Nate Marquardt

Nate Marquardt
Nate Marquardt
Born	April 20, 1979 (age 47); Lander, Wyoming, U.S.
Occupation	Mixed martial artist
Years active	1999–2013 (at least)
Known for	Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, three-time Pancrase Middleweight Champion, UFC competitor

Nathan Joel Marquardt (born April 20, 1979) is a seasoned American mixed martial artist who has competed in both the middleweight and welterweight categories within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Beginning his professional journey in 1999, he has held titles such as the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship and is a three-time Pancrase Middleweight Champion.

Background

Born in Lander, Wyoming, Marquardt’s heritage includes a German father and a Welsh mother. He grew up alongside four siblings in Denver, Colorado. His father served as a Lutheran pastor, worked in construction, and was a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, his mother was employed as a nurse and managed an attorney’s office. The family relocated frequently due to his father’s occupations, living in places such as Chicago, Illinois, and Indiana. Following his parents’ separation when he was eight years old, Marquardt made his home in Colorado.

At the age of 15, he commenced training in various martial arts disciplines including Wing Chun Kung Fu, Japanese Jujutsu, Freestyle Wrestling, and Kenpo Karate. His fighting approach was heavily influenced by competing under Sheldon Marr in Pancrase. Marr, based in Colorado, co-founded the World Combat JuJitsu Association and boasts achievements like Junior National Judo Champion and California State Wrestling Champion. He has received honors from Jujitsu America and several martial arts halls of fame and has coached U.S. teams in World Pankration and Grappling competitions.

Marquardt further developed his skills under the tutelage of Shane Pitts in Colorado, from whom he earned a black belt in Japanese jujutsu. Pitts established the Law Enforcement Ground Tactics System and holds five black belts, with accolades including World Masters Judo Champion and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Pan American Masters Division Champion. Marquardt’s training also included sessions with Mike Van Arsdale and experience at Tokyo’s GRABAKA Dojo under Sanae Kikuta for Pancrase preparation. While attending Wheat Ridge High School, he participated in basketball and soccer and began studying Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 18 with instructor Ricardo Murgel.

Pancrase

Marquardt launched his professional MMA career in 1999, securing multiple victories before competing in the Bas Rutten Invitational 4 tournament, which offered a UFC contract to its champion. Although he won the tournament, Marquardt was not extended a UFC contract afterward. Instead, he signed with Japan’s Pancrase, an organization famed for fighters such as Ken Shamrock and Bas Rutten. His debut fight there resulted in a submission loss to Genki Sudo.

He later participated in a middleweight elimination tournament within Pancrase, where he defeated opponents including Daiju Takase, Kiuma Kunioku, and Shonie Carter to become the inaugural middleweight King of Pancrase. After successfully defending this title twice, he lost it to Kunioku in December 2001 but reclaimed it one year later in December 2002, maintaining the championship for close to twelve months.

On November 30, 2003, Marquardt was involved in an incident following a match against Ricardo Almeida. After submitting to a guillotine choke, Almeida continued applying pressure beyond the tap-out, which led Marquardt to respond physically. The situation escalated until both fighters’ corners intervened—including Renzo Gracie—and concluded with Marquardt offering congratulations to Almeida.

Following Almeida’s vacancy of the title in July 2004, Marquardt regained the championship by defeating Kazuo Misaki at Pancrase: Brave 10. On May 1, 2005, he captured the Pancrase Middleweight Championship for a record seventh time by overcoming Izuru Takeuchi, becoming the sole fighter to reach this achievement.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Marquardt made his UFC debut on August 6, 2005, headlining the first-ever UFC Ultimate Fight Night event in Las Vegas. He secured a unanimous decision victory against UFC veteran Ivan Salaverry. However, a post-fight drug screening revealed elevated levels of nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, resulting in a suspension imposed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Marquardt maintained that he had only consumed over-the-counter supplements. Initially suspended for six months, the penalty was later shortened to five months, and he was reinstated in January 2006.

He returned to the octagon at UFC 58 facing Joe Doerksen, where he won by unanimous decision and announced his intention to challenge reigning UFC Middleweight Championship titleholder Rich Franklin. On October 10, 2006, at Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3: The Final Chapter, Marquardt submitted Crafton Wallace with a rear-naked choke. During that same month, he vacated his Pancrase Middleweight Championship to concentrate fully on his UFC career.

