http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Marquardt-off-UFC-on-Versus-4-and-cut-from-UFC?urn=mma-wp3907Marquardt off UFC on Versus 4 and cut from UFC
By Maggie Hendricks
Marquardt off UFC on Versus 4 and cut from UFCPITTSBURGH -- A representative for Nate Marquardt announced that the fighter was not medically cleared for his UFC on Versus 4 bout against Rick Story. The representative would not disclose the reasons for Marquardt's lack of clearance.
Charlie Brenneman, who was supposed to fight T.J. Grant on this card until he pulled out with illness earlier this week, will now face Rick Story. Pat Barry's bout with Cheick Kongo has been promoted to the main event.
UPDATE: According to this video from UFC president Dana White, Marquardt is not just off the card, but is also cut from the UFC. The UFC VP of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner would not comment on the situation but said that the Pennsylvania athletic commission will release a statement.
Marquardt had been with the UFC since 2005. As one of the first fighters to find success with Greg Jackson, the highly touted MMA trainer, Marquardt went 10-4. He fought for the UFC middleweight title in 2007, but was TKOed by Anderson Silva.
This weekend, he was cutting down to welterweight for the first time as a UFC fighter, and mentioned often how natural the cut felt and that he was more energetic than ever before. The news that he was not fighting surprised the crowd gathered at Heinz Field to watch the weigh-ins, who were given the news via a statement read by UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
Brenneman, a native of western Pennsylvania, was already in shape for his bout with Grant. He gleefully took the scales wearing a Steelers hard hat and made weight with no problem. Now, he will take on Story, who is on one of the UFC's longest win streaks. His six wins in a row put him just behind champions Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva.
Story took the bout on short notice, after Anthony Johnson withdrew because of an injury. Story's last bout was less than a month ago, as he won a decision over Thiago Alves at UFC 130. He didn't seem concerned by the change, as he tweeted, "Marquardt's out Brenneman is in no big deal. I'm here to fight and kick [expletive]."
