Just minutes before Nate Marquardt was scheduled to officially weigh-in for his welterweight debut, the former 185-pounder abruptly pulled out of tomorrow night’s “UFC on Versus 4” fight with Rick Story. The heavyweight shootout between Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry, which was originally slated for the co-main event, has been promoted to the card’s main attraction.
Story will now face Charlie Brenneman in a featured bout.
The UFC did not release any information regarding Marquardt’s condition. However, “Nate the Great’s” camp issued a brief statement regarding their client:
“Nate is really disappointed. He really was looking forward to making his welterweight debut, and he plans to be back in there as soon as possible.”
According to reports, Marquardt did not receive medical clearance to fight. Prior to Saturday’s weigh-ins, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan announced Marquardt was pulled because he failed his physical.
“UFC on Versus 4” takes place Sunday inside the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Versus will broadcast the main card live beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT.
Here is the show’s revised roster:
Preliminary Bouts:
(Facebook 4:55PM ET/1:55PM PT)
Michael Johnson vs. Edward Faaloloto
Matt Grice vs. Ricardo Lamas
Charles Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz
Rich Attonito vs. Daniel Roberts
Joe Lauzon vs. Curt Warburton
Joe Stevenson vs. Javier Vazquez
Tyson Griffin vs. Manny Gamburyan
Main Bouts:
(Versus 9PM ET/6PM PT)
Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft
John Howard vs. Matt Brown
Charlie Brenneman vs. Rick Story
Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo