UFC 134 Fight Card: 5 Reasons Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Should Retire Tonight

In a matter of hours, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will square off with upstart heavyweight Brendan Schaub at UFC 134.

Is Big Nog, a loser in two of his last three, fighting for his job? Probably not. The sure-fire MMA hall of famer and former UFC and Pride heavyweight champion has earned a status lofty enough to grant him immunity from such things.

And yet, by the same token, no one is immune from time. That's why I think, win or lose tonight, Big Nog should hang it up.

There are those who feel that calls for Big Nog's retirement simply reveal a case of the What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Latelys, or are somehow disrespectful or ignorant of Nogueira's accomplishments. To those charges, I respond: horse biscuits.

Here are five reasons why I think it's time for Big Nog to call it a career.

5. He's Old

Not everyone can be Randy Couture. In fact, I'd posit that there's plenty of evidence suggesting that the number of fighters who can be Randy Couture is limited to Randy Couture.

After 40 professional fights, the mileage on Nogueira's body is apparent. He turned 35 in June, but he looks far older than that.

Innumerable days spent in the gym and the cage bending his limbs at sharp angles and taking beatings have, understandably, taken their toll. Here's a man who at UFC 134 will enter the Octagon for the first time in 18 months, after getting surgeries on his hip and both knees. How many 35-year-olds do you know need those kinds of procedures?

He says he is feeling better, which is great, considering that he said the simple act of bending down was painful before going under the knife. But at the same time, how is it realistic to think he could ever be anywhere near his old self again, considering that the simple act of bending down was painful before he went under the knife?

There's no reason for Big Nog to let the sport decide his departure time for him. It would be great to see him walk away before something happened that he couldn't walk away from.

4. He Has a Legacy to Think About

I know, I know—it's his legacy and he can do what he wants to with it. Nogueira doesn't know me, and didn't ask for my opinion.

But as a Nogueira fan, I think he would be well-served to consider leaving before he winds up taking a permanent blow to his legendary reputation.

Now, that's not to say he could somehow lose his legendary status. He can't. He is, and will always be, one of the greatest fighters in history. But the argument that not only should he keep fighting, but that anyone who says otherwise simply doesn't understand his career, is both glib and selfish.

Some of MMA's hardcore fans seem to have trouble seeing flaws in or letting go of fighters they think highly of. And that's fine...it's a fan's prerogative to root however he or she wishes.

But let's face facts: It's not 2002 anymore. He has looked very bad in his last two losses. His great victories from Pride and the UFC can never be tarnished, but they also have no bearing whatsoever on his ability to fight today.

Is a legendary career impossible to tarnish? Does it help you win fights?

Just ask Chuck Liddell, or Wanderlei Silva, or Mirko Cro Cop. Hell, ask Jerry Rice. Ask Michael Jordan. Nostalgia is not a usable skill.

3. He Deserves Better Than Gatekeeper Status

His crushing losses to Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez, which lasted nine minutes and 14 seconds combined, proved pretty definitively, in my mind, that he is no longer capable of competing at the top levels of the sport.

To see him become a target for up-and-coming trophy hunters like Schaub is frankly a little sad. He deserves better, and he has nothing left to prove.

Can Big Nog still fight? Yeah, probably. But the real question is: why?

2. He Can Coach

I would imagine Nogueira no longer needs the money. So if he's staying around for love of the sport, coaching would seem an ideal way to continue to channel that.

Charges currently studying with Black House Team Nogueira include Jose Aldo, Junior dos Santos, who has called Big Nog his idol, and Nogueira's best friend, some guy named Anderson Silva. His website says he works with children just trying to get in shape, all the way up the top levels of the sport.

Not a bad way to earn a buck.

1. He Can Go out in Front of His Countrymen

If he retires tonight at UFC 134, it's a no-lose situation. If he beats Schaub, he can go out on top. If he loses, he will still have the full-throated support of the capacity crowd in Rio de Janeiro, many of whom will probably realize how much sense the timing makes.

For Nogueira to be a part of the UFC's first event in Brazil in 13 years is to be part of this symbol of both the sport's exploding global popularity and its respect for its roots. And that is fitting, because this sport is standing in no small part on Nogueira's shoulders, particularly in his home country.

In some ways, fresh on the heels of a massive new TV deal and growth in all sectors, with UFC 134 the promotion is coming full circle. And it would be the most fitting of ends if Nogueira used this chance to bring his career full circle as well.

Here's one fan hoping he seizes the opportunity.

(Photo credit: Fight! Magazine)