A middleweight bout between former No. 1 contender Nate Marquardt and Yoshihiro Akiyama has been slated for UFC 128 in Newark, N.J., on March 19, according to multiple sources.
Contracts have been distributed and verbal agreements are in place from both fighters.
According to earlier reports, the UFC had wanted Akiyama to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 128. However, Sonnen was recently suspended by the organization after he pleaded guilty to money laundering in federal court earlier this week.
Nate “The Great” Marquardt (30-10-2)
Loss Yushin Okami – Decision (Unanimous) UFC 122
Win Rousimar Palhares – TKO (Punches) UFC FN 22
Loss Chael Sonnen – Decision (Unanimous) UFC 109
Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama (13-3)
Loss Michael Bisping – Decision (Unanimous) UFC 120
Loss Chris Leben – Submission (Triangle Choke) UFC 116
Win Alan Belcher – Decision (Split) UFC 100
About the author