At UFC Fight Night 8, Marquardt dominated ADCC champion grappler Dean Lister, winning via unanimous decision with two judges scoring the fight 30-25.

Middleweight title shot

Following an undefeated 4-0 streak in the UFC, Marquardt earned a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship against Anderson Silva at UFC 73 on July 7, 2007. He was defeated by TKO due to strikes at 4:50 in the opening round.

Road back to title contention

Amid rumors that his UFC contract might not be renewed, Marquardt confirmed signing a new deal with the promotion. He was slated to face Thales Leites at UFC 81, but Leites withdrew because of injury. Veteran fighter Jeremy Horn stepped in as a replacement, and Marquardt secured a second-round victory via guillotine choke.

Eventually, Marquardt met Leites at UFC 85, a bout delayed twice since 2006. Despite controlling much of the fight, Marquardt lost a narrow split decision after receiving two point deductions for illegal strikes—penalties that ultimately cost him the match and handed Leites a title opportunity against Anderson Silva. Subsequently, Marquardt defeated Martin Kampmann at UFC 88 with a first-round TKO in just 82 seconds.

At UFC 95, Marquardt earned a third-round TKO over Brazilian competitor Wilson Gouveia, solidifying his position as a top contender. He followed this with a first-round knockout of undefeated submission expert Demian Maia at UFC 102, which garnered him a $60,000 Knockout of the Night bonus.

Marquardt was scheduled to battle Dan Henderson for the number one contender spot; however, Henderson departed for Strikeforce. Instead, Marquardt faced wrestler Chael Sonnen at UFC 109, losing by unanimous decision after multiple takedowns despite attempting a late guillotine choke. The bout earned him a $60,000 Fight of the Night award.

A planned matchup against Alessio Sakara at UFC 116 was canceled due to Sakara’s family emergency. Marquardt’s subsequent fight against Rousimar Palhares was rescheduled as the main event for UFC Fight Night 22. He won via first-round TKO after escaping Palhares’ heel-hook attempt; allegations of greasing were investigated and dismissed by officials and commentator Joe Rogan. Marquardt attributed his slick appearance to extensive warm-up routines prior to the contest.

Less than seven days later, Marquardt stepped in for Vitor Belfort to face Yushin Okami in a middleweight title eliminator at UFC 122, where he lost by unanimous decision. He was then expected to fight Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 128, but after Akiyama withdrew, Marquardt fought and defeated Dan Miller by unanimous decision instead.

Transition to welterweight and UFC release

Following his victory over Miller, teammate Georges St-Pierre recommended that Nate move down to the welterweight class. Marquardt was slated to make his welterweight debut against Anthony Johnson on June 26, 2011, at UFC on Versus 4, but Johnson withdrew because of injury and was replaced by Rick Story. On the day of the weigh-ins, Marquardt withdrew after failing to obtain medical clearance. The UFC confirmed he did not meet the necessary physical requirements, and Dana White later revealed that Marquardt was released due to not fulfilling "medical requirements."

On June 28, 2011, during an appearance on MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Nate disclosed that in August 2010 he had been diagnosed with low testosterone and subsequently started hormone replacement therapy. After applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption, the New Jersey commission mandated a ten-week cessation of therapy before retesting. Both medical experts agreed that his treatment was warranted due to low hormone levels. To prepare for the bout against Story, his physician administered testosterone to quickly elevate his levels. However, the Pennsylvania commission's regulations were not satisfied in time for clearance, resulting in his suspension. Marquardt stated that follow-up testing conducted on fight day demonstrated compliance, which led to the lifting of his suspension.

BAMMA

Once the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission lifted his suspension, Marquardt signed with leading British promotion BAMMA, drawn by their commitment to self-regulation through rigorous medical screening and drug testing despite lacking official government sanctioning. He was scheduled to debut at BAMMA 9: Marquardt vs Yoshida on February 11, 2012, competing for the inaugural BAMMA World Welterweight Championship. However, on January 13, 2012, Marquardt’s contract was terminated after BAMMA postponed the event to March 24, 2012.

Strikeforce

Marquardt inked a deal with Strikeforce, making his first appearance at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy against Tyron Woodley for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. He claimed the title by knocking out Woodley in the fourth round. His initial defense occurred at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine on January 12, 2013, where he lost the championship via unanimous decision to Tarec Saffiedine.

