Former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt made his return to the Octagon at UFC 158 after nearly two years, battling Jake Ellenberger in a fight of hard-hitting, high-level 170-pounders.The fight started off slow, but Marquardt eventually…
Former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt made his return to the Octagon at UFC 158 after nearly two years, battling Jake Ellenberger in a fight of hard-hitting, high-level 170-pounders.
The fight started off slow, but Marquardt eventually fell short in his quest to get back in the win column in the UFC, as he was knocked out midway through Round 2. He attempted to dispute the decision to stop the fight, but the replay showed that he was very clearly out and the right decision was made to stop the contest.
With losses in each of his past two bouts, Marquardt is now in a very tough situation.
As the divisions continue to grow within the UFC, spots on the roster within those divisions are becoming much more difficult to come by. For a fighter like Marquardt who has had his troubles with the UFC front office in the past, three straight losses could potentially be a death sentence for his spot on the roster.
Marquardt will need to get back in the win column, so playing things safe against a lower-level opponent could be an option. Then again, at 33 years old, it’s not as if he has all the time in the world to slowly climb his way back up the ranks. He may, then, consider taking a higher-profile fight against a tougher opponent, but one who would move him back up the ladder more quickly.
Here are five options for Nate Marquardt‘s next fight.
In the first welterweight fight on the main card of UFC 158, Jake Ellenberger welcomed Nate Marquardt back to the UFC. While Marquardt looked good at the start, he felt just how hard Ellenberger can hit as Ellenberger ended the fight with ano…
In the first welterweight fight on the main card of UFC 158, Jake Ellenberger welcomed Nate Marquardt back to the UFC.
While Marquardt looked good at the start, he felt just how hard Ellenberger can hit as Ellenberger ended the fight with another first-round KO.
Ellenberger has now won his second straight fight and could be one away from a title shot.
What we’ll remember about this fight
We will remember just how powerful Ellenberger can be. Not that we forgot from his previous fights. But Ellenberger proved once again that he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the welterweight division.
What we learned about Ellenberger
Ellenberger is back on track after getting his title hopes derailed by Martin Kampmann. With the current state of the welterweight division, if Georges St-Pierre defeats Nick Diaz, Ellenberger will be one of the few welterweight contenders who have yet to face St-Pierre.
What we learned about Marquardt
Marquardt is not a bad fighter. He is a former Strikeforce champion and a former middleweight contender. Yet when it comes to big statement-making fights in the UFC, he just seems to come up short. Marquardt has been through a lot in his career, and if he is serious about making another title push, he will have to reassess his whole game.
What’s next for Ellenberger
Ellenberger may be a fight or two away from a title shot. Depending on how the rest of the night’s fights go, he could be facing Carlos Condit once again or the red-hot Demian Maia.
What’s next for Marquardt
Marquardt has now lost his second straight fight and could be out of the UFC once again with a third straight loss. Marquardt is still a big name just like Josh Koscheck, who has also lost two straight. They could meet in a loser-leaves-town match.
(I don’t always get so excited about a fight that I quote Tito Ortiz, but when I do, I say July 4th…has come early. Photo courtesy of MMAMania)
GSP. Diaz. The Bell Centre in Montreal. That’s right, Potato Nation, it’s finally time for UFC 158. If I need to say literally anything else to get you excited about this card, there is no hope for you at this point. Please show yourself out quietly, and no, we don’t care how exciting you think spring league baseball nonsense is.
But Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz isn’t the only great welterweight fight we have to look forward to tonight. Elsewhere on the card, Johny Hendricks battles Carlos Condit, and Jake Ellenberger welcomes Nate Marquardt back to the big leagues. Plus: A middleweight tilt between Nick Ring and Chris Camozzi, as well as a lightweight bout between TUF finalists Mike Ricci and Colin Fletcher, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Handling tonight’s liveblog will be none other than Aaron Mandel, who will diligently record every punch, kick, and Stockton Heybuddy thrown in the cage after the jump, beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and toss your own observations into the comments section. Let’s do it…
(I don’t always get so excited about a fight that I quote Tito Ortiz, but when I do, I say July 4th…has come early. Photo courtesy of MMAMania)
GSP. Diaz. The Bell Centre in Montreal. That’s right, Potato Nation, it’s finally time for UFC 158. If I need to say literally anything else to get you excited about this card, there is no hope for you at this point. Please show yourself out quietly, and no, we don’t care how exciting you think spring league baseball nonsense is.
But Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz isn’t the only great welterweight fight we have to look forward to tonight. Elsewhere on the card, Johny Hendricks battles Carlos Condit, and Jake Ellenberger welcomes Nate Marquardt back to the big leagues. Plus: A middleweight tilt between Nick Ring and Chris Camozzi, as well as a lightweight bout between TUF finalists Mike Ricci and Colin Fletcher, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Handling tonight’s liveblog will be none other than Aaron Mandel, who will diligently record every punch, kick, and Stockton Heybuddy thrown in the cage after the jump, beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and toss your own observations into the comments section. Let’s do it…
Good evening PotatoHeads, if you like cage fights or just 170 pound men in general, tonight is your night! We’ve got your live play by play action so refresh early and often as we bring you all the action from UFC 158.
