(Pictured above: The REAL reason Nate Marquardt got fired.)
When taking a look at Nate Marquardt‘s Sherdog profile, we were kind of shocked to find that it has only been a little over a year since he last fought. Perhaps it was a result of his repeated delays when signed under the BAMMA banner some 6 months ago, but it feels like it has been a long time since we’ve seen the one-time UFC middleweight title contender in action. Like Gina Carano long.
And go figure, it all began with TRT. Because it always begins with TRT. After going 2-2 in his last four UFC fights, including a most recent UD win over Dan Miller at UFC 128, Marquardt was expected to make his welterweight debut against Rick Story at the main event of UFC Live 4. Things took a turn for the worse, however, when he was pulled from the card at the last minute for elevated testosterone levels. He was subsequently ousted by the UFC and replaced by Charlie Brenneman, who went on to score the upset over Story and completely derail his hype train.
Well, ladies and gents, a date has finally been set for the return of “The Great.”
(Pictured above: The REAL reason Nate Marquardt got fired.)
When taking a look at Nate Marquardt‘s Sherdog profile, we were kind of shocked to find that it has only been a little over a year since he last fought. Perhaps it was a result of his repeated delays when signed under the BAMMA banner some 6 months ago, but it feels like it has been a long time since we’ve seen the one-time UFC middleweight title contender in action. Like Gina Carano long.
And go figure, it all began with TRT. Because it always begins with TRT. After going 2-2 in his last four UFC fights, including a most recent UD win over Dan Miller at UFC 128, Marquardt was expected to make his welterweight debut against Rick Story at the main event of UFC Live 4. Things took a turn for the worse, however, when he was pulled from the card at the last minute for elevated testosterone levels. He was subsequently ousted by the UFC and replaced by Charlie Brenneman, who went on to score the upset over Story and completely derail his hype train.
Well, ladies and gents, a date has finally been set for the return of “The Great.” Though the fight has yet to be confirmed by Strikeforce, it has been reportedly scheduled for the main card of the Heavyweight Tournament Finals match between Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier on May 19th. Also scheduled for this card is the mildly anticipated trilogy match between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thompson for the lightweight title.
And according to Marquardt, his match against Woodley is going to be for the vacant welterweight title. Not bad for a guy who was among the men DW said would never fight for Zuffa again. Here’s what Marquardt told Inside MMAduring a recent interview:
It’s the best outcome I could have imagined, with all this. Like I said. Back with Zuffa. Back in a title fight for my first fight back, it’s amazing. From what I understand, that’s who I’ll be fighting is Tyron Woodley. I also understand it’s gonna be a five round title fight for the 170 pound title. You know, he’s a smart fighter, but at the same time, I have a lot more experience than him. It’s gonna be my fight to dictate where it goes.
Dear God, we hope so. Woodley’s recent performances have been nothing short of Askrenian in terms of excitement, and we would really like to see him forced to resort to something other than his wrestling base.
The tentatively titled Strikeforce 40 goes down from the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California on May 19th.
Quick head’s up, Nation. While Nate Marquardt has been mum since a series of unfortunate events over the weekend about what exactly is going on, it’s been announced that he would be addressing his issues today. Well, surprise, surprise: the Barbara Walters of MMA (and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible) landed the interview, with Marquardt scheduled to appear on The MMA Hour today at 1pm.
What are you trying to tell us, Nate?
Quick head’s up, Nation. While Nate Marquardt has been mum since a series of unfortunate events over the weekend about what exactly is going on, it’s been announced that he would be addressing his issues today. Well, surprise, surprise: the Barbara Walters of MMA (and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible) landed the interview, with Marquardt scheduled to appear on The MMA Hour today at 1pm.
What We Know (not much):
* Marquardt completed his paperwork and was licensed to fight, but was unable to clear up a medical issue with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission.
* Whatever it is, the Baldfather is pissed. Nate was summarily fired for … whatever it is.
Anything beyond that is just rumor and speculation, although there are a ton of “insiders” willing to share the “scoop”. We would link to some of this speculation, but there aren’t enough words in this post to link to all of them, and they’re all pretty worthless at this point.
We’ll all get the story straight from the man himself here in about an hour, so everyone just be cool. Tune in here at 1, and you’ll know as much about this as we do. Unless you happen to be Nate Marquardt, in which case, dude, call us.
Quick head’s up, Nation. While Nate Marquardt has been mum since a series of unfortunate events over the weekend about what exactly is going on, it’s been announced that he would be addressing his issues today. Well, surprise, surprise: the Barbara Walters of MMA (and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible) landed the interview, with Marquardt scheduled to appear on The MMA Hour today at 1pm.
What are you trying to tell us, Nate?
Quick head’s up, Nation. While Nate Marquardt has been mum since a series of unfortunate events over the weekend about what exactly is going on, it’s been announced that he would be addressing his issues today. Well, surprise, surprise: the Barbara Walters of MMA (and we mean that in the most complimentary way possible) landed the interview, with Marquardt scheduled to appear on The MMA Hour today at 1pm.
What We Know (not much):
* Marquardt completed his paperwork and was licensed to fight, but was unable to clear up a medical issue with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission.
* Whatever it is, the Baldfather is pissed. Nate was summarily fired for … whatever it is.
