UFC
Bellator Champ Ben Askren tells "frequent cheater" Nate Marquardt to come to Bellator where he will "crush" him
Jun 28, 2011 - 5:50:03 PM Bellator Champ Ben Askren tells "frequent cheater" Nate Marquardt to come to Bellator where he will "crush" him

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Nate Marquardt's admission of testosterone use as part of hormone therapy for a diagnosed case of low testosterone has brought out a wide variety of reactions from both fans, writers and fellow fighters.

The reactions have ranged from support of Marquardt for coming clean on the situation and disbelief as to why UFC President Dana White felt "disgusted" by him, to those labeling him a cheater and feeling his firing was more than justified.

One fairly prominent fighter in particular took the opportunity to take the second reaction directly to Marquardt on Twitter.

Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren pulled no punches in his comment on the situation, challenging Marquardt to come meet him in the Bellator cage after his UFC release.

"[Nate Marquardt] you are a cheater," Askren wrote. "Not once but frequently. Stop cheating, come to Bellator and I will crush you."

It remains to be seen how Marquardt's story with the UFC will play out for sure, as he expects to be taken off suspension by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission this week after submitting test levels within normal range. If his UFC release remains a permanent one, but his license is reinstated, it could open the door for a fight like this to actually happen.

Penick's Analysis: Askren went right for the jugular, releasing this comment shortly after Marquardt's admission went public on Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour program this afternoon. He's laying the foundation for what could be a heated "Super Fight" for Bellator if Marquardt is indeed done in the UFC. Askren doesn't have much in the way of challengers in this division, and after Jay Hieron there's a steep, steep dropoff, but if Bellator can sign Marquardt and set that fight up it would be huge for them. This is a story that will continue to play out over the next week and beyond, though, so we'll keep an eye out for developments as they happen.