R.Minotauro (photo) intends to fight again in early 2014. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Rodrigo Minotauro revealed that he has already started negotiations for his next fight in the UFC. Away from fighting since June, when he lost to Fabricio Werdum, the former heavyweight champion is in talks with the organization to return to the octagon in mid-April, in an event that has no defined location.
In an interview with the SUPER FIGHTS During an event at the Team Nogueira branch in Londrina (PR), Minotauro reaffirmed his intentions to face Roy Nelson on your return. However, the athlete said that his opponent has not yet been defined. “I don’t even have that much Roy Nelson in sight, but I think he would be a possible challenger for my return. But, in the end, the UFC decides the opponent,” he commented.
In his defeat to Werdum, Minotauro tore his elbow ligament in the arm lock applied by the gaucho. After undergoing surgery on site, the leader of Team Nogueira said that, little by little, he is returning to his old training rhythm. “My arm is still a little swollen, but it’s better now. I'm doing physiotherapy, but my training schedule doesn't start until January. I haven't started training hard yet. I’m training, but not at the competition pace,” he declared.
Minotauro admitted that his recent injuries and surgeries forced him to change his fighting style. “I can't do as many guard positions because of my hip surgeries, so that gets in the way. But I gained weight and have more strength in my striking strikes. In my last fights I lost on the ground, but I was better on the feet”, he assessed.
During his recovery time, Minotauro takes the opportunity to dedicate himself to Team Nogueira franchises spread across Brazil. “We have opened 17 gyms and there are more than 20 franchises to be opened. So, with so many franchises, I can't stop to train. I open all the gyms, I provide training, we train all the teachers... So, until January, I'm going to dedicate myself to this, because I wouldn't be able to dedicate myself 100% to my training”, stated the fighter.
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