UFC Live: Nate Marquardt: Will He Ever Become a UFC Champion?
Bleacher Report’s Cody Slovensky:
Nate Marquardt has had a very successful MMA career. He is a three-time Pancrase Middleweight Champion, which included a total of four title defenses. After only four fights in the UFC, he challenged Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship, losing via TKO in the first round. Since that fight, he has worked his way into two No. 1 contender fights, losing both by decision.
He has now dropped down to the welterweight division and was slated to face Anthony Johnson, but due to injury Johnson withdrew and in stepped Rick Story.
This will be a battle of the wrestlers. Story is coming off of a huge win against title challenger Thiago Alves. Story is on the rise, but it is now Nate’s job to derail Story off of his route towards a shot for the welterweight championship.
Throughout Nate’s career, big fights have been his kryptonite. He held titles in Pancrase, and yes that is a great accomplishment but when put in the big show is where he couldn’t succeed. He has now opened up a new door by dropping to welterweight. This is his last chance at a title run in a realistic aspect, and odds are his drop is a sign that GSP will be moving up in weight or be retiring by the time he gets to a title shot (not a guarantee, just an assumption).