Mike Ricci vs. Colin Fletcher
Recent TUF runner-ups clash in this battle with hometown pretty boy Ricci against horror movie extra Fletcher.
Round 1- Fighters feeling it out on the feet to start. Fletcher uses his long legs to throw some rangy kicks, Ricci firing back with hooks and straights. First 90 seconds pass by rather uneventfully, Fletcher working kicks with Ricci showing a more varied arsenal. Rogan calls Fletcher “the whitest human being he’s ever seen” and Goldberg wholeheartedly agrees which is indicative of the lack of action to call so far. An exchange of kicks and punches. Ricci throwing slow kicks and looking a bit stiff on the feet, Fletcher is flowing a little better but hasn’t landed yet, except to Ricci’s groin which Rogan calls “the best strike of the fight so far”, possibly true. Ricci recovers and the round ends uneventfully. 10-9 Ricci, because, pride?
Round 2- Quicker pace to start, Ricci landing and then takes Fletcher down and works from Fletcher’s full guard. Ricci postures up and lands some ground and pound, moves to side control along the cage as Fletcher goes for something Rogan calls “donkey guard”. Ricci works around to back side mount along the cage and Fletcher works back to the feet and clinches Ricci against the cage now. Fletcher is busted up, which gives his complexion a bit more variety. They separate and strike from the center of the cage. Body kick from Fletcher followed by a straight left from Ricci. Fletcher throws a strong leg kick. Ricci seems to be just barely getting the better of the striking but Fletcher is keeping a high volume of kicks coming. Round ends and another snoozer, 10-9 Ricci, again, maybe?
Round 3- Fletcher’s eye is damaged in a way that makes him look even more terrifying and there is ice in the Octagon which of course Rogan flips out about (youtube “Rogan ice in the Octagaon” if you don’t get this reference). Fletcher works for a takedown but Ricci defends and reverses as they pirouette around the cage. Action is lacking and the crowd voices its displeasure as Fletcher tries hopelessly to clinch and drag Ricci down. They separate and strike from the center. Fletcher throws a spinning back first that misses badly and he is auditioning for a role in the next Evil Dead movie as the damage mounts from Ricci’s jabs. Ricci drags Fletcher down against the cage with one minute left. Ricci works to half guard as Fletcher seeks for submissions amid a flurry of ground and pound. Ricci outscrambles Fletcher and takes his back with hooks in and searches for a choke that doesn’t quite get under the chin. Ricci switches to an armbar and the fight ends. 10-9 Ricci, meh.
Mike Ricci defeats Colin Fletcher by unanimous decision
Nick Ring vs. Chris Camozzi
Camozzi rocking a mustache that can be described as questionable, at best, while Ring makes some statements in the promo like “I hope to beat this guy” that threaten to turn the field of philosophy on its head.
Round 1- Leg kicks from both fighters to start. Good left from Camozzi. Lots of leg and body kicks from both fighters in the first minute here. Ring with a good left hook. Cartoon uppercut misses from Camozzi. Ring has his hands very low but hasn’t paid yet. Overhand left from Camozzi lands. Good exchange on the feet with both fighters getting some good shots in. Rings gets clipped, tries to shoot for a takedown and is shrugged off. Good right from Camozzi and Ring has a mouse forming under his right eye. Lots of leg kicks from Ring. A good flurry and combo from Ring as the round ends. Close, I’d say 10-9 Camozzi.
Round 2- More kicks from both fighters to start round 2. I wonder if there is a betting line now in Vegas on whether this card will see any more donkey guard? Both fighters throwing punches, nothing major landing as the round nears the halfway point. Good knee to the body from Camozzi followed by a good right hand. Camozzi rushes in and tries for a standing guillotine but it’s not there and they separate back to striking range. Camozzi seems to be at a sizeable speed disadvantage against Ring, perhaps he is tiring. Good straight right and double jab from Camozzi. Good knee from the clinch by Camozzi. Ring throwing more punches but nothing significant is landing. Rogan is convinced Ring is dominating but I disagree. Right hand from Camozzi briefly staggers Ring. Round ends and I’d say 10-9 Camozzi but Rogan feels differently.
Round 3- Final round begins on what so far has been a lackluster first two fights of the pay per view card. Leg kicks from Ring rip into Camozzi. Two lefts from Camozzi get through. Camozzi throwing bombs that aren’t landing and ends up clinching Ring from behind and trying to drag it to the mat. Ring works against the cage and separates. More leg kicks from Ring, Camozzi is going to have trouble walking tomorrow. Body shot from Ring and Camozzi is firing back. Rogan and I are watching different fights I think, Camozzi seems to be winning in my book. Ring is very tired and Camozzi is trying to pick him apart. Thirty seconds left and Ring is badly gassed. Camozzi can’t find a home for any of his bombs and the fight ends. 10-9 Camozzi, but we’ll see. The crowd is booing, two snoozers so far.
