueira landed a decisive left hook to the chin, sending his opponent crashing to the canvas for the knockout.
With this win, Nogueira improves his exhibition boxing record to 2-0, having previously beaten Leonardo Guimaraes by unanimous decision at Fight Music Show 1. His last competitive victory in combat sports before this came against Sam Alvey in September 2018.
This also marks Nogueira`s first finish since the Alvey fight. He concluded his UFC run alternating wins and losses, having notably defeated fighters like Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz during his time with the promotion.
Jack Thornley