Photo by Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.
UFC president Dana White told reporters at the UFC on Fox 2 post-press conference media scrum that he is not ready to reconsider Anthony Johnson in the UFC or Strikeforce but he appeared to be slightly more open to a return by Nate Marquardt.
MMA Fighting got White's statements:
"(Johnson) needs to go fight somewhere else, get some wins, come in on weight," White said of Johnson. "He needs to prove to me that he can be a professional, show up on weight and do the things he needs to do. If he does, we can talk."When asked about Marquardt, however, White sounded open to the possibility that he could re-sign with the UFC. ... White was furious at the time, but several months later he sounds willing to forgive and forget.
"I don't dislike Nate," White said. "I like Nate very much. We'll see what happens."
Johnson was fired from the UFC after missing weight by 11 pounds at his UFC 142 co-main event bout against Vitor Belfort. Ironically that was Johnson's first fight at middleweight after struggling to make the 170lb welterweight limit in several previous fights. It was the third time Johnson missed weight for a UFC bout.
Marquardt was fired from the organization right before a scheduled UFC on Versus 4 bout against Rick Story due to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission refusing to license him for the fight. The PSAC's actions stemmed from Marquardt failing a blood test commissioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission who were following up on Marquardt's previous bout against Dan Miller at UFC 128. Marquardt had been allowed to use Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) before that bout and the commission was following up to monitor his hormone levels.
Ironically Johnson and Marquardt were originally scheduled to meet at UFC on Versus 4 but Johnson had to drop out due to injuries. Marquardt signed with the UK's Bamma promotion but they were unable to put a fight together for him and he has been released from his contract.
0 recs | 51 comments
I want to see how much Nate makes off his new UFC contract compared to the old one
I bet you it’s a lot less.
menckenstein - January 27, 2012
Heh heh the ol’ “contract replacement therapy” eh?
Machiel Van - January 27, 2012
CRT is a major problem for fighters Dana used to be juiced on.
Machiel Van - January 27, 2012
He should bring them both back
“Winner gets a contract match”
HitokiriX - January 27, 2012
What weight class?
Welterweight? Middleweight? Rumbleweight? Franklinweight? Light Heavyweight? Heavyweight? Super Heavyweight? Apple Crumbleweight?
Obviously not Moneyweight…
Andy Anderson - January 27, 2012
oh dana..
gxc - January 27, 2012
Vince Mcmahon tactics
After a year or two, anyone is welcome back if they can make you money.
OldBoomBap - January 27, 2012
Unless they bang your daughter
Damnatio Memoriae - January 27, 2012
Then you make him COO.
jpayne - January 27, 2012
Rec'd for truthiness
discoandherpes - January 27, 2012
I would prefer it if Nate just stayed away
Earl Montclair - January 27, 2012
Why?
He’s a top 10 MW. Aside from tanking a main event, how is his doping issue any worse than the dozen or so other guys in the UFC who have been caught?
MS_Dos_Santos - January 27, 2012
He's a WW now
Which makes him a very intriguing case, since he’s a top 4 MW (and could easily be top 3 given how close the Okami fight was). I’d love to see how good WW really is compared to MW.
crazybones - January 27, 2012
he's not a WW....
until he actually fights at 170
F'n Clownshoes - January 27, 2012
never stopped Rumble...
Earl Montclair - January 27, 2012
that was just low...
HitokiriX - January 27, 2012
How many fights for BAMMA?
Machiel Van - January 27, 2012
Oh damn I didn’t know about that.
Machiel Van - January 27, 2012
Zero
Nate hasn’t fought since he beat Dan Miller in the UFC.
RolloTomasi - January 27, 2012
because it is just a matter of time before he screws up again
and I am not saying it is any worse than the other guys.
Earl Montclair - January 27, 2012
Nate puts on fun fights
and can beat any 185er not named Anderson Silva on any given day. I’d like to see him back.
