• UFC 122

Silva has 'holes in his game' - Marquardt

ESPN staff
November 7, 2010
Nate Marquardt won his last fight against Rousimar Palhares © Getty Images
Enlarge

Nate Marquardt insists Anderson Silva has "holes in his game" and is desperate for a rematch against the middleweight champion.

Marquardt was beaten by Silva at UFC 73 in July 2007, but while Silva has dominated the middleweight division for four years, the American is adamant he is not as untouchable as many would believe.

Ahead of his fight with Yushin Okami at UFC 122 in Germany next week, Marquardt believes Chael Sonnen exposed the Brazilian's weaknesses at UFC 117.

"It's been known to me for a long time that Anderson had holes in his game," Marquardt said. "If anything, it was more of an eye-opening event for the media because they put him on this pedestal like he was unbeatable.

"Chael was able to expose, obviously, that he's susceptible to takedowns, susceptible to ground and pound, and even that if someone lands a punch on him, he can get wobbled. If anything, it was more eye-opening for the media, not for me."

Silva defends his middleweight title against Vitor Belfort at UFC 126, and while Marquardt admits he would rather fight Silva, another shot at the title is his main focus.

"For me, the most important thing is to get the title fight and fight the champion," he said. "That's my dream is to become the champion. For me, it doesn't necessarily matter who it is, but at the same time, I would definitely prefer it to be Silva just because he has been the champion for so long, and he's proven to be the top of the division."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices