Despite his reputation as a fighter owning a complete game, its interesting to note that Marquardt has never been under the guidance of an MMA trainer.
Enter Greg Jackson, a man quickly being recognized as one of the States top MMA trainers. With Diego Sanchez (pictures), Joey Villasenor (pictures) and a handful of other legitimate contenders, Jacksons New Mexico gym has become as synonymous with quality MMA output as the Pacific Northwests Team Quest or Iowas Miletich Martial Arts.
I think a lot of it is just his personality, the middleweight said of Jackson. Hes the nicest guy and he really attracts the kind of fighters that really want it, that arent about the money. Theyre about fighting and they love the sport. And he attracts those kind of really good people. And we all work as a team together. Hes got the best motivational skills. He can really motivate us and talk to us.
Ever since I started training with them I feel like Im twice as good, he said. Thats what Ive been lacking all along, is training partners my size and at my level. So now that I have that its taken me to a whole nother level.
Its been really good, said Marquardts wife, Tessa. I think hes just great for the team. He offers something theyve never really seen before. I think they really love having him down there and he loves going. Its so close that he can drive and still have a life in Colorado. And I can go with him and its been really good.
Such a fan of Jackson is Marquardt that hes planning on splitting time between Albuquerque and Denver. Tessa, whom he married almost a year ago on August 28, will join him often. And when its his turn to have custody of his daughter, theyll head back to Denver.
Soon fight fans in both towns will know Marquardts face, a reality he is familiar with from his days fighting and living in Japan.
Standing in Marquardts way of a UFC middleweight title shot is Salaverry, who in many respects is a similar fighter, though Marquardt is a bit crisper with his hands and knees and the Seattle-based Salaverry has some size on the UFC rookie.
Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog, said Marquardt, well on his way to using clichés like an American professional athlete. And I think thats where, actually, I have an edge. I have a lot of heart. I have the most heart youre going to see. And I actually have a little more experience in all areas: striking, wrestling, grappling. So I feel Im going to have the edge.
Weve looked at Ivans style everything: ground game, his strategies, his stand-up and formulated strategy and techniques Im going to use. So thats what Ive been working on for the last eight weeks.
For those who have not seen Marquardt in the ring and even good percentage of hardcore fans have not he fights like a mixed martial artist should: seamlessly.
Whether he can transition smoothly to other things required of a UFC star (basically everything expected of athletes in the U.S.) is another matter.
In more ways than one, Marquardt has let his fighting speak for him. His manager, Hendricks, has a reputation for keeping a tight lid.
In Japan, that may fly. Here in the U.S., however, it will only serve to get your fighter passed over for willing subjects. And win or lose, the effects of Saturdays introduction to American fans will demand that Hendricks eases off the reigns.
Marquardt says he hopes that fans turning in will see an exciting fight. Thats the main thing. I want them to get their moneys worth and hopefully make a lot of fans.
I want them to know Im a humble guy but I want them to also know Im the best.
And he doesnt plan on saying bye anytime soon, either.