Dave Strummer - January 27, 2012
at first I read this as Kid Nate should stay away from BE
I had a good laugh :P
TylerTreese - January 27, 2012
Predictable, but I'm still glad
Marquardt vs. any top 10-15 fighter is super interesting.
crazybones - January 27, 2012
Time heals most wounds
Can he reconsider insulting Anonymous?
Flashking - January 27, 2012
no but he can bring him in for a one shot deal against Thiago Silva
Earl Montclair - January 27, 2012
ahh, stupid Thiago. if it weren't for his steroids and suspension, he could've been on the Brazil card.
daftshadow - January 27, 2012
Nate vs palhares rematch!
In brazil!
MuyThaiGroinAssault - January 27, 2012 via iPhone app
THIS.
RECE ROCK - January 27, 2012
Paul Harris better start growing out his armpit hair for the rematch!
Snatchl - January 27, 2012
I want to see how Marquardt does at WW.. .bring him back!
Shnak - January 27, 2012
Bellator didn’t want to do any more non-title “superfights” anymore anyway, so the only interesting opponent for Nate outside a Zuffa org could never fight him.
mburtoni - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I thought Nate was fighting Yoshida (which is pointless but nevertheless)
When did he get released from BAMMA. I check this site more than facebook and I don’t recall ever seeing that
1N87 - January 27, 2012
he asked for his release
BAMMA was taking way t long to get BAMMA 9 up and scheduled. Nate asked to be released from his contract and BAMMA granted it.
F'n Clownshoes - January 27, 2012
Perhaps “we’ll see what happens” means they’re already talking.
Machiel Van - January 27, 2012
Remember folks, when Dana White says "You're gone forever"
It means “See you in a few months”.
If the justice system ran like Dana White’s mind, most prisoners on life sentences would be released after 3 years.
SSreporters - January 27, 2012
I wanted to see Marquardt actually fight outside the ufc
but I wouldn’t mind if he came back.
Tats16 - January 27, 2012
BJ vs Nate?
merryprankster - January 27, 2012
I would like to see Nate back in the UFC.
He’s a decent fighter and I think he just goes to waste outside of the UFC. He would be a good injection (excuse the pun) into the WW division.
I think if Johnson can get his shit together, make weight for a handful of fights, then Dana will take him back, too.
But the one I really want to see return is Paul Daley. If Diaz wins the interim WW belt and Daley holds the Strikeforce WW title, then a rematch between these two would be a great little fight.
@KatanaClothing - January 27, 2012
Paul Daley has no business fighting for a UFC title, interim or otherwise.
Worldisart - January 27, 2012
I'd like to see him back. He's UFC caliber to be sure.
RolloTomasi - January 27, 2012
i bet on maia in that fight
Cunny - January 27, 2012
why?
nate still ha superior stand up
P86 - January 28, 2012
Dana should really consult with his H.R. department and craft a
Policy and Procedure around fighter conduct. Then he could issue suspensions while said offense is investigated. Then if necessary and within the guidlines, release the offender. The Sherrif’s spastic off -the-cuff-on-the-spot-firing of guys is ridiculous
Skoobs - January 27, 2012
Dana rules with an iron fist, ain't gonna happen.
daftshadow - January 27, 2012
Dana's gonna be doing what uncle Fox says more and more
Skoobs - January 27, 2012
it’s going to be hard to do that with a bunch of independent contractors. Other sports have suspensions because the unions agree to them.
Phildo - January 27, 2012
Absolutely agree with you Skoobs
Syncro - January 28, 2012
That is not irony.
but a coincidence.
Democritus - January 27, 2012
bring nate back
have munoz welcome him back in a main event card
rx queen - January 27, 2012
Which means Marquardt will be resigned the UFC shortly.
higgledy-piggledy - January 27, 2012
I think we’ll see Nate back in the UFC in the near-term. Dana was rightfully pissed at him for what happened with the Story fight. I also believe that Dana thinks highly of Nate as a fighter and he wants the best fighters in his promotion. With Nate being released from his contract with BAMMA a couple of weeks ago, I expect it’s only a matter of time before he rejoins the UFC.
mjbaze - January 28, 2012
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