UFC 110 Preview: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez

Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira (32-5-1, 1 NC, 3-1 UFC) vs. Cain Velasquez (7-0-0. 5-0 UFC)

The Story So Far

The grizzled veteran versus the young bull.

The decorated champion looking to make one last run at the title takes on the unbeaten young fighter many have pegged as the future of the division.

The former champ faces the future champ.

However you want to word it, this is the old guard battling the new guard and it's going to tell us a lot about both fighters. It also serves as the "alternate match" for a future title bout against Brock Lesnar, as the winner of this war will be looked to in the event of an injury sidelining the winner of the UFC 111 Interim Heavyweight title bout between Shane Carwin and Frank Mir.

Conventional Wisdom

As stated above, this is a bout that will reveal a great deal about each fighter.

For Nogueira, he steps up to face a younger, stronger, faster challenger and show the world that he still has what it takes to make a run at the UFC Heavyweight belt. While his performance against Randy Couture was excellent, many detractors question whether "Minotauro" can deliver the same type of fight against someone like Velasquez.

Similar questions surround the American Kickboxing Academy heavyweight, as Nogueira is easily the toughest challenge of Velasquez's career and has the savvy and skills to put an end to the former Arizona State Sun Devil's unbeaten streak.

From a style standpoint, this bout is quite intriguing. Velasquez has shown the ability to bring opponents to the ground and pound out victories, but he's yet to deliver that one knockout blow to stop a fight.

Of course, Nogueira has shown over his illustrious career that he, for lack of a better phrase, just won't die. Tim Sylvia pounded on him for two and a half rounds, and in the end, "Minotauro" baited Big Tim, sunk in a slick guillotine and walked away with the Interim Heavyweight title.

WKR Analysis

Much of Velasquez's game centers around his tremendous wrestling base. He drags opponents to the ground, drops bombs and walks away with wins. Lather, rinse, repeat. Outside of Brock Lesnar, there isn't a more gifted athlete in the heavyweight division, and Velasquez's cardio is off the charts.

Nogueira offers serious concerns on the ground, with both his high level jiu jitsu and his penchant for taking punishment. And he's no slouch standing either. His boxing is technically perfect and fundamentally sound, and while he may not have the power to rock Velasquez the way Cheick Kongo did, he's sound enough to stick the jab in Cain's face over and over.

What is most interesting about this fight (at least to me) is that unlike some bouts, this one really won't be done until the ref is waving it off or the final bell has sounded.

Velasquez could come out swinging and pummel Nogueira for ten or twelve minutes, but if he gives "Minotauro" an opening, he could get caught. Conversely, Nogueira could stick the job, stuff the takedown and look like a million bucks, yet one big punch or one successful takedown could turn the tides in an instant.

Fun Facts

Nogueira has faced some of the most decorated heavyweights in the history of the sport: Fedor, Couture, Mir, Barnett, Cro Cop - the list goes on.

Velasquez has faced Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo.

Despite the discrepancy in terms of experience and opponents, this is a major match-up for both fighters.

Also, according to Wikipedia Cain Velasquez appeared in Wisin & Yandel's official music video of "Te Siento" though WKR never saw him..