NATE MARQUARDT

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

SUPLEX TO SIDE CONTROL, TOP

Level 3—Double Underhook, Offense

Some opponents are good at stuffing and countering Marquardt’s takedowns. Work for his powerful throws from the clinch instead, particularly this easy-to-access suplex from the Double Underhook position.

LEFT/RIGHT HOOK

Level 2—Open Guard, Top

“The Great” can bring these heavy hooks down with crushing force when he postures up in Open Guard, Half Guard, or Mount on the ground. These are some of his most powerful strikes, so try to use them.

DIRECT CATCH TO ARM TRIANGLE CHOKE

Level 3—Side Control, Top

Slam the opponent into Side Control, or transition there after scoring a big takedown on the feet. Then posture up into sub position and apply this powerful choke from Side Control.

STRENGTHS

• Very well rounded

• Knockout power

• Experience

Nate “The Great” Marquardt is a big middleweight fighter with great strength and a wellrounded skill set.

Use his speed on the feet to work your way inside and score takedowns, for “The Great” is most dangerous when rolling on the mat.

Use his impressive grappling ability to pass the opponent’s guard and land some devastating ground-and-pound.

This is where he can do his most impressive damage, and the strength of his strikes from the top helps him quickly set up powerful submissions, such as crushing arm triangles from Side Control.

Veteran grapplers may be able to hold him down if they manage to attain top position, however, so avoid the grappling game against these types of opponents and use his movement speed and striking power on the feet to rock these foes with fast and rangy kicks and punches from the outside instead.

WEAKNESSES

• Speed

• Clinch grappling

• Submissions from the bottom

Though Marquardt has impressive footwork in the stand-up game, his strikes and combinations are somewhat slow, making them susceptible to being interrupted and countered by rivals with fast hands.

He can be similarly dominated in most other areas of the fight game when pitted against elitelevel competition—Muay Thai specialists can control him with kicks and strong clinch work, while grapplers can work for takedowns and control him from the top if they succeed in bringing him down.

He has good defensive skills and is difficult to finish, so don’t go looking for the KO or submission. Stay conservative to maintain your stamina and control the pace of the fight.

Implement your fighter’s strongest game plan to overwhelm him in your most dominant area of the fight game.