MMA News: Manager Says Nate Marquardt Is the Right Fit for Any Organization

Since having his suspension lifted from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission earlier this week, Nate Marquardt happens to be one of the most valuable free agents on the market.

Following his release by the UFC for undergoing testosterone replacement therapy, Marquardt is looking to move on with his life and get back to focusing on his fighting career.

Marquardt's manager, Lex McMahon, spoke to MMAWeekly.com and said his client is looking for the best fights possible. In fact, Marquardt is interested in competing against those who called him out during his suspension, including Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard.

"He in particular selected those fighters because they disrespected him publicly while he was going through a difficult time. Nate’s never been someone whose done that to anyone else while they were down," McMahon said.

Lombard publicly attacked Marquardt following his suspension, calling him out in interviews and the social network Twitter. While the thought of facing the Cuban native intrigues the former UFC middleweight contender, McMahon said it is in Marquardt's best interest to find an organization first.

Marquardt was in talks of signing with Bellator Fighting Championship, but a deal could not be reached. In an interview with MMAJunkie.com, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said Marquardt wasn't a good fit for their promotion momentarily, but McMahon seems to think otherwise.

“I just fail to see how when a fighter of that caliber comes available, when you’ve got programming that’s on the MTV networks where they’re looking for content to counter program the UFC, I just find it hard that Nate’s not a right fit for them," he said.

Although he might not fit the company's plans, McMahon said his client is interested in the best fights possible, including super-fights with some of Bellator's top fighters.

"Nate is very interested in fighting Hector Lombard or Ben Askren, or both,” he said.

Whether or not a deal can be reached is unknown at this time, but McMahon said his client is ready to fight anywhere. And when it comes time for Marquardt to be welcomed back into MMA, McMahon said it will be a story to behold.

“Nate’s path to redemption is going to be an amazing story. When he’s fighting for a championship belt in the very near future, people are going to look back at this and say ‘what an amazing story’,” he said regarding Marquardt's future.

“Nate’s ready to go in very short order. He was ready to fight June 26, Nate pointed out yesterday he’s ready to fight today.”