Tuesday, February 21, Zuffa announced on Fuel TV programming UFC Tonight the signing of former UFC middleweight title challenger Nate Marquardt (31-10-2) to a Strikeforce contract.
Rumors persist that Marquardt’s first assignment will be none other than welterweight division front-runner Tyron Woodley as the promotion looks to sort out the title picture at 170lbs.
A Grudge Training Center product, Marquardt was bounced from the UFC ranks prior to making his welterweight debut against Rick Story in June of 2011; failing to pass his pre-fight medicals as a result of abnormally high levels of testosterone – triggered by the widely practiced but controversial testosterone replacement therapy treatment – Marquardt was released and later signed by UK-based promotion BAMMA although a fight under the company never materialized.
Narrowly missing the allowable limit after Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission testing, Marquardt recalls waking up the next morning within range to fight and is eager for a return to action:
“My levels were in range that day, and I was ready to fight. I’m ready to fight now. Right now, we’re taking offers, and we’re really looking at what makes sense and what’s going to be an exciting fight for the fans.”
Also inking a new deal, Brazilian slugger Glover Teixeira (17-2-0) has reportedly signed with the UFC. The thirty-two year old veteran is currently riding a fifteen fight winning streak spanning six years and is expected to make his octagon debut early this summer.
Teixeira owns twelve wins by way of knockout and most recently appeared November 27, 2011, when he defeated Ricco Rodriguez on punches just 1:58 into round one.
“My goal is to reach the top 10; I’ll fight anywhere, for any promotion, against anyone. I want to keep my rhythm going. The UFC has the best talent in the world. I want to be the best in the world. Because of that, the UFC is my first choice, my dream.”
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