"Minotoro" Nogueira Already Training After Ankle Injury, Wants UFC Debut ASAP

Freshly inked UFC light heavyweight “Minotoro” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (15-3) is already back in the gym after a dubious ankle injury that allowed him gracefully out of his promise to Amaury Bitetti (5-2), promoter of the Bitetti Combat card in Rio de Janeiro 12 September.

“Minotoro” is the twin brother of Fighters.com’s fifth-ranked heavyweight and former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-5-1).

Li’l Nog’ was scheduled to fight “Brazilian Killa” Alex Stiebling (19-10-1), but bailed on the fight with an ankle injury and amid speculation he’d sign with the UFC.

He has been replaced at Bitetti Combat by “Ninja” Murilo Rua (16-10-1) and since been confirmed as a UFC fighter by UFC President Dana White.

Nogueira’s management told Fighters.com Sunday they don’t yet have an opponent, but hope “Minotoro” will fight as soon as possible.

Fighters.com speculates he’ll debut in the Octagon at the recently announced third November event on the 21st headlined by a title fight between UFC lightweight champ “Prodigy” B.J. Penn (14-5-1) and “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-2).