UFC on Versus 4: Weight Drop Doesn’t Faze Nate Marquardt Heading into Fight with Rick Story

Nate Marquardt steps into the main event at UFC on Versus 4 not only with the weight of a headlining bout on his shoulders, but also the prospect of fighting for the first time in a new weight class in the Octagon.

A staple of the middleweight division since his UFC debut in 2005, Marquardt has bumped up against realizing his dream, a UFC championship, several times at 185 pounds, only to fall short.

Noticing how much better he felt at a lighter walking around weight, he decided to give the welterweight class a go. He has no easy first fight at his new weight, stepping into the Octagon with Rick Story, who has quickly risen up the ranks of the division.

Their fight on June 26 in Pittsburgh will be a proving ground for both fighters, determining who will take the next steps up the UFC welterweight ladder.

Marquardt’s friend and teammate, Georges St-Pierre, waits at the top of that ladder. Marquardt spoke with MMAWeekly.com about his upcoming fight with Story, his decision to make the drop to 170 pounds, and what his St-Pierre had to say about the move.