Anything beyond that is just rumor and speculation, although there are a ton of “insiders” willing to share the “scoop”. We would link to some of this speculation, but there aren’t enough words in this post to link to all of them, and they’re all pretty worthless at this point.
We’ll all get the story straight from the man himself here in about an hour, so everyone just be cool. Tune in here at 1, and you’ll know as much about this as we do. Unless you happen to be Nate Marquardt, in which case, dude, call us.
Seems like you should be able to predict the fight based on the shorts alone. PicProps: MMAJunkie
It happens everytime. You write off a UFC card as uninteresting and decide to paint along with Bob Ross (or whatever it is you do with your personal time), and the fighters get wind of it and take your lack of interest personally.
They get in to the Octagon and perform stupifying acts of athleticism and heartitude, Dana White gets a huge boner at the press conference, and now you have to read recaps and watch GIFs to catch up on the action. Sucks to be you, we guess.
Frankly, you need to be making better choices in your life — you cannot paint those happy little clouds and friendly little mountains like Bob Ross — no one can. Frodog himself couldn’t even paint like that; all of Bob Ross’s shows were actually produced by Industrial Light and Magic. There, the secret is out, and we can die in peace.
For those dedicated souls that tuned in, hey wow, how about that show, huh? Like you, we had some thoughts during the fights, and unlike you, we wrote some of these thoughts down during and after the fights. Come on in and let us tell you how you’re feeling right now.
Seems like you should be able to predict the fight based on the shorts alone. PicProps: MMAJunkie
It happens everytime. You write off a UFC card as uninteresting and decide to paint along with Bob Ross (or whatever it is you do with your personal time), and the fighters get wind of it and take your lack of interest personally.
They get in to the Octagon and perform stupifying acts of athleticism and heartitude, Dana White gets a huge boner at the press conference, and now you have to read recaps and watch GIFs to catch up on the action. Sucks to be you, we guess.
Frankly, you need to be making better choices in your life — you cannot paint those happy little clouds and friendly little mountains like Bob Ross — no one can. Frodog himself couldn’t even paint like that; all of Bob Ross’s shows were actually produced by Industrial Light and Magic. There, the secret is out, and we can die in peace.
For those dedicated souls that tuned in, hey wow, how about that show, huh? Like you, we had some thoughts during the fights, and unlike you, we wrote some of these thoughts down during and after the fights. Come on in and let us tell you how you’re feeling right now.
Charles Oliveira and Nik Lentz were putting on a damn show in the prelims, until Oliveira blasted Lentz in the eyepiece with an illegal knee. When referee Chip Snider missed the blow completely and kept the fight going, Lentz was submitted like he had no clue what was going on. (Because he didn’t.) Oliveira gets the win, and our blood pressure started going up … until we’re informed that reps from the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission were on the case, and the fight and the result would be examined. Props, kudos, and respect to the AC for being on the ball to: A) catch the foul, and B) move swiftly to assure everyone that they caught the foul.
It was quickly apparent in the Mitrione-Morecraft fight that Meathead hits quite a bit harder than Christian Morecraft appreciates being hit, and we were surprised to see it make it out of the first. It was the accumulation of damage, rather than one crushing killshot, that sent Morecraft to the floor, but Mitrione knew his work was done. Morecraft shying away from the referee like he’d just been tag-teamed by a honey badger and a silverback gorilla hopped up on Cialis only served to reinforce that he was done for the night. Mitrione was already off shaking hands with Joe Silva and thinking of a joke for his Rogan interview. Walk-off knockouts: yep, still awesome.
3. Maybe it’s NOT such a good idea to take fights back to back ….
Saturday, Rick Story was riding an impressive win streak (poised to join the 7 Win Club), coming off a great victory, shooting up the welterweight rankings, and was a chic pick to spoil Nate Marquardt’s debut at 170. Sunday night, he’s getting outwrestled by some guy from the prelims. While the late change in opponents could have been a factor, Story looked to be having some fatigue issues as the fight went on. Whether he was over-trained or under-gameplanned, Story probably wishes he’d taken a couple months off. On a related note…
4. It’s time to take a good look at Charlie Brenneman.
And we don’t mean his skinny-puppy physique or those awesomely bad highlighter vale tudo shorts. Charlie Brenneman is now 14-2 professionally, with losses to John Howard (three years ago) and Johny Hendricks — no shame there. In the UFC, he’s sent two other fighters home with a pink slip, including his debut victory over Jason High. On one hand, it seems surreal to even mention Brenneman against guys like GSP, Fitch, or Koscheck; on the other, he deserves more than just returning to the prelims versus TJ Grant. There’s plenty of fights for him: Brian Foster (if his brain is ok) or Matt Brown would be appropriate tests for him, but if he wants to make a splash he’ll go after Thiago Alves. We can’t see him winning that fight, but then again, dude, did you see what he did to Rick Story?
Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry brought the artillery for their fight, and they manages to use all of it in just about two and a half minutes. HD had Kongo reeling all over the Octagon between two knockdowns, and everyone expected ref Dan Mirgliotta to jump in and save Kongo — including Mirgliotta himself. Kongo managed to regain his footing, shaky as it was, and land a right hook and a follow-on uppercut that put Barry directly in touch with his belated great-nana . It was a scary KO and we were glad to see our boy HD was ok, but holy Scott Smith Batman! Between his “hay ladies” physique and his concussive knockouts, Kongo reminded all of us why he’s still in the UFC last night.