Chris Camozzi defeats Nick Ring by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt
Marquardt makes his return after a few years away and this is his first fight at welterweight in the UFC. He’s facing a tough test in Ellenberger and it will be interesting to see if the Marquardt who wrecked Tyron Woodley shows up or the one who dogged his way through a title loss to Tarec Saffedine. Winner of this is possibly in position for a title eliminator in the near future.
Round 1- Leg kicks back and forth to start but almost no action in the first minute. Marquardt flurries hard on Ellenberger but Jake escapes and nails Marquardt with a good shot. Marquardt trying to exorcise some demons with a bunch of leg kicks. Ellenberger rocks Marquardt with a right hook and drops him! Marquardt crawls around on the ground searching for a takedown but Ellenberger knocks him out face first into the canvas!
Jake Ellenberger defeats Nate Marquardt by KO in round 1
Nate was complaining about the stoppage which is about as comical as anyone saying either of the first two fights were exciting. Big win for Ellenberger, wouldn’t be surprised to see him get Condit if he wins or Hendricks if he loses next.
Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks
Huge test for Hendricks here, he’ll get a title shot if he wins (or probably have it taken away again). For Condit, this is a chance to play spoiler and vault himself right back into contention.
Round 1- Seven inch reach advantage for Condit, I never realized how small Hendricks is, but shit he packs the power. Touch of gloves to start, leg kick from Condit and Hendricks throws the left hand bomb but Condit survives. Hendricks lands again but Condit knees back. Hendricks slams Condit and then walks away. Incredible first minute. Flying knee and superman punch from Condit. Hendricks fires back like a cannon and then takes Condit down. Holy shit finally a breather as Hendricks lays on top of Condit against the cage. Condit back to his feet but Hendricks drags him back down. Condit slick off his back searching for an armbar/triangle. Hendricks in full guard but Condit tying him up off his back and threatening with submissions. Hendricks lets Condit back up as he was being outworked on the ground. Hendricks picks Condit up again to slam but Condit lands out of it. Hendricks back on top of Condit on the ground but Condit is rolling well. Top control for Hendricks and they are again back to the feet! Flying knee from Condit and huge lefts from Hendricks but Condit grabs and arm amidst the flurry and rolls for a Kimura. Hendricks is turtled up on the ground and Condit takes his back as Hendricks stands back up. Hendricks is free and they are both throwing bombs at each other. Round ends with Condit pulling guard and threatening another sub. Holy fuck best round of the year so far. 10-9 Hendricks and I need a new pair of pants.
Round 2- Incredible chin from Condit in that first round and unbelievable warrior spirit to throw back. Second round starts with a Condit headkick being blocked. Condit trying to take advantage of his reach. Condit with another flying knee and Hendricks winging bombs as he tries to put Condit against the cage and nullify his range. Hendricks using the left hook to the body now too and throws Condit into the cage and takes him down. Condit threatens with a Kimura but Hendricks is free in top full guard. Condit works back to the feet and nails Hendricks with a straight right. Left hooks from Hendricks being met with another flying knee from Condit. Hendricks shoots a double leg against the cage and gets Condit down. Condit back to the feet again. Hendricks can get him down but Condit can outmaneuver him when it’s there. Hendricks tiring but times a flying knee from Condit and powers him down to the mat. Hendricks on top in half guard and dropping elbows. Condit calm and composed working off his back and again works back to the feet. Condit tags Hendricks with a right hand. Wild exchange and Hendricks dumps Condit on his back. Round ends with Condit chasing Hendricks around the cage. THIS IS A FUCKING FIGHT@!!!!! 10-9 Hendricks
Round 3- Condit looks insane as the third round starts, bleeding and exhorting the crowd. Apparently Hendricks hurt his left hand but he’s still winging it. Hendricks grabs a single leg and takes Condit down. Condit working hard off his back but Hendricks holds him down well. Hendricks raining the right hand now as Condit tries to reverse off the cage. Condit is blasting Hendricks with punches and elbows from his back. Condit searches for a kimura and rises to his feet. Hendricks blasts Condit with a left hand. Hendricks ducks under a head kick and drags Condit down. Condit doing more damage from the bottom than Johny. They are back to the feet with 90 seconds left and Condit absolutely rocks Hendricks, eyes roll back in his head but he clinches up and hangs on for dear life. Condit separates but Hendricks powers him down again. Condit back up and moving forward like a boss nailing Hendricks right and left. Hendricks dumps him down though but Condit up again and fires forward as the fight ends. Holy fuck. 10-9 Condit. What a fight, these guys came to scrap.
Johny Hendricks defeats Carlos Condit by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
That was maybe the fight of the year! I think the decision was fair, first two rounds to Hendricks, third to Condit, but it’s hard to say there was a real loser here. With Hendricks takedown skills I think a match against GSP would be really interesting. Not sure we’ve seen the kind of chin or warrior spirit from GSP that Condit just showed.