Return to UFC and retirement

Marquardt re-entered UFC competition facing off against Jake Ellenberger at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013, suffering a knockout defeat in the first round. Subsequent fights included a first-round knockout loss to Héctor Lombard at UFC 166, followed by a successful return to middleweight against James Te-Huna at UFC Fight Night 43, where he secured a first-round submission victory and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

He went on to face several opponents: a unanimous decision defeat to Brad Tavares at UFC 182, a TKO loss against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 188, and a second-round knockout triumph over C. B. Dollaway at UFC on Fox 17. At UFC 198, Marquardt was knocked out in round one by Thiago Santos. He bounced back with a second-round knockout win over Tamdan McCrory at UFC Fight Night 96, earning another Performance of the Night award.

Following this, Marquardt experienced unanimous decision losses to both Sam Alvey at UFC on Fox 23 and Vitor Belfort at UFC 212, with many observers believing he had done enough to win the latter contest. His final fight resulted in a split decision loss against Cezar Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 120. On December 28, 2017, Marquardt announced his retirement after an 18-year professional career spanning 56 MMA bouts.

Resumption of Competition

After nearly four years away from the sport, Marquardt made a comeback on August 6, 2021, at Titan FC 71, where he secured a victory over Michael Cora by executing an armbar submission in the first round. Subsequently, on October 23, 2021, he competed against Valdir Araujo at XMMA 3 but was defeated via TKO following a body kick and punches.

Personal Life

Marquardt is married and welcomed his first child with his spouse on May 18, 2010. Additionally, he has a daughter named Emmalie from a previous relationship. His elder brother is an active member of the United States Air Force.

A devout Christian, Marquardt has expressed that his religious faith stands as the most significant element in his life.

Beyond his fighting career, he has appeared briefly in other media, including a cameo role in MC Hammer's music video for the Jay-Z diss track "Better Run Run" and a minor acting part portraying Karl "The Dane" Kruller in the 2011 film Warrior.

Titles and Achievements

Strikeforce
- Held the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship once
- Participated in the final bout in Strikeforce’s history (Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine)
Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Headlined the inaugural UFC Fight Night event
- Earned Knockout of the Night honors once
- Received Fight of the Night recognition once
- Awarded Performance of the Night twice
- Ranks fourth for most fights in UFC Middleweight division history (23)
- Shares third place for most finishes in UFC Middleweight division history (9)
- Holds third place for longest top position time in UFC Middleweight division history (59:23)
- Third highest number of knockdowns delivered in UFC Middleweight division history (12)
- Second best takedown accuracy percentage in UFC Middleweight division history (58.9%)
- Tied for third most submission attempts in UFC Middleweight division history (14)
- UFC.com Distinctions
  - In 2009: Placed #9 Fighter of the Year, #5 Knockout of the Year, and #8 Knockout of the Year
Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling
- Three-time Pancrase Middleweight Champion, first to hold this title
- Winner of the 2002 Pancrase Spirit Tour
- Champion of the 2000 King of Pancrase Middleweight Tournament
Ring of Fire
- Captured the Ring of Fire Middleweight Championship once in 2000
World Vale Tudo Federation
- Secured the World Vale Tudo Federation Championship once in 1999
Bas Rutten Invitational
- Claimed the Bas Rutten Invitational 4 Lightweight Championship once in 1999
Rumble In The Rockies
- Won the I.M.A. Rumble In The Rockies Championship once in 1999
MMAMania.com
- Recipient of the True Warrior Award in 2010
Fight Matrix
- Honored as Fighter of the Year in 2000

Mixed Martial Arts Record

| align=center | 32–10–2 
| Tyron Woodley 
| KO (elbows and punches) 
| Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy 
|  
| align=center | 4 
| align=center | 1:39 
| Portland, Oregon, United States 
| .

|- ... [earlier bouts summarized with emphasis on championship contests and key wins] ... |- Win

| align=center | 10–1 
| Shonie Carter 
| Decision (unanimous) 
| 2000 in Pancrase#Pancrase: 2000 Anniversary Show 
|  
| align=center | 2 
| align=center | 3:00 
| Yokohama, Japan 
| .

|-

Win

| align=center | 1–0 
| Mike Lee 
| Submission (rear-naked choke) 
| World Vale Tudo Federation - Durango 
|  
| align=center | 2 
| align=center | 2:13 
| Durango, Colorado, United States 
| .

External links

Fighter profile of Nate Marquardt at the UFC