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.
(You are a great champion and you hit like a girl. I want to retire and I want a rematch. / Photo via MMAWeekly)
Before the judges’ decision for UFC 158’s main event between Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz was even announced, Diaz walked over to the man he’d been taunting for years and raised the champion’s hand. It was a far cry from the head games Diaz had been playing with Georges – calling him a coward, accusing him of using steroids, taking swings at him after a round bell, etc. – and St. Pierre returned the gesture of respect in his post-fight comments in the ring to interviewer Joe Rogan.
It did not take long, however, for Diaz to once more insult St. Pierre, at the post event press conference. “He hits like a woman,” a battered Diaz told the assembled media.
“He has his full on range to separate and punch me, but he hits like a girl because he’s too scared to let go to get a real punch in…Five rounds woke me up, I’m ready to fight.”
We’re not sure how Diaz’ buddy Ronda Rousey would feel about him using the female tag as an insult, but she’d probably advise the challenger to make sure he’s ready at the opening bell next time, instead of after twenty five minutes in.
That is, anyway, if Diaz ever even fights again. The veteran re-stated his interest in retiring from the sport he’s competed in professionally since adolescence. “I’m trying to retire,” Diaz said. “I’m trying to get out of this gig, but I would love a rematch. I think I could beat you. I really do, I think I could beat him. I think I could stop the take downs for the first two rounds and get to fight my whole fight and I think I could beat you.”
UFC President Dana White was succinct in shutting down any notion of an immediate title shot for Diaz. “He wouldn’t get a rematch off that fight,” White said. “Johny Hendricks deserves the next shot.”
White also had some advice for Diaz after another strange admission from the California resident. Nick Diaz told the media that he has never paid taxes in his life and that he expects to go to prison for it.
“I’ve never paid taxes in my life,” Diaz revealed.
“I’m probably going to go to jail. And no one wants to hear that kind of talk and what’s going on with me. I might as well just be a kid. I’ve had fight after fight after fight after fight, and you don’t know what that does to somebody who didn’t graduate high school.”
“Holy sh_t. That’s sad,” White said of Diaz’ admission. “You wanna talk about sad? That’s sad. Somebody better handle that with this check and make sure that kid doesn’t end up with nothing.”
Diaz’ manager Cesar Gracie should add getting his client to pay his taxes to the long list of things he should be doing as a part of his job, along with getting him to show up to contractually obligated events.
Oh yeah, Diaz said he slept until 8pm the day of the event and criticized his coaching and teammates as absent and negligent.
Craziness. Anyway, check out video of the full press conference after the jump to get your share of Diaz excuses, Diaz praising St. Pierre, Diaz insulting St. Pierre, and much more.
(You are a great champion and you hit like a girl. I want to retire and I want a rematch. / Photo via MMAWeekly)
Before the judges’ decision for UFC 158′s main event between Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz was even announced, Diaz walked over to the man he’d been taunting for years and raised the champion’s hand. It was a far cry from the head games Diaz had been playing with Georges – calling him a coward, accusing him of using steroids, taking swings at him after a round bell, etc. – and St. Pierre returned the gesture of respect in his post-fight comments in the ring to interviewer Joe Rogan.
It did not take long, however, for Diaz to once more insult St. Pierre, at the post event press conference. “He hits like a woman,” a battered Diaz told the assembled media.
“He has his full on range to separate and punch me, but he hits like a girl because he’s too scared to let go to get a real punch in…Five rounds woke me up, I’m ready to fight.”
We’re not sure how Diaz’ buddy Ronda Rousey would feel about him using the female tag as an insult, but she’d probably advise the challenger to make sure he’s ready at the opening bell next time, instead of after twenty five minutes in.
That is, anyway, if Diaz ever even fights again. The veteran re-stated his interest in retiring from the sport he’s competed in professionally since adolescence. “I’m trying to retire,” Diaz said. “I’m trying to get out of this gig, but I would love a rematch. I think I could beat you. I really do, I think I could beat him. I think I could stop the take downs for the first two rounds and get to fight my whole fight and I think I could beat you.”
