At UFC Sao Paulo, Brazilian legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, better known as Little Nog, turned back the clock and finished the heavy handed Sam Alvey.
Sam Alvey’s light heavyweight journey continued on Saturday night at UFC Sao Paulo in Brazil. Having won his first two bouts in the weight class and loving the lack of a daunting weight cut, Alvey this time took on Brazilian legend ‘Little Nog’ — Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Nogueira, 42, was just 1-3 in his past four fights, but had been fighting some of the best competition in the light heavyweight division despite being on the downside of his career.
Smilin’ Sam was on the outside to start this one, a common sight in Alvey fights. Nogueira walked him down, and immediately ate a counter left. Alvey then walked forward, landing a leg kick. The patient, measured approach continued with Little Nog moving in, trapping Alvey and connecting. A good flurry from the Brazilian legend. Alvey pressed back, added a leg kick, but an eye poke held things up a moment as Alvey recovered. Back underway it was Nogueira adding a leg kick. Avey’s low kicks, however, were more effective when he was landing them. Nogueira went to the body with a punch. Alvey landed a right jab. Nogueira moved in, perhaps thinking of standing and trading, then thought better of it. He continued to walk Alvey down, but ate a big left hand with just over thirty seconds in the round. That sent Nogueira circling out of harm’s way. Alvey came in with another left, and both men took a swing or two to finish the round.
The second once again had Nogueira moving in, taking huge overhand swings. Left after left, and a number of them hit home. Alvey was hurt after being clipped a few times, and the pair began to stand and bang. Alvey got on his bike, jogging out of harm’s way, only for Nogueira to follow and rock him! Alvey dropped to his knees, legs buckling under him. Nogueira added a few follow-up blows as the ref waved it off! Nogueira had turned back the clock!
L'il Nog is back! @MinotouroMMA stops Alvey at #UFCSP! pic.twitter.com/B0aSJ1xqP4
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) September 23, 2018
Saying he’d done it for the fans following the fight, Nogueira cited back problems as part of the reason for his struggles to fight more often. Yet in his early forties, he certainly didn’t rule out continuing on in his career, so you can expect to see Little Nog again.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Sam Alvey by knockout, Round 2, 1:00
