In case you missed the news headlines, our very own Rodrigo Nogueira was inducted last month into the UFC Hall of Fame. We’d like to share with you a bit more information about this fantastic achievement, and why it demonstrates Team Nogueira Dubai is the leading martial arts academy in the region.

The Greatest Submission Specialist

The only fighter to win world titles in both the UFC Octagon and PRIDE FC ring, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira has been called the greatest submission specialist in the history of the heavyweight division. A master of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA, “Big Nog” is also impossibly courageous, beating the finest heavyweights in the ring or cage through sheer tough-mindedness.

Upon declaring his retirement in September 2015, Nogueira was named as the UFC Brazil Athlete Relations Ambassador for his continued work throughout the country. With a fighting career spanning 15 years, Rodrigo had one of the most successful careers in MMA history. After his first professional fight in 1999, he rose to prominence in Japan with PRIDE Fighting Championship, becoming a two-time champion and capturing the organisation’s first-ever heavyweight title in 2001.

Following these successes, Nogueira continued his dominance by defeating Tim Sylvia at UFC 81 for the interim UFC heavyweight championship. Nogueira finished his career with an impressive 34-10-1 record, along with a reputation as one of the greatest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu artists alive, as evidenced by his 22 submission victories.

Olympian MMA Achievements

Nogueira will go down in history as one of the world’s finest sporting competitors, and he recently had the honour to carry the Olympic Torch in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro prior to the start of the 31st Olympics, which began on August 5th 2016. Nogueira, seen below carrying the torch, represents the true ideals of Olympic success, notching wins against Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett, Mirko Filipovic, as well as fellow UFC hall of famers Randy Couture and Mark Coleman in his storied career.

It was revealed earlier this year that Nogueira would be joining an elite club of fighting heroes.“I’m really excited to announce Minotauro Nogueira as the first inductee of the 2016 UFC Hall of Fame class,” said UFC President Dana White. “Big Nog is a mixed martial arts legend and, as an icon of the sport, we couldn’t think of a more fitting platform to make this announcement then at the record-breaking stadium event in Brazil. Nogueira is a true pioneer.”

A First for the UAE, Middle East, Asia and Europe

This recognition is another first for TND in the region, and serves to highlight the heritage and experience that our club brings to the city of Dubai and the wider region. The Nogueira brothers first conceptualised the Team Nogueira academies with the intention of teaching the highest standards of martial arts, and since then, our athletes have gone on to compete in UFC, Bellator and Jungle Fight, as well as other major international events. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA on offer at Team Nogueira Dubai.

Since its founding TND has represented the best of the best in the region, with a proven track record and a roster of world-class coaches and competitors that are taking the development of martial arts in the Middle East to the next level and beyond. We’re very proud of Minotauro and all our members who continue to prove that Team Nogueira Dubai truly is where the best in the world come to train!