The Doggy Bag: Carano's Decision

Sherdog, thanks for the chat on [June 18]. It was refreshing to see some thought-provoking commentary in an open format. I hope to see more of these chats in the future, which leads me to my question.

I was disappointed by Jordan Breen's response to Mike in Ocala, FL's question about Nate Marquardt being the best 185 pounder not named Anderson Silva. Breen replied that Marquardt was not flawless against Wilson Gouveia, and that he wouldn't take him serious unless he ran roughshod over Demian Maia. Is a little analysis too much to ask for? Here we have a vastly improved fighter that is cleaning house in one of the Octagon's toughest divisions. Specifically, what has Marquardt done to improve so vastly? How would Sherdog handicap Marquardt-Maia and finally, is he the best 185 pounder not named Anderson Silva?
-- Eric in Tulsa

Jordan Breen, columnist and radio host: I certainly never said that I wouldn't take Nate Marquardt seriously unless he ran roughshod over Maia. Maia or not, Marquardt is one of the best middleweights in the world and one of the few fighters who has perennially been outstanding in the division. I said that the Wilson Gouveia fight was hardly the sort of performance that would unequivocally prove that one was the best non-Silva middleweight in the world, while a sterling win over Maia may very well may.

As for analysis, I wouldn't say Marquardt is "vastly improved," at least not in the skills department. If there is a key difference in Marquardt since his loss to Silva two years ago, it's that he's become more aggressive, which suits him as a physically dominant and versatile fighter.

Marquardt has always been a quality wrestler, has been a BJJ black belt for years and has long been a highly competent striker. Marquardt's biggest problem has always been how incredibly conservative he is despite being athletically and technically superior to most of his opponents.

Watch his losses to Izuru Takeuchi and Keiichiro Yamamiya, or his draw with Eiji Ishikawa. Heck, watch his much-maligned win over Ivan Salaverry. Marquardt is a better fighter in every respect than these fighters, and was so when he fought them. Yet, he was completely unwilling to attack in all of those fights. Better still, watch his fight with Dean Lister. Marquardt nearly knocked Lister out approximately 600 times in 15 minutes, yet still fought mind-boggling passively despite so severely outclassing his opponent. Then, watch him stampede over Martin Kampmann and bash up Wilson Gouveia. Marquardt is still the same fighter -- he's always had the game -- he just uses it much more liberally and effectively now and imposes himself on opponents.

I do think Marquardt with his new-look aggression and considerable striking advantages deserves to be a favorite over Demian Maia, but a slight one. BJJ black belt or not, Maia is one of the world's most brilliant grapplers -- gi, no gi or MMA -- and his submission game need not rely on finishing a single-leg takedown and setting up from top position. Should Marquardt be able to stop his takedowns, not allow Maia to pull guard, and avoid the armdrag, he will probably thump on Maia. And frankly, in a division in which there have been comparatively few elite fighters facing one another -- historically or contemporarily -- that would go a long way in deciding whether he is the best middleweight not named Anderson Silva.

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