Nate Marquardt vs. Vitor Belfort at UFC 109? (Update)

by Zak Woods on Dec 2, 2009 9:16 AM EST in Rumors

This past week's revelation that Anderson Silva would be unable to fight at UFC 109 plus the UFC's ongoing matchmaking woes made it inevitable that Zuffa would offer Vitor Belfort a new fight.

According to Fighter's Only that is exactly what happened.

Vitor Belfort has been offered a number one contender bout with Nate Marquardt.

Marquardt was scheduled to fight on the 109 card against Chael Sonnen, thus it appears safe to assume that a possible Belfort-Marquardt fight would take place on the February card.

If the Fighter's Only report ends up being true then it will be an ironic development as Silva's camp was unhappy with the prospects of fighting Belfort --who has only one fight in the Octagon since his return to the UFC-- and Silva's camp had initially wanted Marquardt to fight Dan Henderson in a number one contender bout.

It looks like Anderson Silva and Ed Soares got what they wanted all along.

[Update: Note by Zak Woods, 12/02/09 9:15 AM EST ]

Heavy.com is reporting that there is no truth to the Belfort vs. Marquardt rumor.

[Update #2: Note by Zak Woods, 12/02/09 10:25 AM EST ]

Belfort comments on the rumor,

"Look, as far as I know the UFC still didn't give me any opponent, but Marquardt would be a good one. They still didn't talk to me. Nobody got through to me so far. But if this rumor is sounding off that's because it must be serious. I think Nate is an excellent athlete. He has good takedowns, is a strong guy and strikes well too. It's a good fight to raise my name in this category."

HT: MMA Mania

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Love this fight. I am not sure Marquardt can win this one actually, unless his striking defense has improved by quite a bit. His last few fights he was basically throwing these big overhands that left him open like crazy, I think Vitor takes advantage of that pretty quick and KO him. If he manages to get close enough and takes Vitor to the ground I am not sure what kind of advantage he has either passed the takedown… Lay and pray victory is the only one I see with Marquardt winning…

by blawa on Dec 1, 2009 3:12 PM EST reply actions

I'll allow it!

I agree with you on that. Nate’s got to be a Vitor sweater to get a win… but Vitor will most likely get the win convincingly.

"I want an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin." -Ace Rothstein

by Greenbeard on Dec 1, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

Almost any other photo of Vitor might be in better taste…

by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 1, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

couldnt agree more

what ass hole did that?

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Dec 1, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

What is in bad taste?

by asa on Dec 1, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

I was an idiot and used a pic of Vitor holding a pic of his sister in my rush to get the news up

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Dec 1, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks to Soares’ evil behind-the scenes plots and schemes we’re still getting a great MW fight that means something.

Dan Henderson? Oh well, what can you say, what can you do?

Check out my recent MMA drawings on my blog, drop a comment, or subscribe via RSS for updates http://www.scritchandscratch.com/blog/?tag=mma

by VeeisAnimated on Dec 1, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

good fight. i really like both guys a lot. im leaning towards vitor in this. after seeing marquart dumped hard by leitas of all people i can only imagine what happens when vitor hits him. then again this is the best opponent vitor has fought since his recent string of wins so should be interesting.

@mikefareri on twitter.

by sonofapsycho on Dec 1, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions