“I was in a coma for a long time and in and out of the hospital for a year. For sure, when I'm in a fight and having a hard time, I think back to that time because that was the worst. No matter how bad things are, my attitude is that it's nothing compared to what happened then. Thank God I survived it.”

Brazilian retired mixed martial artist

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, known as Minotauro or Big Nog, is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist. He competed in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. Nogueira first rose to prominence in Japan, winning the 2000 RINGS King of Kings tournament in Fighting Network RINGS. He later became the first Pride Heavyweight Champion, holding that title from November 2001 to March 2003, and was a 2004 PRIDE FC Heavyweight Grand Prix finalist. He is one of only three fighters to have held championship titles in both Pride Fighting Championships and the UFC.