Nate Marquardt blames hormone replacement therapy for UFC on Versus 4 scratch
Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen have much more in common than a fight at UFC 109.
Marquardt revealed today that he, too, suffers from a testosterone deficiency for which he took prescribed testosterone and sought a therapeutic exemption to continue his career.
That exemption, as it turns out, proved to be his undoing at UFC on Versus 4. When Marquardt did not deliver on a promise to produce the exemption for the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission, he was not medically cleared to fight.
Marquardt explained the unfortunate circumstances during Tuesday's edition of "The MMA Hour" on MMAFighting.com. He and his representatives had declined comment until the appearance on the program.
Marquardt said he first noticed a change in his health this past August and received clearance from his primary doctor to undergo hormone replacement therapy. He added that the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, which oversaw his previous bout against Dan Miller at UFC 128, approved his testosterone therapy.
Following Marquardt's removal from this past Sunday's card, PAC Executive Director Greg Sirb told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the fighter had been placed on indefinite medical suspension until he met the state's requirements for licensure. While he declined to discuss the details of the suspension, he added that Marquardt had been given six weeks to resolve the issue which caused it.
"He needs to show us a new report," Sirb said. "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."
Prior to today's disclosure, rumors had run wild about the circumstances surrounding Marquart's denial, which prompted UFC president Dana White to permanently fire him from the UFC. Initial speculation pointed to a weight-cutting problem, as it was the fighter's first appearance at welterweight. Then, predictably, talk shifted to possible performance-enhancer use and a possible failed drug test.
Those rumors were shot down when a video shot during Marquardt's weight cut showed him making the 170-pound limit without issue, and Sirb's disclosure that the fighter had not popped positive prior to the event.
Marquardt was replaced just hours before the weigh-ins for UFC on Versus 4 by Charlie Brenneman, who ended up winning a huge upset victory over the highly touted Rick Story.
During the "UFC on Versus 4 Pre-Fight Show," a statement was released by Marquardt and his representatives.
"Nate wants to apologize to his family, friends and fans of the UFC," the statement read. "This outcome was certainly not what he wanted. At this time, Nate wants to be with those closest to him so he can evaluate his situation over the coming days."
Sonnen, who outpointed Marquardt at UFC 109, was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission following his decision loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117. In an appeal of the suspension, he revealed his use of prescribed testosterone as a treatment for hypogonadism and argued that he had properly disclosed his use to the commission. His suspension was later halved from one year to six months, and he was fined $2,500.
Marquardt was 6-3 as a middleweight before deciding to drop to the welterweight division.
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