UFC
UFC NEWS: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to undergo second hip surgery; hopeful for return in August at UFC Rio
Jan 20, 2011 - 9:10:42 AM UFC NEWS: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to undergo second hip surgery; hopeful for return in August at UFC Rio

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira hasn't fought since a knockout loss to Cain Velasquez last February, and as he approaches a year out of action he's not any closer to returning.

A proposed bout with Frank Mir at UFC 119 last fall fell through when Nogueira was forced out with knee and hip injuries, both of which he's since had surgery on. Now, his manager Ed Soares says he's scheduled for surgery on his hip yet again.

"He first had his knee surgery and then he had his hip surgery. He's still rehabbing his knee and he's rehabbing his hip at the same time," said Soares in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. "He's probably going to go in and have his other hip surgery in mid-February."

But while continued rehab still remains in his immediate future, Soares says Nogueira is ultimately hoping for a return this August on the UFC's return trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"His ultimate goal, he'd really like to fight on the Brazil card," Soares said. "He thinks he'd be ready to fight on that Rio card. If he could fight there, I think he'd be a big draw down there. He's a huge legend down there. In a perfect world, he would love to fight in Rio."

Nogueira isn't alone in wanting to compete on that UFC Rio card on August 27, as there has been no shortage of Brazilian fighters voicing their desire to fight at the event. But if he can make a return to action by then, the 34-year-old would be very likely to get a spot on the card.

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Penick's Analysis: Nogueira has put years on his body well beyond his age throughout his fight career, and it's unfortunate that these more serious injuries have hit him recently. Making a successful return isn't out of the question, and he's still quite young, but he has fought a lengthy and brutal career already. Hopefully his surgery is a success next month and he'll be able to return by August, because he can still bring entertainment and excitement to fans, and against the right opponents can definitely still pick up some wins.

[Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]