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UFC QUOTABLES: Nate Marquardt expects to receive Title shot with victory over Sonnen next month
Jan 15, 2010 - 6:32:50 PM UFC QUOTABLES: Nate Marquardt expects to receive Title shot with victory over Sonnen next month

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"From what I understand, if I win this fight [against Sonnen], I will get the shot... I think [Vitor Belfort’s] a great fighter. I don't necessarily agree with him getting a shot or whatever, just because he really hasn’t fought at 85. His first fight in the UFC was at 95, but to be honest it doesn't really matter too much to me because I've got a good fight coming up and to me I'm going to have to fight all those guys anyways, so it doesn't really matter."

-Nate Marquardt talks to MMAWeekly.com about Vitor Belfort leapfrogging him for a shot at Anderson Silva and expecting a shot of his own with a win over Chael Sonnen at UFC 109.

Penick's Analysis: Marquardt absolutely should earn his rematch with Silva if he gets past Chael Sonnen on February 6th. After losing in his only UFC Title fight to Silva, Marquardt has become a much different fighter, and has improved vastly from where he was at that point in his career. Silva has already referred to Marquardt as his successor in the middleweight division, and whether Marquardt can earn that distinction or take it by default remains to be seen. But, should he get past what is absolutely a tough fight in Sonnen, there should be nothing left for Silva and Ed Soares to complain about as far as him earning a rematch. He'll be the clear number one contender in the UFC's middleweight division with a victory, and no one remaining under contract will be able to lay claim to that spot.