Nate Marquardt is hanging up his gloves after 18 years as a professional MMA fighter.
The former Strikeforce champion and onetime UFC middleweight title challenger today announced his retirement in a post on his personal blog, www.natemarquardt.com, acknowledging his accomplishments and setbacks over a long and fruitful career.
“I have had many accomplishments and victories as well as many trials and upsets in my career,” Marquardt (35-19-2 MMA, 13-12 UFC) wrote. “I have won 4 world titles and I have subsequently lost three of them. I have had many winning and losing streaks. I have battled chronic injuries and had 6 surgeries. I have learned that I can trust God in every situation and need to put him first.
“After 22 years as an athlete in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, I believe God is calling me in another direction.”
Marquardt, 38, leaves with a professional record of 35-19-2. He most recently appeared in the UFC’s octagon this past month at UFC Fight Night 120, where he lost a split decision to Cezar Ferreira. The setback marked his third consecutive defeat in the promotion, which re-signed him following a stint in the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion, where he won the welterweight title by knocking out current UFC champ Tyron Woodley.
The past four years of Marquardt’s second UFC stint were the rockiest of his career. He went 3-8 in the octagon and suffered four losses by knockout or TKO.
Earlier in his career, Marquardt showed flashes of brilliance. He once stopped three straight notables in the octagon, pounding out Martin Kampmann, Wilson Gouveia and future two-time title challenger Demian Maia.
He also earned the middleweight title in the long-running Japanese MMA promotion Pancrase as well as in other regional promotions.
A four-fight winning streak in his early UFC career led to middleweight title shot against now-former champ Anderson Silva at UFC 73. After a spirited early effort, he was stopped in the first round. During a pair of subsequent title runs, he fell short in pivotal matchups against Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami, leading UFC President Dana White to proclaim he was a “choker” who fell short in big fights.
Despite his setbacks, Marquardt leaves the octagon with several notable accomplishments. His 23 UFC middleweight fights are the second most in divisional history behind ex-champ Michael Bisping, who has 24. His 13 middleweight victories are tied with Okami for third most in divisional history behind Bisping (16) and former titleholder Anderson Silva (14). And his nine stoppage victories at middleweight competition are tied with Chris Leben for second most in divisional history behind Silva (11).
Marquardt, a longtime Denver resident, said he will remain in the sport as a coach and owner of a “sports ministry,” Resurrection Jiu-Jitsu. A devout Christian, he also said he is pursuing a degree at a seminary school.
Here is Marquardt’s full post:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Since I became a Christian, this has been one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Jesus said we must become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. The humility that a child has is shown in their dependency on and trust in their parents. I have had many accomplishments and victories as well as many trials and upsets in my career. I have won 4 world titles and I have subsequently lost three of them. I have had many winning and losing streaks. I have battled chronic injuries and had 6 surgeries. I have learned that I can trust God in every situation and need to put him first. After 22 years as an athlete in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, I believe God is calling me in another direction.
“I want to thank everyone that has supported me throughout my career, including the UFC, Strikeforce and Pancrase. I have many fans that have stuck by me in the ups and the downs and I want you to know that I really appreciate it. I have been blessed to work with so many of the best coaches and training partners in the world and I have much gratitude for every moment of it. I cherish all the relationships that have been formed through this that sport we love. I am exceedingly grateful for those closest to me: my coaches, teammates, friends, wife and family. Above all, I thank God for his provision, protection, patience and guidance through my career.
“I am also happy to say that I will still be involved in MMA on many levels. I will continue training in all aspects of MMA and I will also continue to run my sports ministry, Resurrection Jiu-Jitsu. I am currently pursuing a degree at Gateway Seminary, and I plan on using my experience in MMA and the UFC on the mission field. At this point, my family and I are praying for direction for where God is leading us globally and by what means. Wherever and however we go, I believe God will use MMA in some capacity, either teaching at a gym, coaching fighters, running a sports ministry, and/or teaching seminars. Either way, we are excited for this next season in our life as a family and we are confident that God is directing our paths!”
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