With the UFC's middleweight title picture and a planned Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort title fight on hold, arguably the division's No. 1 contender, Nate Marquardt, will apparently return to action in February.
According to sportsnet.ca, Marquardt (29-8-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) meets Chael Sonnen (24-10-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) at UFC 110, though bout agreement have not been signed.
Sources close to the event told MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com) the matchup was possible but didn't indicate an event date.
UFC 110 takes place Feb. 21 at Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. The show, headlined by Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, marks the UFC's debut in Australia.
Since losing to Anderson Silva in his first title shot in 2007, Marquardt has posted a 4-1 record, though the mid-2008 loss to Thales Leites was a controversial split decision prompted by two questionable point deductions. The other victories have all come via stoppage over Jeremy Horn, Martin Kampmann, Wilson Gouveia and, most recently, Demian Maia via 21-second knockout.
The former King of Pancrase is now 10-2 over the past five years.
Sonnen, meanwhile, rejoined the UFC earlier this year following stints with the WEC and BodogFIGHT. Although just 1-2 in that first UFC run, he's now 2-1 with back-to-back decision victories following a submission loss to Demian Maia back in February. After topping Dan Miller and longtime contender Yushin Okami in his two most recent bouts, Sonnen also is inching closer to title contention.
A win over an established veteran such as Marquardt would certainly improve his standing.
The latest UFC 110 card now includes:
* Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Wanderlei Silva*
* Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen*
* Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Ben Rothwell*
* Stephan Bonnar vs. Krzysztof Soszynski*
* James Te Huna vs. TBA*
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