Champ Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
It’s main event time! The buildup and talk is about to end (except for Diaz continuing to talk shit in the cage) and the fight is on. GSP holds most of the advantages here but if Diaz can be slick off his back and take GSP into the championship rounds with lots of volume punches to the body it could get interesting. Get your mean mug ready! Diaz walks out in jeans to a chorus of boos, GSP gets the usual deafening ovation from the hometown crowd in his heavily sponsored gi.
Round 1- I AM WAY TOO PUMPED RIGHT NOW! No touch of the gloves and Montreal is realllly loud. Leg kick from GSP and less than 30 seconds GSP takes Diaz down. GSP on top working some strikes to the body. Diaz throws his legs up looking for something but it’s not there. GSP working a lot from the top throwing punches. Diaz rolls to the turtled position but GSP is stuck to him throwing continual strikes. GSP hops over Diaz to the other side, Diaz sprawls and tries to take GSP down but to no avail. GSP back on top and working all around Diaz throwing strikes and transitioning quickly. Huge elbows from GSP as he postures up. Diaz trying to roll through but GSP is right with him and has maintained a dominant position throughout. Diaz tries to work up the cage but GSP drags him back down. Diaz with a blatant fence grab to get up but GSP muscles him down with ease. GSP on his back with one hook in. Diaz works up the cage again but GSP is smothering him. Diaz working a standing kimura against the cage but GSP absolutely smashes him down to the mat. 10-9 or maybe even 10-8 GSP.
Round 2- Diaz looks super concussed, GSP ready to go as the round starts. GSP with some kicks to start and 40 seconds in GSP dumps Diaz with a double leg. Diaz working his legs around in full guard but GSP raining down some heavy strikes again. Diaz tries to create space and roll for a leg but GSP defends and throws a huge knee to the body. GSP manhandling Diaz around the cage. A brief scramble ends with GSP on top in Diaz’s guard again. Diaz grabs a wrist and tries to roll but GSP stays on top. Diaz back to the feet finally and his face is a swollen mess. Diaz finally does some taunting on the feet, GSP responds with a superman punch. Round ends with Diaz talking shit and Yves Lavigne dragging him back to his corner. 10-9 GSP
“win or lose, he’s a bitch” – Nick Diaz in his corner between rounds.
Round 3- Diaz talking to GSP as they stand. Diaz stuffs a GSP takedown! GSP tries again and gets the fight to the ground. Diaz literally crawls to the cage and gets back to the feet. Nice body shot from Diaz, maybe the first real strike he’s landed this fight. They stand but no real offense from Diaz, GSP mixing in the kicks with punches. GSP tags Diaz with a punch and shoots for a takedown but Diaz shrugs him off against the cage. Diaz starts to finally open with the strikes and seems to clip GSP behind the ear. Volume striking begins but GSP dumps him to the canvas and starts unloading more ground and pound. Round ends with GSP on top. 10-9 GSP but the most life we’ve seen from Diaz.
Diaz took a swing at GSP after the bell, gets a warning from Yves Lavigne.
Round 4- GSP’s corner does not want it on the feet. Championship rounds begin and GSP working a stiff jab repeatedly. Diaz stuffs a GSP takedown and blocks a GSP headkick. Diaz shrugs off another takedown and is firing some big strikes, but none have landed flush. GSP is starting to look busted up and Diaz throws him off on another takedown attempt. They clinch against the cage with Diaz working some uppercuts and knees to the body. Diaz strolling around the cage with his hands down. GSP lands his first takedown of the round and lands in Diaz’s guard. Diaz again crawls to the cage and works back up but Diaz sticks to his back and slams him brutally. Diaz working for a kimura but GSP spins and takes his back. GSP leaning Diaz into the cage. Diaz drops down and works for a kimura again unsuccessfully. Diaz tries to roll under for a leg, GSP on top again as the round ends. 10-9 GSP, closest round so far.
Round 5- Diaz throws a headkick that is blocked. Straight left from Diaz and a good jab from GSP. Nick stuffs a takedown and they are clinched. Knees from the clinch from both fighters. They separate and GSP works the jab over and over. Diaz tries a headkick and slips, GSP is right on top of him and trying to take his back. Diaz trying for a kimura. GSP dominating the positions on the ground and throwing punches from the top. Diaz does some weird gumby shit and he’s somehow out with 90 seconds left they’re standing. Clinch between the two, Diaz working the body, they separate and GSP tries a headkick and then takes Diaz down. Time running out as Diaz hunts for a submission and GSP continues striking. Time expires, Diaz hugs GSP and raises his hand, classy. 10-9 GSP
Champ Georges St. Pierre defeats Nick Diaz by unanimous decision
GSP compliments Diaz’s jiu jitsu and boxing styles and exhorts the crowd to give respect to Diaz. Diaz surprisingly coherent and classy in his post-fight interview and maybe, kinda sorta retires and then starts speaking in incomplete sentences and sort of more definitively retires. He apologizes to Stockton and enters his fourth or fifth minute of talking before introducing Joe Rogan and walking off. Diaz gonna Diaz.
