Stefan Struve outlasts ‘Big Nog’ in back-and-forth UFC 190 slugfest

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira suffered another disheartening defeat at UFC 190 on Saturday night against 7-foot striker Stefan Struve.

Nogueira, 39, is one of the most beloved fighters to ever compete in the sport of mixed martial arts. He is a former PRIDE FC and UFC heavyweight champion, and a true pioneer. Unfortunately, after Saturday’s unanimous decision loss at the hands of “Skyscraper,” Nogueira finds himself 1-4 in his last five fights, and the end could be closing in on the Brazilian legend.

Round 1 opened with Nogueira quickly acquiring a clinch on Struve. This is obviously where the jiu-jitsu black-belt wanted to be, but it’s also where Struve had spent the majority of his time preparing.

Struve, 27, would quickly break from the clinch and deliver stiff jabs and low kicks to the legs of the aging Brazilian. And this formula would continue into the later rounds.

Nogueira had his best moment come midway through the second round, when he took Struve’s back during a scramble. He even managed to sink his forearm under Struve’s chin and work a rear-naked choke. However, Struve escaped rather easily, and Nogueira ended up in full mount. That didn’t last either, and Struve was quickly back to his feet delivering punishment.

The final scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 and Struve ended a two-fight skid in the process. This is great news for Struve, who battled a nasty heart condition that previously had endangered his career.