Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort takes center Octagon next when he takes on fellow longtime veteran Nate Marquardt.
Round 1:
Marquardt opens things up with a leg kick but both men remain rather tentative. Marquardt trips Belfort and gets in his full guard. Nothing much happens for about a minute so the ref stands it back up. Belfort comes inside and lands a nice straight left and follows it with a high kick which makes Marquardt stumble.
Belfort lands a nice jab as he backs up and Marquardt responds with a hard inside leg kick. The round comes to an end with a high kick from Marquardt.
Round 2:
Marquardt lands a nice high kick and continues to find his range and land nice shots. Belfort follows up with a nice combo and he blitzes on Marquardt. Belfort takes the foot off the gas and slows down his attack. Belfort is now showing the effects of a cut above his left eye as he’s bleeding.
Belfort seems to be slowing down a bit and Marquardt begins landing some nice shots. The round comes to an end after a nice straight right hand from Marquardt.
Round 3:
Very slow start to the round as not much action is going on. Marquardt looks to initiate a fire right halfway through the round and lands a nice head kick. Belfort walks him down but isn’t pulling the trigger on anything. “The Phenom” then fires off a few hard shots and stuffs a takedown attempt in the process.
The round comes to an end with not much action, yet again.
Official Result: Vitor Belfort def. Nate Marquardt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