When the action kicks off at the Bell Centre in Montreal for UFC 158, a collection of the UFC welterweights will be looking to carve out their places in the division. The circumstances cover the entire spectrum as some are competing for championship go…
When the action kicks off at the Bell Centre in Montreal for UFC 158, a collection of the UFC welterweights will be looking to carve out their places in the division. The circumstances cover the entire spectrum as some are competing for championship gold–or the chance to position themselves for a future opportunity to do so—while others are fighting to keep their spots on the roster. The event is arguably the most high-profile card of the year, and the fighters involved are all facing a unique amount of pressure.
While the focus leading into Saturday night’s event has been locked on the championship grudge match between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, there is another interesting story line involving two other fighters on the card. Strangely enough, the competitors in question are not facing off with one another and will have no immediate impact on their respective futures, but the career paths of Nate Marquardt and Rick Story will forever be linked because of a fight which never took place nearly two years ago.
Often times, fighters’ careers are dictated by how they perform inside the cage, but in the unique case of these two athletes, it was what didn’t happen that had the greatest effect.
Where Nate Marquardt will square off with Jake Ellenberger on the pay-per-view portion of the card to determine who moves closer to a title shot, it is a starkly different situation for Story.
The Brave Legion fighter will lock up with Strikeforce alum Quinn Mulhern on the Facebook preliminaries, and having lost three of his last four bouts, it is highly likely the 28-year-old is battling to retain his spot on the UFC roster.
When taking a look at Story’s current position in the welterweight fold, it is difficult to argue that the things which have come to pass are not connected to a fateful turn of events in June of 2011 in Pittsburgh, PA.
A Series of Unfortunate Events in the “Steel City”
After stumbling in his Octagon debut against John Hathaway, Rick Story dug in his heels and made a serious run for title contention. The Vancouver, Wash-native put together an impressive six-fight win streak, where he claimed victory over names like Brian Foster, Johny Hendricks and ThiagoAlves.
With each step up the ladder, Story appeared to be coming into his own. After defeating “The Pitbull” at UFC 130, Story not only broke into the upper tier of the division, but found himself being mentioned in the conversation of potential title contenders.
The buzz surrounding Story was thriving, and he was looking to keep the momentum rolling strong. When Anthony Johnson was forced to pull out of his bout with Nate Marquardt at UFC on Versus 4, Story jumped at the opportunity to face another marquee name inside the Octagon. With less than a month to prepare for the throwdown, Story and his team signed on the dotted line and set their sights on facing Marquardt in Pittsburgh.
The bout was set to mark the first headlining spot in Story’s UFC career and presented tremendous opportunity for the surging contender.
But less than an hour before the fighters took the scale for the weigh-ins, Marquardt was pulled from the card due to his failure to receive medical clearance. The former Pancrase champion failed a pre-fight physical which resulted in his removal from the card entirely.
This turn of events put Story in an unenviable situation. He had taken the fight in the hopes that a victory over the former No. 1 middleweight contender would launch him further up the ladder towards a title shot, but with Marquardt out, and the UFC reeling because of losing a highly anticipated bout, Story agreed to face a relatively unknown opponent in Charlie Brenneman.
In facing “The Spaniard”, every ounce of upside Story was looking for in Pittsburgh went out the window and the circumstances rapidly changed into a high risk/low reward scenario. A potential victory over Marquardt would have been the biggest of Story’s young career, where defeating an opponent with minimal name recognition like Brenneman, would only serve to notch another “W” in the win column. The bout was moved into the co-main event slot, and now Story was on the opposite side of the opportunity coin.
As it would turn out, the win was more elusive than expected. Brenneman wrestled his way to a unanimous decision victory, pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the year. In the aftermath of the loss, Story was despondent and obviously shaken by what had just taken place, because what was set to be a career highlight for the Washington-based fighter turned into an unfortunate series of events.
The win streak was gone. The momentum he had generated was erased. And in the aftermath of his loss to Brenneman, it was uncertain how much this turn of events would affect the road ahead.
Determined to bounce back and reclaim his standing in the division, Story took a fight with Martin Kampmann four months later at UFC 139. “The Hitman” was coming off back-to-back, razor-thin decision losses, and much like Story, the Danish striker was looking to regain his footing in the competitive weight class.
Coming into the bout with the Xtreme Couture product, Story was looking to prove his loss to Brenneman was a fluke and get back to his winning ways. Nevertheless those intentions were soured when he struggled to get into a rhythm against Kampmann and found himself on the business end of a unanimous decision defeat.
For the first time in his career, Story was sitting on back-to-back losses. Where he was once bulldozing his way up the divisional ladder, he now found himself in the midst of an ugly backslide and desperately needed a victory.
