Nate Marquardt released by the UFC, on indefinite suspension
“”So I’m here at the weigh-ins, I’m sure you heard that Nate Marquardt is out; it’s true. He failed his…
“”So I’m here at the weigh-ins, I’m sure you heard that Nate Marquardt is out; it’s true. He failed his medicals. Not only is he out of this fight and out of the main event on Versus, he will no longer be with the UFC.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a hectic afternoon in which sources told MMAjunkie.com Marquardt “did not receive medical clearance” and was pulled from a planned main-event bout with Rick Story. Charlie Brenneman was quickly tapped as a last-minute replacement, and a heavyweight bout between Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry was promoted to the evening’s featured slot.
Marquardt has yet to speak publicly on the matter.
Ariel Helwani tweeted about what Pennsylvania AC executive director Greg Sirb said regarding Nate Marquardt:
Nate failed the medical requirements for the fight and was put on suspension by the PA athletic commission until he provides a medical report showing that he’s satisfied those requirements. He was given every opportunity to meet the requirements up until Saturday at 3 pm. The Athletic commission is not free to disclose what requirements he failed to meet.
The suspension is indefinite. As soon as Marquardt can provide what they are looking for, he will not be suspended anymore. Of course, I tried to ask multiple times why he failed the test, but Sirb said that was all he was going to discuss and the rest is up to NM
MMAWeekly provides further details from Sirb:
“Nate has known for probably about a month and a half, he knew the situation, it was no surprise. Everybody (including the UFC) knew. Everybody’s known, I think everybody assumed he was going to be able to qualify. I thought he would (qualify), I really did. We’ve known about it and we gave him every opportunity, the last report we got was 3 o’clock yesterday, we gave him as much leeway as we could, obviously we’ve got a live event, you’ve got to make the call.
“The UFC made the call when we said no he’s not going to meet it. Pretty straight forward stuff. He had to meet these requirements and there were no and, if or buts about it and unfortunately he did not. We can’t say anything, this state is real tight on those types of laws, HIPPA laws are very strict. If Nate’s here, I don’t know if he’s here or not, he’s free to talk.”
The Pennsylvania AC has put Marquardt on suspension until he gets the issues resolved:
“He’s been put on suspension,” Sirb told MMAjunkie.com. “When he meets those requirements, he’ll be taken off. How long of a suspension (it will be) is up to him.”
“We gave him every opportunity. The last report we got was 4 o’clock yesterday. We had given him as much leeway as we could, but obviously, when you’ve got a live event, you’ve got to make a call at that time.
“(It’s) pretty straightforward stuff. You’ve got to meet these requirements, and there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. Unfortunately, he did not. I felt for the kid. I really did. He knew about it, and I think he was trying.”
“He knew the situation, There was no surprise.”
“Everybody knew. I think everybody assumed he was going to be able to qualify.”
“We can’t say anything. The HIPAA laws are really strict.”
“He needs to show us a new report. When that report comes in and he meets our requirements, which could even be tomorrow, we’ll take him off. It could be two months, but it’s an indefinite suspension until he submits that report we’re looking for.”
Dana White ‘disgusted’
“I think it’s pretty clear to the fans and everyone else that I’m disgusted with Nate Marquardt. He’s been cut by the UFC and he won’t fight for the UFC again. Bottom line: What Nate Marquardt did is bad enough to be cut by the UFC.”
“He has no business fighting in the UFC.”
“This is one of those situations where, because of the laws in Pennsylvania, Nate Marquardt is going to have to man up and tell the world why he didn’t pass. And when he does, I think everyone will understand why he was cut from the UFC.”
“I give a lot of guys chances, and a lot of guys make mistakes. Nate Marquardt is one of those guys. So for me to come out and say that Nate Marquardt isn’t going to fight in the UFC anymore, it’s got to be pretty serious.”
Marquardt expresses regret:
I’m sorry to all my fans and the UFC for not passing the medicals for tonight’s fight. I’m heart broken I couldn’t fight, but I will b back
To my loyal fans please show your love & support for me by watching tonight’s UFC Card on Versus
I will personally be addressing all issues regarding my medicals, etc this Tuesday
