The UFC announced Tuesday at a press conference in Brazil that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has retired as a fighter and has taken an Athlete Relations Ambassador position in UFC Brazil.
Nogueira, the first holder of the Pride world heavyweight championship and who also held the UFC interim heavyweight title, will serve as a liaison for the promotion between athletes, sponsors, media and governing bodies, as well as act as a mentor in developing young athletes. He will also serve as a scout for UFC in looking for new fighters in Brazil.
Nogueira and his brother, current UFC fighter Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, own a chain of Team Nogueira gyms that have 33 locations worldwide with more than 10,000 total students.