Fortunately for Story, that opportunity would come when he faced newcomer Brock Jardine at UFC on FX 4 in Atlantic City. Over the course of the three round fight, Story kept a measured pace and used his wrestling to control Jardine on the canvas. It wasn’t a pretty win by any measure but absolutely necessary where Story was concerned.
The victory over Jardine came four days shy of the year mark since the fallout in Pittsburgh. And while Jardine didn’t carry a big name, the much needed win helped to put some wind back in Story’s sails and helped to close a difficult chapter in his career. But for as much relief as his victory in Atlantic City provided, a first round submission loss to Demian Maia in his next outing at UFC 153, once again put Story on the boundaries of relevancy in the welterweight division.
Having lost three of his last four outings, Story’s bout with Mulhern at UFC 158 is a crucial moment in his career. It wasn’t all too long ago when he appeared to be the “next big thing” in the 170-pound weight class, but if Story should come up short against Mulhern, there is a good chance his next fight could very well come outside of the UFC entirely.
The Quest for Redemption Continues for Marquardt
For years the 33-year-old Colorado-based fighter was considered to be one of the top middleweight fighters in the UFC. But after losses to ChaelSonnen and YushinOkami pushed him out of title contention, Marquardt decided to test his skills in the welterweight division.
His 170-pound debut was set to come at UFC on Versus 4, but following his failure to receive medical clearance for the bout with Story, Marquardt was pulled from the card. Adding insult to injury, UFC President Dana White released video via his personal Twitter account that Marquardt had also been released from the promotion as well.
Marquardt‘s situation become top news across the MMA landscape as the exact cause of him being pulled from the card and termination from the UFC was yet to be made clear. Marquardt sat down with Ariel Helwani during the MMA Hour and explained the series of events that created the problem in Pittsburgh.
A remorseful Marquardt explained in detail how his doctor had placed him on hormone replacement therapy to combat low levels of testosterone. He applied for a therapeutic usage exemption for testosterone-replacement-therapy going into his bout with Dan Miller at UFC 128 in March of 2011.
While the request was granted, the New Jersey State Athletic Commission’s decision ordered Marquardt to go off the therapy for 10 weeks then be retested to see if the therapy treatment was something he actually needed. It was ultimately determined by the commission-approved specialist that Marquardt‘s condition met the standards of someone needing testosterone-replacement-therapy.
But where the former No. 1 middleweight contender ran into trouble came when his primary physician attempted to get his testosterone levels back up following the 10 week break. His bout with Story was rapidly approaching, and when Marquardt was retested in Pennsylvania, his levels were above the allowed limit. Despite his levels on the downtrend, the commission could not allow Marquardt to compete. The only bright spot in this turbulent affair came when Marquardt tested once again on the day of the event, and since his levels had dropped to within the proper range, the original suspension issued was lifted.
Following Marquardt‘s release from the UFC, he signed on to compete in the British promotion BAMMA. He was slated to face YoshiyukiYoshida, but the bout never materialized, and Marquardt was granted a release from his contract with the promotion.
In the months that followed his exit from BAMMA, it was announced that Marquardt had signed with Strikeforce. After a year on the sidelines, Marquardt finally made his welterweight debut when he squared off with previously unbeaten TyronWoodley for the vacant Strikeforce 170-pound title. His return would be a triumphant one as Marquardt scored a brutal fourth round knockout over the former University of Missouri wrestling standout.
His performance against Woodley generated instant buzz, and in addition to a championship belt, Marquardt‘s name was being thrown around as one of the top welterweights in the sport. Unfortunately, a lackluster showing in his next outing against TarecSaffiedine would serve to quiet that talk for the most part, but Marquardt‘s proven abilities ensured he wouldn’t be written off entirely.
Once the doors to the Strikeforce promotion were closed for good, Marquardt joined his fellow fighters from the San Jose-based organization and made his way back to the UFC. Prior to his bout with Saffiedine, Marquardt was figured to step immediately into the upper tier of the UFC welterweight division.
After his loss to Saffiedine at Strikeforce’s final show, that scenario seemed unlikely. But after Rory MacDonald fell out of his bout with an injury and Johny Hendricks stepped up to fill his position opposite Carlos Condit, Jake Ellenberger was left without an opponent. Marquardt saw this as the perfect opportunity to make a strong return to the UFC fold and set about campaigning for the fight.
His wish was granted, and in less than 24 hours, the fight between Ellenberger and Marquardt was made official. Now Marquardt has the opportunity to officially set about the course he intended to begin nearly two years ago. After the pain of being released and the year he spent floating in career uncertainty, the table is set for Marquardt to claim redemption and prove he belongs with the top welterweights in the UFC.
Whether Story and Marquardt‘s paths will ever cross inside the Octagon remains to be seen. Where they were once set to face off to determine who would become a legitimate welterweight contender, now their careers are in much different places.
One is fighting to prove he is an elite 170-pound fighter in a crowded title picture, while the other is fighting to keep his job with the promotion. It is a drastic turn from where things stood just a short time ago, but this is the fight business, and the tide can be a difficult thing to overcome.
