Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has long been considered one of the most respected fighters not only in the UFC, but in all of mixed martial arts. He has been a champion under both the Pride FC and UFC banners.

Aside from his skills in the cage, Nogueira has also shown tremendous heart outside of it. He and his brother, Rogerio, created the “Nogueira Brothers Institute” in 2008 and has six operating centers that train underprivileged children in Brazil, using MMA as a social inclusion tool.

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Nogueira last fought, losing to Stefan Struve, at UFC 190 in August of last year. He has since retired, accepting a position as an Athlete Relations Ambassador for UFC Brazil. He was also inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July.

The honors haven't stopped there, as Nogueira was also one of the Brazilian athletes to carry the Olympic torch on their home turf at the Rio Olympics.

O @Minotauromma foi um dos condutores da tocha olímpica no Rio de Janeiro! pic.twitter.com/fMTl8Qm93K — UFC BRASIL (@ufc_brasil) August 4, 2016





(Photo courtesy of UFC Brazil)

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