“I had watched tape on him and kind of noticed how he telegraphed when he kicks and I have a lot of counters for kicks and stuff. I hurt my ankle a couple of weeks ago and I was working with my buddy Dwayne and I asked him ‘How do I counter this if I can’t do my normal stuff?’ He told me ‘Just step in and throw an overhand right as he kicks.’ It was crazy how it worked so easily. This was a highlight reel finish and I’m very excited.”

Now UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt talks post-fight about finishing jiu-jitsu phenom Demian Maia just 21 seconds into their 185-pound affair at UFC 102. Nate, undoubtedly has risen to the top of a short list of potential candidates looking to challenge current division freak-of-nature, Anderson “The Spider” Silva. Will Marquardt go right to the top? Or will Hendo be first in line, after his crushing win over Michael Bisping? Or, possibly, the UFC may match Henderson v Marquardet for a possible number #1 contender match?

I doubt it. With a middleweight division somewhat lacking in title challengers and a champion hungry for blood, the UFC are going to try and gather as many contenders as possible. Marquardt has earned his shot, the only question remains is when will he get it.