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Former interim UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is ready to get back inside the Octagon.

After having a bout with Cheick Kongo scrapped because of complications from an arm injury suffered at the hands of Frank Mir, “Minotauro” is now all set and 100-percent ready to fight again.

“I am feeling good, very strong on the arm and ready to go,” said Nogueira, during a conference call for UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar Thursday. “I am hungry to fight. I have been asking the UFC to fight, now I got a chance to fight in Brazil.”

Nogueira (33-7-1) will meet Dave Herman in the co-main event. The card was forced to undergo drastic changes after injuries hit it hard, and Nogueira agreed to step in and face Herman to fill the void.

The opportunity to fight in his native country of Brazil – the card goes down October 13 from Rio de Janeiro – was one Nogueira couldn’t pass over. Despite being a fighter for many years, he has only competed once in Brazil. Last year, Nogueira knocked out Brendan Schaub in his first pro fight in the country.

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Yahoo! Sports

Hey, it’s in Portuguese, but Nog has plenty to say. After all, it has been 10 months since we’ve got to see him fight. He’s lined up to fight at UFC 153 on October 13th against Dave Herman.

The UFC didn’t take long to piece together UFC 153, as UFC president Dana White confirmed with USA Today on Wednesday that the main and co-min event are once again intact.

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will return to the 205-pound division to take on Stephan Bonnar, while Glover Teixeira meets Fabio Maldonado in the co-main event.

UFC 153 goes down October 13 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On Tuesday, both UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson informed the UFC they would not be able to compete on the card. Frankie Edgar, Aldo’s scheduled opponent, will be re-booked for later this year.

Silva (32-4) offered to step up and compete at UFC 151 after that main event fell through, and White said he was willing to do the same for the UFC again.

We’re back on track. Anderson Silva wasn’t scheduled to fight at all. I called him today, and he’s hooting a commercial in Brazil. Anderson Silva steps up, and Stephan Bonnar wants to fight him. The Teixeira-Maldonado fight comes together, and then (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira was standing right there with Anderson shooting the commercial with him, and he said he wanted to fight, too.

Nogueira will meet Dave Herman in another main card affair. The event has also lost a scheduled match between Vitor Belfort and Alan Belcher.

This is old-school UFC. A card is in jeopardy, but guys that are world champions and superstars stepped up and jumped in and saved the card. This is why the fans love this sport and why we went on a 12-year run without canceling an event.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is slated to return to action at UFC 153 this October against Dave Herman, according to Brazilian reporter Guilherme Cruz of Tatame.

Nogueira (33-10-1) has been out of action since suffering a broken arm against Frank Mir in 2011. He was set to face Cheick Kongo earlier this year, but issues with his arm caused an exit from the fight.

“I put myself at the disposal of UFC Rio 3 (UFC 153),” Nogueira posted on Twitter. “I’m waiting for confirmation of the president’s (Dana White) event. Come on guys!”

Herman (21-4) will be facing his third tough heavyweight opponent in Nogueira. He has lost two straight fights to Roy Nelson and Stefan Struve.

Roy Nelson made quick work of Dave Herman in their heavyweight contest at UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir last month. Now, the former winner of The Ultimate Fighter wants to continue bringing home the bacon.

“I just want a money fight,” said Nelson, in a recent interview with Sherdog’s “Beatdown” radio show. “But if not, I’ve always wanted to fight (Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira).”

Nogueira and Cheick Kongo are slated to square off at UFC 149 on July 21, and “Big Country” feels like the winner of that would be a perfect opponent for himself.

“I’d love that fight,” Nelson said. “Of course, (Junior dos Santos), Frank (Mir); there’s so many out there. If you’re in the UFC, you’re the best in the world.”

Nelson (17-7) has went the distance with both dos Santos, the current UFC heavyweight champion, and Mir, a two-time former holder of the belt. He lost both matches.

