Bellator CEO, Bjorn Rebney rules out a move for Nate Marquardt

Bellator CEO, Bjorn Rebney has today ruled out a swoop for former UFC middleweight title contender, Nate Marquardt, explaining the time just isn’t right to do a deal but admitted negotiations had taken place.
Speaking via MMAJunkie.com, Marquardt said:

“The reality is that it’s not often that a top-10 guy is available … especially when he’s coming off a win. Nate’s situation was pretty unique. It’s an anomaly for a guy like that to become available, so we had discussions. But it just became pretty clear it wasn’t the right fit.”

On whether there would have been a chance for Marquardt to slot into a tournament bracket at 170 or 185 pounds, Rebney said:

“We have so much going on right now … and we’re pretty far down the process. If Nate had been available a few months back, maybe things would be different.”

Bellator did seem to be the most natural place for Marquardt to find a new home if he wasn’t to be welcomed back to the Zuffa family with either the UFC or Strikeforce although that seems to have gone up in smoke with this latest statement. Stay tuned to MMABay for more on this as we get it.
By Michael Pepper.