• UFC Live

Story steps in to face Marquardt

ESPN staff
June 3, 2011
Rick Story punches Thiago Alves © Getty Images
Enlarge

Nate Marquardt will now fight Rick Story at UFC Live, after Anthony Johnson was forced to withdraw through injury.

Johnson was forced to pull out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury, with the emerging Story agreeing to step in just five days after defeating Thiago Alves via unanimous decision at UFC 130.

The welterweight contest - Marquardt's first appearance at the weight - will nevertheless still headline the event in Pittsburgh, which takes place on June 26.

Story (13-3) has only tasted defeat once in his UFC career, in a unanimous decision against John Hathaway in his debut appearance back in 2009. Since then he has embarked on a six-fight winning streak - including a notable triumph over Johny Hendricks.

Marquardt, meanwhile, announced his intention to move down to welterweight after a unanimous middleweight victory over Dan Miller at UFC 128 in March.

He suffered a first-round technical knockout loss in the only title fight of his career to date, against Anderson Silva in 2007, and has more recently missed out on opportunities to become the No. 1 contender once again after defeats to Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami.

Both men will likely see the fight as a chance to enhance their chances of a big divisional match-up against Jon Fitch, and eventually a title shot.

© 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