After being cut from the ranks of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) one year ago for his testosterone level issues, Nate Marquardt has been laying low for the most part.
Sure, thanks to the case of Alistair Overeem, the average mixed martial arts (MMA) fans is now more educated as to what exactly elevated testosterone levels are and what testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) encompasses. The similar cases of Chael Sonnen, Quinton Jackson and most recently Frank Mir, have driven home the TRT awareness ... for better or worse.
A year ago, though, Marquardt was one of the first fighters to have the fingers pointed at him for his testosterone levels. So much so that it cost him his position with the UFC.
After signing with BAMMA and having his scheduled bouts fall through, "The Great" eventually returned to the Zuffa family when he signed with the San Jose-based promotion Strikeforce for his debut at Welterweight. Standing in his way is the undefeated (10-0) Tyron Woodley, who the normally reserved Marquardt says is a "boring" fighter because of his wrestling preference.
Check out what the former Pancrase Middleweight champion had to say about his absence from MMA and what fans can expect when he steps back inside the cage, as well as the revelation that he is no longer on TRT, on his recent appearance on "The MMA Hour."
"I didn't know if I was going to be able to fulfill my dreams going that route (TRT). I just feel it was so much of a hassle and stress with the commissions and all that, I guess, that the right thing for me to do right now is to choose not to do it. And you know, definitely I've pursued a lot of other stuff to try to help my health and a lot of it's helping. I feel great right now. I'm in really good shape, and that's not something I'm worried about right now. I'm sure there are guys who misuse TRT, but there's also guys who plain out use steroids. Guys are going to cheat no matter what. That's something that you can't get around."
Ready to get back into the swing of things, Marquardt will have to do so against one of the most dynamic 170-pound fighters in the sport today in Woodley. Despite "T-Wood's" wrestling preference, Marquardt says that he will not be held down:
"We're there to fight, not hold each other on the ground for half-an-hour. I don't know what he can think of for a game plan for me. He's not going to hold me down for five rounds. Is that his game plan, to take me down every round and just hold me down? That's not going to happen. He's definitely a boring fighter as far as other guys who let him hold them down."
The July 14, 2012, clash between Marquardt and Woodley will be for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title, which was left by Nick Diaz when he bolted for the greener pastures of the UFC.
Despite being signed to BAMMA, Marquardt has not competed since defeating Dan Miller via decision at UFC 128 on March 19, 2011. Sixteen months is a long time to be away from fighting. Anyone think ring rust will play a major factor in "The Great's" return to action? Or will Woodley prove to be too much for Marquardt either way?
Opinions, please.