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/CombatLifestyle.com

Cain Velasquez could join his American Kickboxing Academy teammate, Daniel Cormier, on the sidelines with a hand injury.

The medical suspensions for this past Saturday’s UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir event have been reported by MMA Junkie’s Steven Marrocco. The results were confirmed by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Velasquez, a winner over Antonio Silva in the co-main event, will need to have an X-ray on his left hand to find out of it is broken. The former UFC heavyweight champion could be suspended until November if it requires surgery.

UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, who defeated Frank Mir, was on issued any suspension. Mir was handed a short suspension for his efforts.

UFC 146: DOS SANTOS VS. MIR MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS

Cain Velasquez: Needs X-ray of left hand. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Antonio Silva: Needs X-ray of nose. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by an ear, nose and throat doctor. Suspended at minimum until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for lacerations

Jamie Varner: Needs X-ray of right hand. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Jason Miller: Needs clearance of right thumb and left knee by orthopedist or sports doctor or suspended until November 20. Suspended at minimum until July 11 with no contact until June 26 for tough fight

C.B. Dollaway: Needs X-ray of left thumb. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Jacob Volkmann: Needs clearance of left elbow clearance of right thumb and left knee by orthopedist or suspended until November 20

Frank Mir: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Dave Herman: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Shane Del Rosario: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Duane Ludwig: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Lavar Johnson: Needs evaluation of left elbow by orthopedist. Suspended at minimum until July 11 with no contact until June 26

Edson Barboza: Suspended until July 11 with no contact until June 26 for TKO loss

Stipe Miocic: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Darren Elkins: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for left ear hematoma

Diego Brandao: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for tough fight

Mike Brown: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for left forehead laceration

Daniel Pineda: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for tough fight

A trio of fighters who have all wore or currently wear the UFC heavyweight title earned $200,000 for their efforts over the weekend at UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir.

UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir each earned flat-rate $200,000 payments, while Cain Velasquez racked up $200,000 thanks to a win bonus of $100,000.

The numbers, which do not include any bonuses other than the win bonuses or sponsorship payments, were confirmed with the Nevada Athletic Commission by MMA Junkie’s website.

UFC 146: DOS SANTOS VS. MIR FIGHTER SALARIES

Junior Dos Santos: $200,000 (no win bonus)
def. Frank Mir: $200,000

Cain Velasquez: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
def. Antonio Silva: $70,000

Roy Nelson: $40,000 (includes $20,00 win bonus)
def. Dave Herman: $21,000

Stipe Miocic: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Shane Del Rosario: $20,000

Stefan Struve: $58,000 (includes $29,000 win bonus)
def. Lavar Johnson: $26,000

Darren Elkins: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
def. Diego Brandao: $15,000

Jamie Varner: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Edson Barboza: $18,000

C.B. Dollaway: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller: $45,000

Dan Hardy: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
def. Duane “Bang” Ludwig: $18,000

Paul Sass: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Jacob Volkmann: $20,000

Glover Teixeira: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Kyle Kingsbury: $12,000

Mike Brown: $52,000 (includes $26,000 win bonus)
def. Daniel Pineda: $10,000

After the heavyweight UFC 146 delivered in a HUGE way, it’s time I deliver my look at what’s next for the 10 heavyweight competitors from Saturday’s pay-per-view event. I won’t mince words, let’s just get to it.

-Junior dos Santos looked as impressive as he ever has inside the octagon on Saturday night. After making very short work of Frank Mir, as was expected, Junior gets a hero’s welcome in Brazil, some time off, and a year-end date with the man who dropped the belt to him on FOX; Cain Velasquez.

-If Frank Mir can take one thing from his loss to Junior, it’s that he stepped up and took the toughest possible fight in the division, and showed no fear at any point. While he may have been outclassed, he didn’t go down without a fight, and Mir can still be a serious problem for anybody in the UFC. If the stars align as some would suggest, a rubber match with Brock Lesnar could do big business near the end of 2012. If not, Werdum vs. Mir is an amazing fight.

