MMA Combat - Johnson Out, Story to Face Marquardt
UFC on Versus 4” scheduled for June 26 was supposed to see Anthony Johnson welcoming Nate Marquardt to the UFC's welterweight division, but a rotator cuff injury has forced Johnson out of the bout. Rick Story will step up and take his place in the headliner.
Story just recently won the biggest fight of his career less than one week ago with a UFC 130 victory over Thiago Alves. Story made it clear that he wanted to return to action quickly against marquee opponent, so he called out perennial contender Jon Fitch, who promptly declined the challenge. Now scheduled to face Marquardt, Story still completes each of his stated goals.
After his dominant decision win over Dan Miller at UFC 128: "Shogun vs. Jones" last month, muscle-bound Marquardt shocked just about everyone when he made an off-the-cuff remark that he was toying with the idea of dropping a weight class. He was apparently serious.
Story looks to make it seven in a row in his campaign for a shot at the welterweight title. He's steadily working his way up the ladder, picking off contenders as he goes.
Is it a gamble for Story? Maybe. But taking out a longtime middleweight contender like Marquardt earns the Washington native even more respect in the crowded contender pool at 170. Chael Sonnen used his wrestling to stifle Marquardt at UFC 109, and Story will likely look to do the same on June 26. This will be no easy task for Story, however, as Marquardt will likely enter the octagon with a substantial size advantage.
One thing is for sure: whoever wins this fight is really going to put the welterweight division on notice.
By Adam Carney
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