Marquardt: I'm Going To Take That Belt

BigBanda · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 11:01 AM

Article on Marquardt's thoughts going into his title fight with Anderson Silva...

Source: http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...3645&zoneid=13

Quote:

“I’m going to take the belt. That’s all there is to it.”

These are the words that Ultimate Fighting Championship’s PR machine wanted to hear a year and a half ago… but they didn’t. These were the words that 7-time Middleweight King of Pancrase Nate Marquardt was supposed to say when he debuted in the main event of the UFC’s first live Fight Night show on Spike TV.

Those words didn’t come from Marquardt’s mouth a year and half ago because he’s not a trash talker. “That’s not trash talking,” says a confident Marquardt. “I see holes in his game and while I’m sure he sees holes in mine, I know I have the best team.”

These are statements that just couldn’t have come from Marquardt at that time, but are coming forth now as he is on the cusp of his first UFC title shot. While he established himself as a world-class fighter in Pancrase, he wasn’t near the fighter that he is today. “I did really well, but Pancrase is where I got my experience, where I learned to fight. But I think what I’m doing now is much better than what I was doing in my Pancrase fights. I’m more proud of what I’m doing now than what I was able to do in Pancrase.”

The difference? His team. When Marquardt made the jump to the UFC, he also made the jump to Greg Jackson’s fight team in New Mexico where he trains with Keith Jardine, Diego Sanchez, Rashad Evans, Joey Villasenor, and many other top fighters.

Greg Jackson is known for producing some of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport today and that is what Marquardt sees as his advantage heading in to challenge UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva on July 7th, his training and his team. “We have very different styles and that’s why it’s going to be a very exciting fight… but I know I have training partners that are better, so he won’t have any surprises for me.”

Marquardt does talk with a more confident tone than when he made his UFC debut, but he still carries that talk with an air of respect. “I respect Anderson, he’s very skilled. From what I can see, he’s the best 185-pound fighter in the UFC… aside from me.”

Marquardt is currently the #8 Middleweight in the MMAWeekly Rankings, while Silva is the #2 Middleweight in the MMAWeekly Rankings.

Marquardt's confidence is always there now, but that’s not to say that Marquardt has lost his perspective of the task before him. “It’s an honor for me. It’s a childhood dream, really. At the same time, I’ve been here before. I’ve been in the UFC before. I’ve been in the title fights before. So I’m not going to get too excited until afterwards.”

Rockx · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 11:06 AM

I believe he is right, he will get that belt. 2 words: Leg Kicks.

Tyler4870 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockx

I believe he is right, he will get that belt. 2 words: Leg Kicks.

1 Leg kick should take out both of those twigs. I have never seen a skinnier pair of stems on a fighter before!

The Iceman · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 12:33 PM

lol Anderson Silva does have very skinny legs. But to get back to the point, I do think that leg kicks could be the answer (Great thinking Rockx). Also if his takedown defense is like it was in the Lutter fight .. take him to the ground! Marquardt has a very,very good chance.

Supe · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 01:13 PM

Should be a hell of a fight. cant wait to see up coming match ups in the MW division. Silva, Marquardt, Franklin, Okami, Swick and others all mixin it up. Gonna be an exciting year.

Gmunit · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 02:10 PM

i believe him

Soul_Edge · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 02:25 PM

Nate has a real good shot. Silva is good off his back but it is definately not where he wants to be. If Nate can stay active I think he can win a decision or get a stoppage. He is a tough SOB.

Noob · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 02:26 PM

It's good that Marquardt sounds confident, but I've got Silva in this one. Skinny legs, leg kicks, no matter what you calculate I don't think it's anything Silva hasn't seen or dealt with before. Especially the leg kicks. Silva wouldn't be as good of a muay thai striker as he is if he couldn't defend leg kicks or if his skinny legs were an issue for him.

Dork8503 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 02:57 PM

I've watched nate fight and the guy likes to stand and bang. Well if he trys that in this fight he will lose. The ground wont be easy for him either. Anderson takes this 3rd round tko, Nate just cant stop him.

i forgot which fighter said this but you come in with a game plan but once you get hit in the face the plan goes out the window. or somthing like that

Tyler4870 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 03:08 PM

It should be a good fight either way, but I'm with Noob. I think Silva is gonna take this one. Marquart is good but has he faced a striker like Silva? I'm thinking 3rd round TKO/ sub by triangle choke.