What Happened To Nate Marquardt At UFC 122?

Added on Nov 16, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

I am not really sure what to say about Nate Marquardt. I wouldn’t go as far as Dana White did, when he said Nate chokes in big fights, but I have to wonder what happened to the guy. His UFC 122 fight was painful to watch. The entire time he was back pedaling, and trying to catch Yushin Okami with the hay maker that he knows can knock a lot of people out. However, while you are waiting for that shot, you still need to win rounds in case the shot never comes. I know how hard he worked to get back up to the top in order to get in line for a shot at middleweight champion Anderson Silva, and thats why I was just winded after the fight. What was he thinking?

I was furious when I went to see the strike totals after the fight, and what I found was appalling. Nate landed a total of 27 strikes. Thats it. In a 15 minute fight, he landed 27. Now, I know Okami wasn’t exactly throwing hands the whole time either, but he was also controlling the center of the cage and pressuring Nate the whole time. By weight of comparison, and yes I know they are different fighters, Cain Velasquez landed 42 shots on Brock Lesnar in their UFC 121 fight. That fight didn’t even last a round.

What really pushed me over the edge about this fight, was wen he said in the press conference he thought he won this fight. This wasn’t a close fight, and I know Okami put on a mediocre performance as well, but I find it hard to give Nate any rounds let alone 2 out of 3.

This fight was a case of two guys who had a ton to lose, and neither wanted to take big chances. However, at some point you have to come forward, and take some shots to give some. Where as Okami was landing combinations, Nate was throwing one or two at a time. He was never coming forward Okami enough to demonstrate any type of control. He was fighting not to lose, and I hope other fighters see where that got him. When two guys fight that cautiously it takes very little to win a fight, and thats what we saw in the main event that night. Both guys have either been promised, or were on the doorstep of having a fight Anderson Silva more then once, and Nate already had one. I can appreciate not having it taken away again by doing something stupid, but you still have to fight.

Part of blame belongs in the lap of Greg Jackson, and Jackson MMA. If Nate followed the game plan they set up for him, then that was a poor performance on their part. Also, if at any point they told Nate he was winning that fight, then they need glasses. I talk to fighters all the time who say “even if its close, I want you to tell me I’m getting my ass kicked out there,” because thats the type of thing that motivates them. I don’t want to take anything away from Okami, but it really seems like Nate squandered and opportunity. I really hope he can climb his way back up, and pile up some wins.