Nate Marquardt to Bellator? Askren and Now Lombard Have Called out Marquardt

Ever since Nate Marquardt’s last second scratch from UFC on Versus 4, he has revealed that he did not meet guidelines to compete due to elevated testosterone levels from testosterone replacement therapy.

The Pennsylvania Athletic Commission has also let it be known that Marquardt remains suspended, with his next hearing set for July 13.

One question that has remained unanswered though, is what’s next for Nate “The Great”?

The answer could be in the immediate future though, as ESPN Insider is reporting that Marquardt has received a contract offer from Bellator.

ESPN Insider is a subscription only news source, but Bloody Elbow reprinted the most relevant portion of the report. 

The biggest piece of news here is that Bellator is interested in having Marquardt at middleweight, as opposed to welterweight. 

Marquardt has spent the majority of his 12 career competing at 185 pounds, but he was set to make his welterweight debut against Rick Story prior to being unceremoniously fired by the UFC.

Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren has recently ripped Marquardt about his current situation, calling him a cheater and saying that he needs to man up for his actions.

Askren has also said he would crush Marquardt if the two ever met in the cage.

However, it appears that Bellator is more interested in having Marquardt take on their middleweight champion, Hector Lombard.

Lombard has been cruising through the current Bellator roster, with 18 consecutive wins, and has not lost in 22 fights (he had a draw with Kyle Noke in 2007.)

“Lightning” Lombard may know something we don’t know, as all he’s been doing on Twitter in the past 24 hours is call out Nate Marquardt.

Bellator’s biggest draw tweeted at TKO management, the company that represents Marquardt: "@tkomgmt I wanna beat up your boy yo (sic)"

Lombard also tweeted to various followers that Marquardt has no reason not to fight him now that he’s no longer with the UFC, and that “Bellator wants the fight and I do to (sic).”

Bloody Elbow also has some conflicting news, stating that Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney is interested in Marquardt, but stated that no formal talks had occurred and that no offer has been made.

Is Bellator the best realistic possibility for Marquardt with the UFC and Strikeforce off the table?

Is Strikeforce actually off the table? Dana White only said Marquardt would never compete in the UFC again, not Zuffa.

Would Marquardt be willing to take the likely pay cut that comes along with signing to Bellator?

A lot of questions remain up in the air before fight fans see Marquardt on an active MMA roster again.