Both men will step into the Octagon Saturday night in Montreal, and regardless of where their respective careers go in the future, the situation in Pittsburgh will always be a part of their pasts.
The UFC 158 weigh-ins have just finished wrapping up from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. And since we’ve…you know, recently been inspired to cut through the bullshit for once in our lives, we’ll skip the bullshit introduction or whatever and get right to the bullshitty video and pampered, bullshit results, which await you after the jump. WHERE YOU AT, GEORGES?!
The UFC 158 weigh-ins have just finished wrapping up from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. And since we’ve…you know, recently been inspired to cut through the bullshit for once in our lives, we’ll skip the bullshit introduction or whatever and get right to the bullshitty video and pampered, bullshit results, which await you after the jump. WHERE YOU AT, GEORGES?!
Pay-per-view main card (10 p.m. ET):
-Georges St. Pierre (170) vs. Nick Diaz (169)
-Carlos Condit (169) vs. Johny Hendricks (171)
-Jake Ellenberger (170) vs. Nate Marquardt (171)
-Chris Camozzi (185) vs. Nick Ring (183)
-Colin Fletcher (155) vs. Mike Ricci (156)
FX Channel “Prelims” (8 p.m. ET):
-Patrick Cote (169) vs. Bobby Voelker (169)
-Antonio Carvalho (145) vs. Darren Elkins (145)
-Jordan Mein (170) vs. Dan Miller (171)
-Daron Cruickshank (155) vs. John Makdessi (155)
Facebook “Prelims” (6:30 p.m. ET):
-Quinn Mulhern (168) vs. Rick Story (169)
-T.J. Dillashaw (135) vs. Issei Tamura (135)
-Reuben Duran (135) vs. George Roop (135)
(“Yeah homie, I’m looking at your cup. Really? Seriously bro? You are super rich, you’re pampered, you’re in all the magazines AND you’re hung like a horse! This sh*t ain’t fair and I’m callin’ total bullsh*t bro!” Photo via CagedInsider.)
I can’t believe I am about to type this: A Nick Diaz victory over Georges St. Pierre would be the best thing for the UFC Welterweight division. As an unabashed, almost stalkerish fanboy of GSP, I should not have to tell you how difficult that was to write. But God Damn, that was not easy to write.
With the exception of the 378 days that were the Matt Serra Era (or the Matt Serra Terror Era), GSP has ruled the welterweight division dating back to November of 2006. Let that sink in for just a second. Serra’s reign withstanding, St. Pierre has been the champ since Borat was in theaters and Justin Timberlake was on the top of the Billboard charts. Let me put it another way: In November of 2006, Tim “The Diet Machine” Sylvia was the Heavyweight Champion and Sean Sherk was the lightweight title holder. Are those guys even still alive? There is no way of knowing. Needless to say, St. Pierre has had a pretty damn good run thus far and it might be time for a temporary change of pace, even though he has been an excellent ambassador for the sport of MMA.
Some say that “Rush’s” style is the epitome of dominance while others say he is a lay-n-pray specialist. Is GSP careful to a fault in his fights? Probably, but he has only lost 2 of the 41 rounds he has fought during his current 10-fight win streak. That is fucking insane. Even the almighty Anderson Silva lost 5 rounds to Chael Sonnen in their two meetings, and Anderson Silva once beat Mars in a game of Risk. GSP is athletic as hell and imposes his will with technique and tremendous cardio, but for the very first time in his career, he is fighting a guy with a gas tank better than his own. Diaz is a machine (<– follow this link for immediate proof) when it comes to his cardio and frequently competes in triathlons, which makes him an absolute freak even when compared to that of his fellow athletes.
But this post isn’t about the stylistic differences between Diaz and St. Pierre. It isn’t a breakdown of the fight or a tale of the tape. It’s about the fact that a Nick Diaz victory on Saturday night would be the greatest thing the UFC could possibly ask for. Here are three scenarios explaining why. I’m going to go throw up.
(“Yeah homie, I’m looking at your cup. Really? Seriously bro? You are super rich, you’re pampered, you’re in all the magazines AND you’re hung like a horse! This sh*t ain’t fair and I’m callin’ total bullsh*t bro!” Photo via CagedInsider.)
I can’t believe I am about to type this: A Nick Diaz victory over Georges St. Pierre would be the best thing for the UFC Welterweight division. As an unabashed, almost stalkerish fanboy of GSP, I should not have to tell you how difficult that was to write. But God Damn, that was not easy to write.
With the exception of the 378 days that were the Matt Serra Era (or the Matt Serra Terror Era), GSP has ruled the welterweight division dating back to November of 2006. Let that sink in for just a second. Serra’s reign withstanding, St. Pierre has been the champ since Borat was in theaters and Justin Timberlake was on the top of the Billboard charts. Let me put it another way: In November of 2006, Tim “The Diet Machine” Sylvia was the Heavyweight Champion and Sean Sherk was the lightweight title holder. Are those guys even still alive? There is no way of knowing. Needless to say, St. Pierre has had a pretty damn good run thus far and it might be time for a temporary change of pace, even though he has been an excellent ambassador for the sport of MMA.
