UFC: Why the UFC Needs Paul Daley and Nate Marquardt

The UFC needs to bring back disgraced welterweights Paul Daley and Nate Marquardt something fierce. 

Why?

Depth and increased intrigue at welterweight.

The welterweight division was undergoing stagnation before it received a shot in the arm by the arrival of former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz.

Diaz has since demolished BJ Penn (maybe somebody should let the Hawaiian know that since he seems to have forgotten it) and is set to face Carlos Condit for the interim welterweight championship.

The winner will face the real welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre, once he has recovered from his knee injury, and will be dominated by the champ's wrestling and athleticism. 

But what happens after that?

The main contenders at welterweight not named Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz are Jake Ellenberger, Diego Sanchez and Johnny Hendricks (I'm tempted to list Jon Fitch but it's likely that UFC brass will keep the unfortunately forgettable Fitch on the undercard).

But what happens when only one of those contenders emerges from the logjam and are promptly trounced by St. Pierre?

Nothing? Have St. Pierre leave the division?

This is why Daley and Marquardt are needed back. Welterweight needs more depth and intrigue if the UFC is to continue to hold so many events.

Instead of the same contenders being shuffled around, the (re)addition of Marquardt and Daley would make more people still care about the division once Diaz's hype has cooled down.

The two welterweights may not have played by the rules in the past, but one more chance wouldn't hurt.

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