Stefan Struve Outstrikes Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira For Decision Win in Brazil
The second heavyweight fight on the UFC 190 card saw a top 15 265-pounder looking to shoot up the rankings when he faced a mixed martial arts (MMA) legend looking to return to his glory days. Stefan Struve (26-7) stood inside the Octagon with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (34-10-1, 1 NC) in Brazil.
Both “Skyscraper” and “Minotauro” fell short in their last two bouts. Struve suffered knockout losses to Mark Hunt and Alistar Overeem. Nogueira was on the receiving end of a submission loss at the hands of current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight title holder Fabricio Werdum and a knockout loss courtesy of Roy Nelson.
Round one got started and Nogueira connected with a left hook and got hold of a clinch on Struve right away. They exchanged reversals against the fence with “Minotauro” maintaing the position more consistently. Nogueira dropped down for a single leg takedown, but couldn’t get it. “Skyscraper” pelted Nogueira on the jaw, but the Brazilian was able to recover. Struve connected with a right hand and Nogueira clinched his opponent.
Struve threw a high hick and landed a knee to the body. Struve connected with a stiff leg kick. Nogueira landed some punches and once again fought his way in the clinch. They broke and Struve landed a knee to the body. They exchanged punches. The round ended with a right hand courtesy of the “Skyscraper.”
At the start of round two, Struve attacked the legs of the Brazilian with kicks. Nogueira landed punches as Struve got in a clinch position. “”Minotauro” dragged Struve down and went for a rear-naked choke. Struve got out of it and escaped full mount with a heel hook attempt. The action resumed standing and Struve landed an uppercut.
Nogueira ducked under, but couldn’t complete a takedown. He pressed Struve against the fence, but Struve wobbled him with an uppercut on the break. “Skyscraper” threw out some jabs and push kicks. “Minotauro” connected with a left hand to the body. Struve whiffed an uppercut and a hook. The round came to a close with both men fighting in the clinch.
The final round commenced and Struve went for a head kick. Nogueira got the takedown briefly as Struve popped back up. “Skyscraper” grazed his opponent with a knee to the body. Nogueira popped Struve with a right hand to the jaw. Struve stepped in with a knee to the body. “Skyscraper” pelted the lead leg of “Minotauro” with a kick. Like the first two rounds, Struve’s back was against the fence.
Struve threw a hard head kick that was partially blocked, but Nogueira wasn’t fazed. Struve landed elbows to the head of “Minotauro” as he attempted a takedown. “Skyscraper” turned up the pressure with kicks and jabs. Struve and “Minotauro” exchanged some shots and the final horn signified the end of the fight.
When the score totals were read, it was revealed that all three judges gave the nod to the “Skyscraper.”
Final Result: Stefan Struve def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
