Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez slated for UFC 108

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While UFC 108 has been taking hit after hit due to injuries, illnesses, and everything in between, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s executives have been scrambling to fill in the blanks. With a rumored bout between  Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira and Cain Velasquez in the works, that void is starting to feel a little bit smaller.

Tatame.com reported earlier today that the two heavyweights are set to meet at the UFC’s Jan. 2 card. The report states that “Big Nog’s” manager confirmed the match up and the card it would be on.

Noguiera is coming off a tough fought decision victory over mixed martial arts and UFC legend Randy “The Natural” Couture at UFC 102. The originally speculation leaned towards a title fight for “Minotauro” in mid-2010. A win over Cain Velasquez would make Joe Silva have little choice in giving Nogueira a shot at the heavyweight belt.

Velasquez is coming off a brutal technical knockout over Ben Rothwell at UFC 104. The heavyweight is undefeated thus far in his young career and says he is ready for a title shot. Just as a win for “Big Nog” would land the Brazilian a title shot, a victory for Velasquez would undoubtedly give him one.

This fight is most likely being set up because Lesnar is still too sick to defend his belt against Shane Carwin at UFC 108, according to Heavy.com. A fight for the No. 1 contender spot certainly bolsters the card from its currently injured state.