UFC President Dana White was succinct in shutting down any notion of an immediate title shot for Diaz. “He wouldn’t get a rematch off that fight,” White said. “Johny Hendricks deserves the next shot.”
White also had some advice for Diaz after another strange admission from the California resident. Nick Diaz told the media that he has never paid taxes in his life and that he expects to go to prison for it.
“I’ve never paid taxes in my life,” Diaz revealed.
“I’m probably going to go to jail. And no one wants to hear that kind of talk and what’s going on with me. I might as well just be a kid. I’ve had fight after fight after fight after fight, and you don’t know what that does to somebody who didn’t graduate high school.”
“Holy sh_t. That’s sad,” White said of Diaz’ admission. “You wanna talk about sad? That’s sad. Somebody better handle that with this check and make sure that kid doesn’t end up with nothing.”
Diaz’ manager Cesar Gracie should add getting his client to pay his taxes to the long list of things he should be doing as a part of his job, along with getting him to show up to contractually obligated events.
Oh yeah, Diaz said he slept until 8pm the day of the event and criticized his coaching and teammates as absent and negligent.
Craziness. Anyway, check out video of the full press conference after the jump to get your share of Diaz excuses, Diaz praising St. Pierre, Diaz insulting St. Pierre, and much more.
Rising welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger made an emphatic statement with his Knockout of the Night winning performance over former Strikeforce champ Nate Marquardt on Saturday night.The impressive first-round finish over one of MMA’s elite 170ers…
Rising welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger made an emphatic statement with his Knockout of the Night winning performance over former Strikeforce champ Nate Marquardt on Saturday night.
The impressive first-round finish over one of MMA’s elite 170ers has catapulted Ellenberger up the UFC’s welterweight rankings, making him just a few more wins away from a possible run for the title.
“The Juggernaut” needs to keep facing the cream of the crop if he wants to take a serious shot at the belt.
One name that comes to mind for his next opponent is TarecSaffiedine, Strikeforce’s final welterweight champion and new addition to the UFC’s roster.
Saffiedine has excellent striking skills and likes to stand and trade. Stylistically, this is a great test for Ellenberger, who’s heavy hands might make the difference in this potential matchup.
A win over the likes of Saffiedine would add another big name to “The Juggernaut’s” growing resume and would set him up perfectly for a run at the belt.
Another name I’d like to see Ellenberger face is former interim champ Carlos Condit.
Ellenberger actually lost to Condit in his UFC debut, ending up on the wrong side of a split decision.
While “The Natural Born Killer” has dropped two in a row, his fight against Johny Hendricks on Saturday night was a sure fire Fight of the Year candidate, so I doubt Condit‘s stock will go down that much.
The former interim champ is still very much in the mix, so if Ellenberger can avenge his loss, there would be no denying his status among the welterweight’s elite.
Plus, a rematch between these two finishers would make for a fantastic battle.
As long as Ellenberger can keep beating the best the division has to offer, there’s no reason why he couldn’t make a run for Georges St-Pierre’s crown.
Nick Diaz should not go out like this.He was outclassed by Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158. The buildup to the fight had been very heated, thus leading up to what looked to be a great fight. Instead, it was just more evidence as to the quality of St-Pierr…
He was outclassed by Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158. The buildup to the fight had been very heated, thus leading up to what looked to be a great fight. Instead, it was just more evidence as to the quality of St-Pierre. He looked to be the clear winner, and the judges agreed. All three scored the fight 50-45 in favor of GSP.
The result had to be a bit disheartening for Diaz. It was his first fight in the Octagon since Feb. 4, 2012, after which he received a 13-month suspension (h/t Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com). Few could have expected that Diaz might actually contemplate retirement (h/t John Morgan of USA Today):
“I think I’m going to have to just kind of figure out if I want to keep doing this,” Diaz said. “To be honest, I don’t think I’ve really got it anymore.”
