Ringside Report

Nate Marquardt may not have a fight currently scheduled for the UFC but he remains in the gym, helping train Georges St-Pierre for his title defence on March 27. Marquardt (29-9-2) is coming off a decision loss to Chael Sonnen on February 6 in a bout that earned the winner a future shot at the UFC middleweight title. Marquardt spoke to Ringside Report Radio about who his next opponent could be, “I actually got offered a fight with Michael Bisping but it would have been two days after my baby’s due. So, I can’t do that. I can’t miss the birth of my child.” With the birth of his baby expected in May, Marquardt did give a time-frame for his return, “Initially they (UFC) had told me it would be June or July and hopefully that’s still how it is. I want to get back in there as soon as possible and I think that’d be a good time,” he said.

After Vitor Belfort dropped out of his scheduled April 12 title bout against Anderson Silva, many wondered who would get the next middleweight title shot. Demian Maia was granted the opportunity which did not bother Marquardt who knocked out Maia in twenty-one seconds. “Even though I beat him, he has two recent wins under his belt against tough guys so I think he’s as deserving as anyone,” Marquardt said of Maia. Although deserving, Marquardt did not give Maia much of a chance against the champion, Anderson Silva. “I think Demian’s one of those fighters who will really go for the submission. It seems like in the past that’s been one of Anderson’s weaknesses but I saw him fight Thales Leites and he pretty much nullified him,” said Marquardt. “It wasn’t a very exciting fight but he followed his game-plan and Thales wasn’t able to do anything. If he’s (Silva) able to do the same with Demian (Maia) where Demian’s not able to take him down, then he’s definitely going to win that fight. “

Nate “The Great” has recently been spending time in Montreal, training with UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre for his upcoming title defence against Dan Hardy. Marquardt weighed in on Hardy’s chances against GSP, “He’s a tough up-and-comer. I think he’s got a puncher’s chance, at best. I think Georges is a way better fighter. Georges is the best of the best, the best of the A level fighters. I think Dan is probably a decent B level fighter,” Marquardt said of Hardy. Georges St-Pierre may be one of the best mixed-martial artists in the world but his training partner continues to see improvement. “He’s always been a very well-rounded fighter, but it seems to me like his finishes are getting a lot better, his striking finishes or his submissions,” Marquardt said. “He’s always had very good control with his wrestling, just a dominant position. He’s quick on his feet, he’s got a good jab, so he can control the fight a lot and I think he’s made a big improvement on being able to finish the fight.“ Though St-Pierre may be the heavy favourite, Marquardt knows that heavy favourites sometimes lose and warns GSP to stay focused, “I think Georges has to take this fight seriously. You have to take any fight seriously especially when you’re dealing with a guy that’s got knock out power. “

 To Listen to the entire interview with Nate Marquardt featuring his thoughts on recent UFC-signee James Toney, Shane Carwin versus Frank Mir and more check out the March 12, 2010 episode of Ringside Report Radio.

by Dave Simon

(quotes courtesy of Ringside Report Radio)

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