Breaking news just released that Nate Marquardt has been released by the UFC.
According to UFC President Dana White, Marquardt not only failed his medicals, he (adding insult to injury), “is out of this fight, and out of the main event on Versus, (and) he will no longer be with the UFC.”
It’s an extremely dire career ending consequence for Marquardt’s failure to make the 170-pound weight ceiling. More news will be released as to the exact details regarding the release of the former “King of Pancrase.”
As more information is released regarding Marquardt’s future as a mixed martial artist, the future of Rick Story is also affected by Dana White’s decision.
Rick “The Horror” Story has been riding a tremendous wave of momentum. With victories in six of his last seven fights, the expectation by Story’s camp with a victory over Marquardt would have been a future title shot against UFC welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre.
UFC 130 in May of 2011 introduced “The Horror” to the masses of fight fans as Story dominated the very popular and extremely talented Thiago Alves.
Utilizing his wrestling background, dirty boxing skills, and a solid chin, Story captured a unanimous decision victory over the one-time Brazilian championship title contender.
With Marquardt’s release, Story will now face Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman.
Brenneman, a career 13-2 fighter, debuted in the UFC in 2010.
A solid fighter with an exceptional wrestling pedigree, “The Spaniard” is working diligently to balance out his skill-set inside the Octagon.
No disrespect to Charlie Brenneman, but a victory over “The Spaniard” does not carry the same leverage as a victory over Nate Marquardt.
Additionally, the development of Rick Story’s overall fight game will not be on stage tomorrow evening.
The necessary talent to defeat the experience, skill-set, and overall talent of a Nate Marquardt may not be equally necessary to defeat a Charlie Brenneman.
In short, the skills portrayed by Story in his fight with Thiago Alves should defeat Brenneman.
His game plan will be similar to that during his victory over Alves. Successful takedowns, dirty boxing, and an aggressive pace should secure a victory for Story.
I commend Brenneman for accepting this fight on late notice. And I also commend Story for fulfilling his expectations for this main event matchup at UFC Live 4 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In the end, however, the inability of Nate Marquardt to make the necessary weight has not only cost “The Great” his career with the UFC, a victory by Story in tomorrow’s main event will not catapult “The Horror’s” career into the upper echelon of the UFC welterweight division.
I welcome your comments.
Follow me on Twitter @toddseyler
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com