Marquardt: Firing due to Testosterone Replacement Therapy snafu

Nate Marquardt was fired on Saturday, just 24 hours before his main event at UFC on Versus 4, for failing over a six week period to provide the Pennsylvania SAC with some medically related requirement for him to fight. The nature of the requirement is protected by federal HIPAA rules, and not definitively revealed until 1 p.m. ET today, when the former middleweight number one contender, accompanied by manager Lex McMahon, broke his silence on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.

Marquardt says he was not medically cleared for his UFC on Versus 4 main event versus Rick Story because of a snafu with his Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).

Marquardt said in August of 2010 he began feeling sluggish and that his memory was off. His MD did tests, which came back for a diagnosis of low testosterone. He then received clearance from a physician to undergo Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

He began HRT under a Therapeutic Use Exemption* for his fight against Dan Miller at UFC 128 in New Jersey. The New Jersey SAC, which oversaw the Miller bout, approved the testosterone therapy.

Says he received a letter around Jan or Feb from the New Jersey SAC acknowleding receipt of his TUE, but reporting that the application was incomplete, and that the treatment was not USADA approved. Nate said his MD was using an “off-label” medication.

The New Jersey SAC SACB requires three blood tests and eight weeks off treatment, which he complied with. Says he was off for 10-11 weeks.

Nate explains he felt even worse after going off treatment.

When he restarted treatment after going off for 10-11 weeks, doctor recommended a “more agressive” theray -injections of testosterone rather than the oral regimen he had been on. Previous treatment was two different bills, one three days per week, the other every other day. The pills regulate the pituitary gland that governs testosterone production in the testicles. Taking testosterone for too long, can cause testicles to cease production of testosterone permanently,leading to sterility.

He explains that his mood improved after starting treatment; may have saved his marriage.

Two weeks out from the fight he took a blood test which revealed high levels; on the advice of his MD he stopped the treatment. Never the less, the test he took on the day of the weigh ins was above the limit allowed limit by the Pennsylvania SAC.

Says he “made a mistake” by not requesting a blood test earlier than two weeks before the fight.

Says his blood levels have returned to normal; he and expects to have suspension lifted after a board meeting with the Pennsylvania SAC later this week.

Ariel asks Nate if he’s going to go back to his doctor and question the treatment. Nate says that he isn’t sure it matters at this point.

Nate details tests they ran include brain scans, mono test, blood test for other hormones. He then details possible causes including genetic, problem with testicles, pituitary gland problem. Says he isn’t sure why he personally has low testosterone. Says he is not a doctor, but needs to take responsibility. as he’s the one fighting, not the doctor. Says he is the one that messed up. Nate chokes up.

McMahon says the UFC was “incredibly professional” throughout the process; notes they found out about the release like everyone else through Twitter.

Nate did not watch the fights on Sunday.

Nate is hopeful to return to the UFC. Says he plans on staying at 170 lb.

McMahon notes that other promoters blew up his phone with contract offers.

Marquardt says he relies on his faith in God, and realizes that with his wife, daughters, he’s very blessed.

Nate apologizes to the fans. Feels like he let them down, let his family down, let his sponsors down. Hopes they can forgive him.

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*Therapeutic Use Exemptions:

Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition happens to fall under the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may give that athlete the authorization to take the needed medicine.