UFC: 42-year-old Antonio Rogerio Nogueira feels ‘confident’ ahead of Sam Alvey bout

MMA and UFC veteran Antonio Rogerio ‘Minotouro’ Nogueira (22-8 MMA, 5-5 UFC) returns to take on another veteran ‘Smilin’ Sam Alvey at Fight Night 137 on September 22 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Coming off a six-month USADA suspension,a back injury and being 1-3 in his last four fights, ‘Lil Nog’ has his back against the wall. However the 42-year-old still feels confident going into his fight against Alvey.

“Of course you feel your age,” Nogueira said. “Your recovery from training just isn’t the same. I think it’s important to have a goal. As long as you have a fighting chance, you soldier on. When you can’t train or perform well anymore, that’s when it’s time to rethink about what you’re doing and what’s happening to your body. I was away from a year and I came back in bad shape, but when I found my rhythm again, I felt like I was doing well in my training. They offered me a fight in Rio, but I declined it and accepted this one (Sam Alvey), and I’m doing better. I can go on.”