Some say that “Rush’s” style is the epitome of dominance while others say he is a lay-n-pray specialist. Is GSP careful to a fault in his fights? Probably, but he has only lost 2 of the 41 rounds he has fought during his current 10-fight win streak. That is fucking insane. Even the almighty Anderson Silva lost 5 rounds to Chael Sonnen in their two meetings, and Anderson Silva once beat Mars in a game of Risk. GSP is athletic as hell and imposes his will with technique and tremendous cardio, but for the very first time in his career, he is fighting a guy with a gas tank better than his own. Diaz is a machine (<– follow this link for immediate proof) when it comes to his cardio and frequently competes in triathlons, which makes him an absolute freak even when compared to that of his fellow athletes.
But this post isn’t about the stylistic differences between Diaz and St. Pierre. It isn’t a breakdown of the fight or a tale of the tape. It’s about the fact that a Nick Diaz victory on Saturday night would be the greatest thing the UFC could possibly ask for. Here are three scenarios explaining why. I’m going to go throw up.
Scenario #1
If Carlos Condit manages to beat Johny Hendricks and St. Pierre pummels Diaz, is anybody really excited about seeing a GSP vs “The Natural Born Killer” rematch?” Even though their first meeting was an entertaining 25 minutes, there is no reason to think that the outcome will be any different the second time around. I can see the promos now…the Hail Mary kick that Condit landed to GSP’s melon over and over and over and over again, because that is all the UFC marketing machine could do to make anybody believe that this will NOT essentially be a repeat of their first scrap. Let’s all be honest: Condit won 90 seconds of that 25 minute affair and there isn’t one person not named Carlos Condit or Greg Jackson that has any desire to see it happen again.
Scenario #2
“Bigg Rigg” (why two G’s? Because fuck you, that’s why.) splatters Condit’s face and GSP beats Diaz. Yet again we are in a situation that is a little dicey. Are fans ready to embrace Hendricks as a legitimate contender? He has that country bumpkin charm and one hell of a left hand but he just doesn’t move the needle when it comes to overall fan appeal. With another victory, Hendricks absolutely deserves a shot at GSP, and his decorated collegiate wrestling pedigree could pose some issues in a potential fight with the reigning champ, but we have seen St. Pierre manhandle credentialed wrestlers before (ie. Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck). GSP is more of a Glass Joe than an Arturo Gatti in the chin category but that fact alone doesn’t exactly mean must see TV.
Scenario #3
Diaz shocks the world and beats GSP. At this point, the Condit vs. Hendricks winner is irrelevant because Diaz would more-than-welcome a rematch with Condit, and during the greatest conference call in the history of the universe, Nick had less than flattering things to say about Hendricks as well (I know, hold your shock). This is a win-win-win for the UFC, the fans, and the entertainment factor pertaining to the sport of MMA for the next 18 months. It would take at least a year for Diaz, St. Pierre, Condit, Hendricks, Marquardt, Ellenberger and MacDonald to figure out who fights each other, who is ranked where and what the hell is going to happen next. The match-ups are not exactly defined for Joe Silva and that is exciting for the welterweight division, but more importantly, it is invigorating for the fans that have seen GSP dominate a division for the better part of a decade. GSP may be the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draw now, but a trash-talking antihero sociopath as a champion? Fans would shell out big money for a chance to see a ticking time bomb like Diaz finally implode.
Since Koscheck is a shell of his former self and Chael Sonnen is a mixed bag of hate and love, there really isn’t a true “Bad Guy” in the UFC. Diaz would be the perfect outlaw, riding into town wearing his black (presumably hemp) hat, chain smoking what we can only assume are cowboy killers. Diaz is a self-proclaimed slayer of all things bullshit and would wage war against boring fights. Clearly Diaz is a tortured soul, and if he were to take the welterweight title from one of the most beloved champions in UFC history (and God forbid if he managed to finish him), it would thrust the despised recluse into the mainstream, which he probably isn’t emotionally ready for. Can you imagine Diaz surviving a live ESPN interview without drawing the ire of the masses? Sure, it puts a momentary black eye on our sport but it also brings eyeballs to boob-tubes and gives the casual fan somebody to root against.
It all plays out perfectly for rubbernecking MMA fans that always enjoy slowing down to check out the car wreck on the freeway. It would be an absolutely beautiful disaster…until GSP reclaims the welterweight title during the compulsory UFC New Year’s PPV in 2014, of course.
At that point, all will be right in the world again.
But on Saturday, a Nick Diaz victory would make the predictable welterweight division a case of art imitating life imitating bumper cars and that is a good thing that a stagnant division desperately needs. However, this is all contingent upon the fact that Diaz does NOT piss straight sticky-icky THC into his sample cup during the post fight drug test.
Don’t let this (fist-posing d-bag of a) GSP fan down, Nick.
When the action kicks off at the Bell Centre in Montreal for 
