Nate Marquardt: Excited and Looking for the Finish at UFC 128

On Saturday night, live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., one of the sport's premier middleweights will be back in action.

Nate “The Great” Marquardt (30-10-2 MMA, 9-4 UFC) is eager and excited to put his world-class skills on display in hopes of kicking off his 2011 campaign with a victory. 

Marquardt recently spoke with Bleacher Report about his excitement to fight, training and more.

“I’m very excited and I’m excited to get back in there and show what I can do and put on a good performance,” Marquardt said. “For this fight, I’ve really pushed hard and I always push hard, but I think my coaches have pushed me extra hard for this fight. I am really pleased with where I’m at, mentally and physically.” 

For a fighter, the mental aspect of the sport can be equally as important as being physically prepared, and Marquardt’s coaching staff at Grudge Training Center has him feeling fully equipped and confident. 

“I’ve trained very hard for this fight and I just focused on being mentally strong,” he explained. “I really feel like my coaches have pushed me hard this camp and I’m excited and I feel confident with what I have done.” 

The aforementioned coaches have had a full schedule this time around. In addition to his own clash versus Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Dan Miller, three of Marquardt’s teammates will also be fighting in three days' time, and the middleweight feels it has been rather beneficial in training. 

“It’s definitely been beneficial and not only having Brendan, but Elliot Marshall and Jon Jones are on the card,” he said. “So, that’s three teammates on the card, and I really think that’s been a good thing. We’re all able to peak at the same time and the coaches are on point with what weeks we need to be training hard and what weeks we need to be peaking.” 

With that being said, it is safe to say that he fully expects his timing to be accurate, and the Grudge-trained fighter expects only one outcome in the fight. 

“I just want to go out and put on a good performance and go for the finish. That’s what I’m going to be aiming for.”

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