Nogueira’s Doc Opts Against Arm Surgery After Break at UFC 140

Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira will not undergo surgery on his right arm, which was broken by a Frank Mir kimura last Saturday at UFC 140 in Toronto.

Nogueira’s twin and fellow UFC fighter Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira shared news of his brother’s condition Monday on Twitter after a consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Itamura in Los Angeles.

“We’ve just had a medical diagnosis,” wrote Minotoro. “[Dr. Itamura] said he would prefer not to do surgery, that [the bone] will calcify by itself and that in five months, he’s fighting again.”

UFC officials referred Nogueira to Dr. Itamura, who prescribed twice-a-day ultrasound therapy and fitted “Big Nog” with a brace. The plastic accessory will allow Nogueira to move his arm, something the pure plaster of a hard cast would not. Long regarded as one of MMA’s finest grapplers, Nogueira’s submission defeat against Mir marked the first such loss of the Brazilian’s 42-fight career.

In August, 35-year-old returned from an 18-month layoff brought on by hip and knee surgeries to knock out prospect Brendan Schaub.

This item was updated at 9:46 p.m. ET to clarify that Dr. Itamura advised against surgery. Pictured: X-ray of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s right arm released Saturday by the UFC on Twitter.