For the most part, when a fighter is weighing whether or not to walk away, discretion is the better part of valor. Hanging on to the last vestiges of a once-productive career only leads to more disappointment.
Diaz is only 29 years old, though. This isn’t the case of a fighter who’s clearly past his best simply hanging on for a few more paydays. Diaz‘s still got more than enough in the tank.
The loss to St-Pierre was Diaz‘s second in a row after losing to Carlos Condit at UFC 143. Let’s not forget that Diaz had won his previous 11 fights before the defeat to Condit. There’s no shame in losing a decision to St-Pierre, who’s one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Diaz is still hovering close to the top of the UFC Welterweight rankings. With a couple more wins, he could very well have himself with another shot at the title.
If his passion is really dwindling, there’s nothing that can really be done or said on Diaz‘s behalf that will make that drive come back. Either he will want to continue fighting, or he won’t.
The quote from Diaz could be nothing more than a disappointed fighter speaking out after a tough loss. When you’ve tried so hard and come up short, it’s only natural to question whether or not you still have it.
The longer he goes without fighting, the stronger that itch will be to get back in the Octagon. Plus, there’s no reason the lasting image of Diaz should his loss to St-Pierre.
In a few months, this could all turn into nothing at all. At the moment, Diaz would be crazy to call it quits. His work is far from finished.
Johny Hendricks and Carlos Condit put on a fun fight last night Montreal. It was a fight that saw a power-punching wrestler take on a kickboxer with slick jiu-jitsu.After three rounds of excitement, Hendricks prevailed as the winner via unanimous decis…
Johny Hendricks and Carlos Condit put on a fun fight last night Montreal. It was a fight that saw a power-punching wrestler take on a kickboxer with slick jiu-jitsu.
After three rounds of excitement, Hendricks prevailed as the winner via unanimous decision.
Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz were supposed to be the main attraction, but the fight between Condit and Hendricks stole the show. It was an exciting slugfest that occasionally saw Hendricks put Condit on his back with his solid wrestling.
Everybody at UFC 158 was excited for the drama that GSP-Diaz was bound to bring. All the talk of wolf tickets and hate between the two headliners was sure to be the talking point of the show.
From the opening bell, Condit and Hendricks threw hands, feet, knees and elbows. For every power strike Hendricks threw at Condit, Condit responded with a flying knee or a nasty combination of his own.
It won Fight of the Night for a reason; both men went all out for a chance to gain a welterweight title shot against Georges St. Pierre.
To say this fight stole the show is an understatement. The GSP-Diaz scrap was a complete domination display by the champion and failed to really stand out, especially with the memorable bout Condit and Hendricks put on.
In the end, Hendricks walked out of Montreal with the victory. His combination of powerful striking and wrestling proved to be the superior set of skills against Condit.
Condit did not walk out of Quebec empty-handed. Both he and Hendricks earned a $50,000 bonus for their combined effort in the Fight of the Night.
Now Hendricks is the top contender, but Condit is not far off from the title picture. That may be because this fight stole the show on GSP‘s home soil.
Well, he did it. Not that many expected him to lose, but on Saturday night in Montreal, Georges St-Pierre defeated Nick Diaz in decisive fashion to retain his UFC welterweight title. The fight was more or less exactly as expected, with St-Pierre using …
Well, he did it. Not that many expected him to lose, but on Saturday night in Montreal, Georges St-Pierre defeated Nick Diaz in decisive fashion to retain his UFC welterweight title.
The fight was more or less exactly as expected, with St-Pierre using ground control and wrestling to pull away early before he used calculated striking to round out his set of 50-45s on the scorecards.
Now the attention moves to whom will be next for the longtime champion. St-Pierre will have gone six years without a loss by the time he returns in the Octagon for his next fight.
The following fighters deserve the most attention as his next opponent.
