Born in the town of Vitria da Conquista, Brazil, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira aka Big Nog, started training in judo at the age of five. He was run over by a truck when he was eleven, and fell into a coma for four days. During this time he lost a rib and part of his liver and had to be hospitalized for eleven months. As a result of the accident he has a large scar, including a noticeable indentation, on his lower back. A few years after his MMA debut he started to train at the Brazilian Top Team. In June 2007 Nogueira officially left Brazilian Top Team prior to his UFC debut and is currently associated with Black House.