In an interview with Ariel Helwani on MMAFighting.com, former UFC star Nate Marquardt revealed that treatment for low testosterone was the reason that he was removed from the main event of this past Sunday’s UFC on Versus 4.
According to Marquardt, he began treatment in August 2010 due to changes in mood and genearal sluggishness. Whether or not his hypogonadism was caused by damage to his brain from fighting or a pituitary gland issue has yet to be determined.
Last March, Marquardt was required was granted clearance by New Jersey State Athletic Commission for a bout with Dan Miller if he went off the treatment for 8 weeks before submitting to a battery of blood tests. He was also required to produce a doctor’s note that he he needed the replacement therapy for his condition three weeks before the fight with Rick Story on Sunday. Because of the proximity to the bout with Story, his primary care physician put him on a more aggressive treatment regimen.
Two weeks before the fight, a blood test showed that Marquardt had elevated levels of testosterone and his doctor recommended that he halt treatment to meet the required range for his fight. He did so and the ensuing tests showed decreasing testosterone levels, however, on the morning of the weigh-in, Marquardt was still incapable of meeting the required amount and had to be suspended and pulled from the main event.
One the morning of the fight, which he would no longer be able to participate in due to his suspension by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, Marquardt’s testosterone levels were once again back within the proper range. On Tuesday morning, Marquardt and manager Lex McMahon were told by Pennsylvania commissioner Greg Sirb that he had met the requirements to have his suspension lifted pending a vote by the commission.
As a result of his medical suspension, the main event against Rick Story on UFC on Versus 4 had to be rescheduled with Charlie Brenneman taking his place in the now co-main event. A heavyweight encounter between Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry was promoted to the main event after Marquardt’s suspension.
The medical suspension led to Dana White’s angrily firing Marquardt in a public video message via Twitter.
