UFC 109 Results: Nate Marquardt Not So “Great” After All

Coming into UFC 109 Nate Marquardt looked like a man on a mission. With three wins in a row, all of which by way of TKO stoppage, Marquardt entered the Octagon Saturday night one win away from earning another shot at the UFC title that he covets so greatly.

Many, including myself, thought that Marquardt would simply be too much for Chael Sonnen. Boy we couldn’t have been more wrong.

From the opening bell Sonnen brought the fight to Marquardt, taking him down early and delivering some vicious ground and pound. Sonnen’s top control and constant pressure were flawless as he battered and bruised his way to a decisive Unanimous Decision victory; earning his own shot at UFC middleweight gold.

This loss has to be heartbreaking for Marquardt, as many had him pegged as the heir apparent to Anderson Silva’s throne.

Perhaps, it’s safe to say that the Nate Marquardt hype train was a bit premature.

Yes, in his three victories leading up to Saturday’s loss Marquardt looked spectacular, putting together video game like combinations. But, let’s take a closer look at his competition in those three victories.

First we have Martin Kampmann, a fine fighter but not exactly “Top” middleweight competition. After his loss to Marquardt, Kampmann has made the move down to welterweight where he has seen mixed reviews. It’s a nice win but nothing that should make you jump from your seat.

Next on the list is Wilson Gouveia. Now Gouveia is one of those fighters who seemly have all of the talent to be a good but lacks the mental fortitude to ever really make an impact in the sport. As such, Gouveia is no longer even with the UFC.

Lastly we come to Demain Maia. Now Maia is a quality win over a quality opponent but was it really that impressive? All Marquardt did was expose a grappler with, at best, rudimentary stand up skills.

Now, none of this is to suggest that Nate Marquardt did not deserve to be in the position that his was in at UFC 109; fighting for a chance to compete for the title. Or, that Nate Marquardt is not an elite level fighter.

But, he certainly isn’t the division’s next evolution of fighter either.

So now it’s back to the drawing board for Marquardt. As he must, once again, dust himself off and begin his climb up the middleweight mountain.