UFC 134: Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera Motivated to Defeat Brendan Schaub in Brazil

Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira has had plenty of obstacles to overcome since his last fight in the UFC which include:

• Nog is entering his 41st professional fight after a 19 month layoff from the Octagon. 
• Nog is coming back from multiple hip surgeries in addition to having surgery to both knees.
• Nog is 35 years of age and there is ever-growing doubt from fans that say he cannot compete at the UFC level.
• Nog is facing increased pressure when he makes his return to his home country of Brazil for the UFC's initial show and amazingly, his first professional fight there.  

With all of the hurdles that has stood in front of him, the man simply referred to as "Big Nog" has cleared every obstacle in order to compete in Brazil. Nogueira has prepared himself mentally and physically for the upcoming battle at UFC 134 against one of the fastest rising heavyweights, "The Hybrid" Brendan Schaub. 

Since having his successful surgeries, Big Nog appears more flexible and faster than he has in recent memory. The layoff he endured can only help his body recover from all of the injuries and wars that he has been through in his career. 

Add to the fact that Big Nog wants to make a statement to everyone in the UFC by defeating Brendan Schaub, proving that he still belongs among the top heavyweights in the world. Nog can also use the momentum from a decisive victory and turn it into another title run given the state the heavyweight division is in.

Nogueira has certainly put in the work for this fight and is well prepared thanks to his training camp has featured fighters such as Anderson Silva, Ronaldo Souza, Rafael Cavalcante, Junior dos Santos, Antonio Silva, Pedro Rizza, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Mario Sperry, Thiago Jambo, Erick Silva, and Josh Janousek.

Having sparring partners of that caliber only increase your odds of winning and the addition of Antonio Silva along with Junior dos Santos are exactly the style of fighter that Nogueira needs in preparation for Brendan Schaub.

The real question comes down to if Nogueira has the fight left in him to compete at the level he expects of himself. Nogueira has had a light work schedule over the past years, competing in only two fights since 2009 where he split the results in his fights, winning against Randy Couture and losing to Cain Velasquez via knockout.

Though most spectators wouldn't include Brendan Schaub to be on the level with either Couture or Velasquez, Schaub is a hard hitting opponent that has knocked off Gabriel Gonzaga and Mirko Cro Cop in his last two contests. Schaub holds a record of 8-1 with seven knockout victories.

The chin of Nogueira used to be made of some iron/titanium concoction but has been in question since his stoppage losses to Frank Mir and most recently Cain Velasquez. There is opportunity for Schaub to add to his growing list of victims but Nogueira is poised to prevent that from happening.

The former Pride and UFC Heavyweight Champion isn't impressed by Brendan Schaub, according to an interview with Fight Network.

Here is what appears to be true and advantageous for "Minotauro"

• Nogueira has Schaub very well-scouted
• Nogueira is having a great training camp in preparation for Schaub
• Nogueira is healthier than he has been for years
• Nogueira is more well-rounded
• Nogueira has the experience factor 
• Nogueira is extremely motivated and proud to fight in front of his home country for the first time

Come August 27th, 2011 there will be a defining moment in the careers of both Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Brendan Schaub with the winner positioning himself for a title run.

Does Minotauro Nogueira have what it takes to fight off the challenge from Brendan Schaub or will Schaub add to his list of legendary warriors that have fallen to "The Hybrid".

Who do you see winning this match-up at UFC 134?