Can Nate Marquardt be Redeemed?
This past weekend saw the return of controversial MMA fighter Nate “The Great” Marquardt to competition for the first time since March 19, 2011. Marquardt has since then lost his UFC contract due to elevated testosterone levels, which forced his withdrawal on weigh in day for his UFC on Versus 4 bout with Rick Story which was to be his Welterweight debut. After a public humiliation regarding steroid abuse allegations, some coming from his then former boss in Dana White, Nate faced the music on The MMA Hour about why he elected to take Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Nate stated he had applied and received exemption, however at the time of the test his testosterone count was outside mandated levels. He was tested after his removal from the bout, on fight day and was within the levels; therefore his suspension was lifted by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission.
Nate signed with BAMMA, a UK based promotion however he never debuted due to his fight dates being pushed back and rumours the promotion could not afford him leading to a mutual termination of contract. So Nate found himself signing with Strikeforce, the second tier MMA organization under the Zuffa umbrella, for a Welterweight debut in a bare division. This past weekend, Nate took out the undefeated champion Tyrone Woodley in the fourth round by TKO in a punishing combination of elbows and uppercuts against the cage. Nate Marquardt came back straight from the wilderness into a title fight and is now the champion. The question now that Nate is back in the spotlight; will Nate be able to shake the tag of a cheater?
The criticism of Marquardt has come from promoters, media, fans and fighters. The interesting thing about this whole situation is the landscape of MMA has changed significantly in the past twelve months, partially due to Nate and the TRT issue. Nate is not the first to be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for testosterone. Some fighters which have preceded Nate are Dan Henderson, Todd Duffee and Shane Roller. Fighters which have followed Nate are Forrest Griffin, Frank Mir, Quinton Jackson and Chael Sonnen. Nate however became the face of the TRT storm, a tag I am sure he would hate. There are arguments for and against TRT; the common thread of argument is TRT is unnecessary for athletes of this age unless they previously abused steroids. Recent evidence put forward by Dr. Daniel F. Kelly into head trauma in athletes may suggest a similar reduction in the bodies’ ability to produce testosterone after multiple concussions, which is certainly of interest not just in combative sports but any sport where head injury is common in order to understand prevention and treatment. This is just one of several studies coming forward to support this argument and while not conclusive yet, should this be proven to be fact it could explain why fighters who have been in wars may be suffering from low testosterone without abusing steroids at a relatively young age.
Nate tested positive for Nandrolone after his UFC debut against Ivan Salaverry at the first UFC Fight Night. In an interesting and unusual case, Nate eventually served just a five month suspension after he claimed it came from an over the counter supplement. I would love to know the circumstances which led to such a short suspension, not much longer than the medical suspension he would have served post fight anyway. Nate does have a track record however the second offense seems less than Chael Sonnen’s post UFC 117 suspension which on fight day had Chael at almost 4 times the allowable testosterone in his system. Had Nate been able to fight, he would have been in limit on fight day. It seems like of the two Nate carries the higher heat over a similar offense.
I do not condone drug cheats, far from it. I believe in suspensions of a year for drug cheats as a mandatory minimum. Nate’s five month suspension was grossly inadequate. A message needs to be sent and despite his immediate suspension lift, Nate spent over a year without a fighting pay check so I consider his sentence served. He has a family to support and ultimately they are the ones which suffer the most. We can move on and write a fighter off but these fighters are usually the breadwinner and when they are on the sidelines their children pay the price. They have to take the responsibility for the harm they have caused. I am however an advocate of doubling suspensions for repeat offences, two year minimums. I understand perhaps supplements contain bad products but if this is the case, go natural. If you need therapy, get it from a reputable doctor (take note Alistair Overeem).
My point is now he is licenced, I have no issue with him. He lost thousands of dollars in earnings, rehired in a lower organization against shallower competition and on a lower wage. His reputation has taken a smashing, he has lost a year of his athletic career despite being cleared by the commission to compete just days after the indiscretion. He has addressed the issue multiple times and done so respectfully and so the time has come to let him get on with his career. The past weekend shows he still has it.
He is not the worst offender in MMA, which distinction goes to Strike
force’s own Josh Barnett, whose failed drug test prior to the first Affliction killed the card and the organisation. He has failed three times, confirmed post fight drug test failures and yet still fights. Time seems to lessen the pain, as Josh is getting big fights and big pay checks despite the track record. Nate has by his own admission removed himself from TRT and sought other ways to overcome the problem. He deserves to come under intense testing, more so than other athletes in order to prove his word because as we know, it is one thing to say you’re the most tested athlete in the world, it’s another to pass every test (Alistair, take note again). If Nate claims he is clean and fails again, I would advocate an immediate two year suspension and if it drives him from the sport, so be it.
The challenge lies now for Mr Marquardt to get into the cage and destroy whoever is placed in front of him. Tell anyone who will listen or question him that he will submit to testing anytime, anywhere to prove himself. Should he keep training hard and keep a busy fight schedule it will not be long before Nate clears out the Welterweight division, Strike Force’s Welterweight division only has a handful of fighters who will pose a challenge. Despite denials to the contrary, I believe Strike Force will fold once they have filled their contractual obligations in the future. Rather than adding divisions Zuffa are removing them or allowing them to deplete to a point of irrelevance though some divisions are strong still. I would not be surprised should Marquardt prove dominance and a finisher with a lengthy reign as champ if he found himself back in the UFC in a few years’ time. Time heals some wounds and while Dana made claims Nate would never be back, he seems to like the man as a person, perhaps it will be enough to overcome the past.
Am I a fan of Nate? On occasions, yes I am a fan. I do enjoy his style. I would not campaign for his return though. I feel he is more than capable of putting on performances which will keep him relevant and pushing his own case. Nate is only 33 years old and still have several years of top level competition left in him so there is an upside. Nate has run the gauntlet on public flak for TRT because he was a fairly lonesome target out there when the situation came to light. Fighters like Forrest Griffin and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson should thank someone like Nate who took the heat early. These two fighters have had some backlash over their decision to pursue TRT and while we are not yet desensitised to it yet, it is easier for them now since more are coming forward with it.
History will look back on Nate Marquardt for many things; some dominant wins, first ever seven time King of Pancrase mixed with failure to capture a UFC title and more damning, his dismissal from the UFC. The tale of Nate ‘The Great’ is not over yet, the ending chapters not yet written. I strongly doubt Nate will be looked upon fondly when he hangs them up, which is probably justified too. If he handles himself with class in his final few years, there is nothing more he can do but let the fans decide his fate. Perhaps I am a sucker for a comeback of the damned. Hell, I am rooting for Chris Leben to make a successful comeback from drug addiction if only to get his life in order. Everyone gets a second chance: Nate has had his already. It’s up to him to make it count. No more TRT, no Nandrolone Nate. Get it together, stay clean and fight and maybe you will clear your name. If you screw up again there is no chance for redemption and make no mistake, you will not deserve it either.
By Alex Durward.
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