Nate Marqaurdt Wants Rematch With Vitor Belfort, Belfort Responds

Nate Marqaurdt was on the wrong side of a decision to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort at UFC 212.

The loser is not only shocked with how the scorecards played out that night, but he also wants another bout with the Brazilian legend.

“Yeah, I was very surprised,” Marquardt told MMA Fighting. “I thought I clearly won rounds one and two, and I watched the fight, and even in round three he won the round more on just, you know, him going forward because he knew he had lost the first two rounds. And as far as punches and kicks landed, I landed more punches and kicks in the third round, he just had that one little flurry at the end but even then I fought out of that and was able to land at the end of the fight. So yeah, I was very surprised and shocked. Honestly, I really wish and it be awesome to fight him again. I don’t know if that’s even a possibility, but honestly, if I were him, I wouldn’t be happy with that win. I heard him in an interview and he said he felt he dominated the fight. I don’t know if he’s saying that because he knew he had lost the fight, and he was trying to act confident or what, but at no point in the fight he was close to winning. I mean, he caught me with a couple of punches, but other than that, I was dominating the fight and at no point he was close to finishing me. I rocked him on multiple occasions in the fight, so I honestly just wish we were able to do it again and settle it. I would to do it right now, like tomorrow, but for him I dont know, I’m guessig he’d be reluctant. After the fight, you could just look into his eyes and he knew he had lost the fight, so I’d be surprised if he took the fight, but I’d love it because I think it was a great technical fight, it was a good fight for the fans, and like I said, I think we should settle it because I think I clearly won and everyone watching the fight thought I won too.”

Upon receiving word that Marqaurdt wanted a rematch, the winner of the fight at UFC 212 in Belfort posted a video response on Instagram:

 

I respect @natemarquardt a lot but finding excuses for a loss it is not right. I won the fight for sure and fighting in Brazil doesn't make a difference for the organization and the judges. As far as I'm concerned UFC is a international organization that has events and staff all over the world. But if you want to do it again. I am down for it!! Let's fight in a neutral ground, so you can't complain about hometown advantage. I will make sure that the fight will not go to the last round! Let's do it!! Respeito muito o @natemarquardt mas ficar procurando desculpa para uma derrota não é legal. Eu venci a luta com certeza e lutar no Brasil ou em outro qualquer lugar do mundo não faz diferença para a organização ou para os juízes. Pq até onde eu saiba o UFC é uma organização internacional que promove eventos em vários países e também tem uma equipe espalhada por todos continentes. Mas se vc quer lutar outra vez, por mim tudo bem! Eu topo! Vamos lutar em campo neutro, aí vc não vai poder reclamar de lutar no país de ninguém. Na próxima vou garantir q a luta não vá para as mãos dos juízes. Vamos lutar!!

A post shared by Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort (@vitorbelfort) on Jun 11, 2017 at 2:06pm PDT

Belfort does have one fight left on his current UFC deal, while Marqaurdt has had a less than stellar run thus far since returning to the UFC.