Nate “The Great” Marquardt made his Strikeforce debut against Tyron Woodley for the weltweight title last weekend in Portland, Oregon. After 4 rounds, Marquardt was able to dismantle Woodley via TKO strikes and took away his Strikeforce belt. Marquardt’s drop to 170 pounds has made his confidence level go up while still being physically faster and stronger in this weight class. He understands the possibility of someday fighting his friend and training partner Georges St Pierre if somehow they are to cross paths down the road.
From a recent interview with Nate Marquardt:
“That’s the reason why I dropped down. I felt like when I am lighter, I’m faster, I have better endurance and I didn’t lose any power or strength. I feel better, I feel like a better athlete. I feel like it I was going to fight at (1)85, I would cut down in weight, getting my body lean and I’m going to be a better athlete…I have competed everywhere in the world and I know my skills and abilities. Of course, I have to prove that I am the best, but I truly feel that I am the best. You got believe you are the best if you are the fighter. If you don’t believe you’re the best, then why are you doing it, you know? I got to believe that, and of course I believe I am better than everyone else, so. It’s not a shot at Georges, personally. You, know, we have talked about it, but we will have to cross that bridge when we get there. It’s, we know it is a possibility so. Yes, if that’s, how it has to be, then so be it.”