Former number one middleweight (185 pounds) contender Nate Marquardt is set to make his welterweight (170 pounds) debut this weekend (Sun., June 26, 2011) when he takes on Rick Story in the UFC on Versus 4 main event from the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
UFC On Versus 4: Nate Marquardt’s Career Highs And Lows
Marquardt, 32, is a 12-year mixed martial arts veteran, taking on several of the best fighters the sport has to offer during a 43-fight span. He was the first-ever middleweight King of Pancrase way back in 2000 and worked his way up the ranks to a title shot against UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in 2007.
The bout with Silva ended miserably for Marquardt, who was dropped with a punch in the first round and finished shortly thereafter by the lethal Brazilian. It's been a long road to try and earn a rematch. Just when it appeared he was one fight away, twice, he dropped pivotal decisions to eventual title challengers Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami, respectively.
He's subsequently been branded a "choker" by UFC President Dana White, which is perhaps also among the many reasons behind his odd decision to shed 15 pounds off an already chiseled 6' frame. He needs to get over the hump, make another title run and wrap a belt around his waste before tying a ribbon around an illustrious career.
And he feels his best chances of accomplishing that goal reside in the welterweight division.
So as Marquardt embarks on the latest chapter of his “Story,” we are once again going to travel back in time to look at the best and worst career-defining moments to date for “The Great.”
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