
Any fighter will tell you that their next fight is the biggest fight of their career. For Nate ‘The Great’ Marquardt, it really is. He is heading into 122 to face off in the main event against Yushin Okami. On the line, one big victory and an even bigger promised middle weight title shot against the winner of the forthcoming Anderson Silva/Vitor Belfort fight.
And Marquardt has never felt better and more poised to set his destiny.
“I feel great, 100%. I’m really confident, I’m in great shape, I have a great game plan and I’ve had a great camp,” Marquardt told Around the Octagon on Friday afternoon.

The fight, broadcasting on tape delay on Spike TV and originating from Oberhausen, Germany, marks a new chapter in the veteran’s career. While for many less experienced fighters, the change of fighting on a different continent (excluding the ever present Japanese circuit) would present a problem, but for Marquardt, it’s just a matter of adjusting his internal clock.
“The only thing I’ve done is try and adjust my schedule to get more in tune with Germany’s time,” Marquardt says.
But don’t expect patience from his rather loyal supporters here in the states, as Marquardt has no doubt they won’t have any.
“Oh, they’ll check out the results right away. They won’t wait for the tape delay.”
While every fighter will suggest that they are focused only on the next fight, and Marquardt is no exception, the chance that a title shot and a possible title reign could only be a few months away, is an attractive possibility that he thinks he is ready for.
“I’ve always wanted to be the champion. I understand and am ready for all the challenges and pressures that go with that. But I’ve had those kinds of thought challenges and pressures my entire career,” Marquardt says, sounding as calm as he if were discussing what winter weather in Colorado might do this season.
However, while his tone remains calm throughout, when he’s asked about which opponent he would rather face, should that title shot happen, it was easy to detect a twinge of desire related to avenging his loss at UFC 73.
“I would be more excited to see Anderson Silva retain the title,” he says, pausing before he pointing out, “But I’ll just be most excited to be fighting for the title. No matter what though, I’m focused on Okami right now.”
This isn’t the only exciting thing going on in Marquardt’s life though, having just unveiled the newest work on his legendary 1970 Chevelle.
“I’m more excited for the fight, but I’m very excited about my Chevelle. It’s something I wanted since I was a teenager. My family and my dad were really into old cars like that. My friends all like those muscle cars. When I was in high school, I found a 69’ Chevelle that I wanted that I thought was the coolest car ever. I couldn’t afford it at the time. So later when I could, I looked around and found that the70’ was the coolest ever.”
To get a better look at the car, click here.
While Marquardt is famous for his love of cars, somewhat less known is his faith The Christian fighter goes so far as to list Jesus Christ as his hero on his UFC biography, and is happy to make it clear just what he believes.
“I’m a Christian, and I believe he is the only true hero. He died for our sins.”
Like all mixed martial artists, he has to endure the constant question of how he balances that belief, in what many on the outside of the sport, see as a violent lifestyle.
“It depends on how you define violence. If you just say that any contact is violence, then football or soccer for that matter, are just as violent. It’s a sport, and I’m an athlete. I don’t fight because I hate my opponent; I fight because I love the sport.”
An eloquent and astute point as Marquardt embodies the heart and soul of Mixed Martial Arts. Refinement mixed with brutality, aggression sprinkled with finesse.
Marquardt And Colorado
When his birth in Wyoming is referenced, Marquardt is quick to correct.
“Just a quick point, I was born in Wyoming, but I’ve lived in Colorado pretty much my whole life. I’m from Colorado,” he says without any hint of annoyance, and in such a matter of fact way that anyone hearing it would understand that his body may have been born in one area, but his heart and soul is strictly Colorado native.
Nowhere is that more evident, then in his dedication to the people of Grudge Training Center.
“I get to train and coach with excellent people. They are great guys, we’re like a family, and they’re my brothers.”
Many of those brothers are facing battles themselves, some on ‘The Professionals’ card in Denver the night before UFC 122, some in their own UFC events coming up.
“Good luck to them and I’m confident they’ll all do great,” Marquardt said
They say that to judge a man, you have to speak to those that know him best. No one knows a fighter better than those that fight him, and no one fights, trains, and lives with Marquardt more than the team at Grudge Training Center. Around the Octagon asked various team members and coaching staff to give their opinions on Marquardt, the comments we got back shared a very common thread.
Tervor Wittman-Head Trainter at Grudge Training Center
“I have trained Nate ever since he fought Ivan in his first fight in the UFC. Nate was a vet coming into the UFC. With all the fights he has it is amazing to me that he keeps getting better. This guy is so amazing in every aspect of the game, and when he fights Yushin, I believe he will outclass him.”
Josh Ford-Grudge Pro Fight Team Member (fighting November 12 at The Professionals)
“Just from my point of view, watching Nate train is an unbelievable inspiration. He comes and trains hard every day, works on new stuff just like the young upcoming fighters, always has a smile when not sparring and brings a really positive vibe into the gym with him. Not to mention the fact that he is completely humble and doesn’t hold himself above anyone else at the gym.”
Tyrone Glover-Grudge Pro Fight Team Member (fighting November 12 at The Professionals)
“Nate really embodies why MMA in Colorado is really going places and why this is such a great place to train. He works hard, is always open to learning and improving, trains extremely smart, and always has a super positive attitude. Not to mention he is super accessible and humble. Sometimes I show up early to light weight sparring just so I can catch his last couple rounds. His method and attitude in the gym is really one to model your own after.”
Vinnie Lopez-Grudge Amateur Fight Team Member
“Training with Nate is an unbelievable advantage that we here at The Grudge Training Center enjoy. Nate has accomplished many things in his fight career and still today leads this team by example. His hard work is second to none at this gym. His determination to be the best spreads to each member of our team. He learns every day, and he teaches as well. He takes the time to correct and encourage the younger guys. All in all he’s an inspiration to our team and it’s an honor to train with him.”
Vinny Pallone-Grudge Amateur Fight Team Member (fighting November 12 at The Professionals)
“Training with someone like Nate is truly amazing. His work ethic is second to none and his humble attitude makes it all the more amazing. He is never too big time to help some of the other fighters out and will work with anyone in the room. Nate has earned the right to be a UFC Main event draw by years and years of putting his time in and winning tough fights against good opponents.”
Whatever a person’s relationship to, or perspective on Nate ‘The Great’ Marquardt, his talent, his heart and his dedication to the things and people he loves, cannot be denied. He has earned this place onto the main event, and will be representing his teammates, his faith and all of Colorado at UFC 122 in that main event on November 13 on Spike TV.