Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Confident He Will Finish Dave Herman At UFC 153

Former interim UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will return to action for the first time since 2011 when he takes on Dave Herman Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar. After suffering a nasty arm injury in a loss to Frank Mir, Nogueira is anxious to step back inside the Octagon.

"I'm very happy to be back. My arm is healthy and I've rehabbed it so hard I think it is now stronger than my other arm," Nogueira said. "I had to work hard for so long to get my strength and power back, and I am so happy to be fighting in Rio."

Nogueira has only competed one other time in his native country of Brazil, delivering a stunning knockout of Brendan Schaub. "Minotauro" plans on using those deadly hands - or his equally strong submission skills - to finish Herman and delight the Brazilian faithful again.

"Dave Herman is a good wrestler, has great double-legs and is a big guy," Nogueira said. "He talks smack about (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) but he's not fought someone with submissions like me before. I will knock him out or submit him."

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