Nate Marquardt
Veteran middleweight replaces embattled Sonnen
UFC middleweight Nate Marquardt will face Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 128.
ESPN.com first reported the story.
Akiyama was scheduled to face Chael Sonnen at the same event, but Sonnen’s recent suspension by the UFC forced him off the card. Sonnen plead guilty to federal money laundering charges earlier this week.
Akiyama has suffered back to back losses for the first time in his career. He lost to Chris Leben last summer and then dropped a decision to Michael Bisping at UFC 120. Marquardt, meanwhile, will look to rebound from a loss to Yushin Okami in a title eliminator bout at UFC 122.
UFC 128 is headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Rashad Evans. The co-main event will feature the UFC debut of former WEC star Urijah Faber.
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Nate Marquardt Faces “Sexyama” At UFC 128