Story steps in for Johnson, will face Marquardt at UFC on Versus 4

nullNo rest for the wicked.

Just a few days after scoring the biggest win in his young MMA career, Rick Story found out he won’t have to wait long to return to the octagon, as he will fill in for the injured Anthony Johnson at UFC on Versus 4.

Story will take on Nate Marquardt in his welterweight debut on June 26 from Pittsburgh, Penn. MMAMania.com has the details.

Story has accepted this bout less than a week removed from his three-round war against Thiago Alves at the UFC 130 event on May 28. He absorbed a ton of punishment but outlasted “Pitbull” on his way to a unanimous decision win.

It was the sixth in a row for “Horror” who has been campaigning for a shot at the welterweight title. He’s steadily working his way up the ladder, picking off contenders as he goes.

This fight is just as interesting as Johnson vs. Marquardt, if not more. Story relies on being a bully in the cage, using his size and pressure to win fights. But, Marquardt is just as good at that as anyone and will likely be the bigger fighter of the two.

This will truly be a big test for Story.

  

5 June bouts to mark down on your calendar

nullThe month of June is stacked for MMA fans.

Over the next month, three UFC shows will take place, including one PPV. The second half of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix will be held as well, and Bellator will kick off its next season.

With that in mind, here are the top five bouts I am most looking forward to in June.

1. June 4 – Ultimate Fighter Finale – Anthony Pettis (13-1) vs. Clay Guida (28-11) – The main event of this Saturday’s Ultimate Fighter Season 13 Finale is the fight I’m most looking forward to. Anthony Pettis is set to make his UFC debut after ending the WEC as its lightweight champion with his “Showtime Pettis Kick” against Ben Henderson. His first challenge is a big one, as he takes on perennial UFC lightweight contender, Clay Guida. Both men possess great problems for the other as Pettis has the size and striking edge while Guida has the grappling edge. Both fighters will also leave everything in the cage, which should make for an exciting 15 minutes of action, if the fight goes that long.

2. June 18 – Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix – Alistair Overeem (34-11) vs. Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1) – Something has to give between the top two heavyweights in Strikeforce. It was odds to see them placed against one another in the first round of this Grand Prix, but as a fight fan, I won’t complain. Both men have been hyped up as top-of-the-line heavyweights in any organization, but someone has to live up to that hype, and someone’s hype will come crashing down. Overeem has been a bully in the cage as of late, just over-powering opponents with his striking while Werdum was the man to end Fedor’s long reign as king of MMA. Whose style will play out and allow them to advance in the grand prix?

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Marquardt moving down to 170, faces Anthony Johnson at UFC on Versus 4

nullDoes this look like a guy that can make 170 pounds?

Well, that is the future for former UFC middleweight Nate “The Great” Marquardt.

After losing two of his last four bouts, Marquardt has decided to move down to the UFC welterweight division where he will debut against Anthony Johnson at UFC on Versus 4 on June 26 from Pittsburgh, Penn.

Marquardt was one of the bigger middleweights in the division and strength was something that was always a positive for him in his fights.

Now, Marquardt will be a massive 170-pounder that will pose problems for anyone, including current champion and teammate, Georges St. Pierre.

The key will be for Marquardt to make the weight, as that first weight cut will probably be a test of his will.

On the other side of things, the UFC on Versus 4 card is looking pretty impressive considering it is on free TV.

Aside from the Marquardt vs. Johnson main event, the card is also slated to have a heavyweight clash between Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry, a welterweight showdown between Martin Kampmann and John Howard, and another heavyweight collision between Matt Mitrione and Christian Morecraft.