-Cain Velasquez looked like an absolute monster against Antonio Silva. I had little hope for “Bigfoot”, but that was just as one-sided of a beatdown as they come. Hopefully after he delivers all that blood to the Red Cross, Cain can get the gym and prepare for his rematch with Junior dos Santos. If both men can enter the cage at 100%, this really could be the best heavyweight bout of all time.

-Speaking of Bigfoot Silva, I’d like to see him work on his wrestling, as he has the striking and BJJ to hang with the elite in the UFC’s heavyweight division. While style-wise, it may not benefit him, a returning Shane Carwin could poise an interesting challenge for the Strikeforce import, and vice versa.

-Roy Nelson looked awesome in his three punch victory over Dave Herman. A big fat bonus, a highlight reel knockout, and a few more fights under the ZUFFA banner are now his, and I think he gets a long-awaited rematch with the last man to defeat Roy, albeit controversially, in the IFL, Big Ben Rothwell.

-Dave Herman has hit hard times. I still think he’s one of the best heavyweights in MMA, but he just doesn’t take any aspect of the fight game seriously enough to make a big impact. Don’t be surprised if he appears on an FX or FUEL TV card taking on Philip de Fries or someone who holds a similar ranking.

-Stipe Miocic showed how important conditioning is, weathering an early storm en route to an impressive and violent victory. I could see him taking on Struve in the near future, as it would signal a slight step up in competition. If not Struve, throw a dart at a list of heavyweights and make it happen. I’ll watch Miocic fight anyone, any time.

-Shane del Rosario looked damn impressive for about five minutes. There is no shame in losing to Stipe Miocic at all, he’s a legit prospect and will do huge things in the future. I have no reason to think del Rosario won’t do the same with his always improving skillset, which he will demonstrate against Pat Barry, Gabriel Gonzaga, or some other mid-tier heavyweight.

-Stefan Struve did what many expected. A quick guard pull, a quick submission, and a big fat paycheck. I’d like to see him matched up once again with Mark Hunt, as I still think that is a very interesting match-up, but if Hunt is out for an extended period of time, Miocic vs. Struve is still a very intriguing fight.

-Ideally, Lavar Johnson needs to continue to be matched up with strikers that possess absolutely no ground game. I don’t imagine favorable matchmaking will follow him around throughout his entire UFC career, but the UFC wants fireworks. Match him up with Cheick Kongo after Nog beats him, or, if you must, Christian Morecraft.

I’ve played my hand at fantasy matchmaking, and now I pass the buck to all of you. What matches should be made following UFC 146?

Fight video highlights from the UFC 146 main card bouts — Junior dos Santos vs. Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva, Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman, Stipe Miocic vs. Shane del Roasario and Lavar Johnson vs. Stefan Struve.

Videos via the UFC and FOX Sports.

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Roy “Big Country” Nelson threw just three punches Saturday night, but that was enough to drop Dave Herman and return Nelson to the pay window at UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir.

UFC president Dana White admitted on the post-fight show on FUEL TV that he and Lorenzo Fertitta had a conversation with Nelson about his recent performances earlier. Following the win, Nelson made sure to let the bosses know how he felt.

“I don’t know if you noticed after the fight, he came over and pointed and me and yelled some shit at Lorenzo,” White said. “We had a pretty tough conversation with Roy a few weeks ago. I think he came out and made a statement and wanted to shove that right up mine and Lorenzo’s asses, and I accept it.”

Nelson has won two of his last three, but was stopped by Fabricio Werdum in his previous bout. He’s never turned down the chance to test his skills against some of the best heavyweights in the world, including two-time champion Frank Mir.

“I’ve surrounded myself with good people,” Nelson said. “You try to invest in yourself with good people. I like to throw one punch in a fight, but I can live with three.”

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/Combatlifestyle.com