Nate Marquardt pointed to testosterone replacement therapy and high levels of testosterone in his system as the reasons he was suspended by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, dropped from the main event at UFC on Versus 4 and subsequently fired by the UFC.
Marquardt stated his case to AOL on Ariel Helwani's show.
Bloody Elbow's Mike Fagan had a rundown of the conversation.
[1:06 p.m. ET] [...] Nate says he wasn't cleared to fight because of a situation he's dealt with since August. Feeling sluggish, horrible. Memory was off. Doctor did tests, which came back for low testosterone.
He went on testosterone therapy. Went to the UFC to discuss it. He went on treatment. Was on treatment until the first of this year. Applied for therapeutic-use exemption for fight against Dan Miller. Commission allowed it, but they wanted Nate to do tests after fight. Go off treatment for 8 weeks and take blood tests. Nate claims he went off treatment, took the three blood tests. Results came back and doctor wrote letter that said Nate had low testosterone and was a candidate for treatment.
Just three weeks before the Story, Marquardt then made the strange move of going back on TRT fight saying his doctor wanted more to go with a more aggressive approach.
[...] Nate took treatment for two weeks. Took a blood test to make sure he was within normal range, but that test came back high (out of range). Nate started to panic.
Nate admits he should have requested testing earlier from his doctor. Nate took several tests the week of the fight, which showed his levels falling, but still above acceptable range. Close by weigh-in, but still above. At that point, the Pennsylvania commission told him he wouldn't be able to fight, put on suspension.
Nate took another blood test on the day of the fight, and his levels were within proper range.
(His manager Lex) McMahon notes that Marquardt didn't do anything that wasn't communicated to the UFC, athletic commissions.
Marquardt explained why he went on TRT.
[...] Nate runs through symptoms: sluggish, no energy, poor memory, etc. Talks about other tests they ran: brain scans, mono test, blood test for other hormones. Nate runs through list of possible reasons: genetic, problem with testicles, pituitary gland problem. But Nate isn't sure why he personally has low testosterone.
According to Fagan, Marquardt got a little emotional
[1:17 p.m.] I'm not a doctor, but I need to take responsibility. I'm the one fighting, not my doctor. I'm the one in the main event. I'm the one that messed up. Nate choking up at this point.
Marquardt says he was approved while on TRT for his March fight against Dan Miller at UFC 128 in New Jersey.
Nate said he received a letter around January/February that said the NJSACB received his TUE, that his application seemed incomplete, that his treatment was not USADA approved. Nate explains his doctor was using an "off-label" medication. [...] Nate says his levels were within range for the Miller fight. When he went off to meet the NJSACB requirements -- three blood tests and eight weeks off treatment -- he was off for 10-11 weeks before he restarted.
Nate explains he felt even worse after going off treatment. He explains that his mood improved after starting treatment, may have saved his marriage.
Marquardt explained that this issue probably arose because he switched from taking pills to straight testosterone injections before UFC on Versus 4.
Nate laments not taking blood test after first injection. Nate was nervous about taking testosterone injections, wishes he hadn't in retrospect.
[...] Nate said he's talked to different doctors, who have recommended different things. Says he needs to do more research.
[...] Nate said he wants to go back to the oral medication if he can. He doesn't know his plan going forward, however.
[...]� McMahon says when New Jersey said doctors forms were incomplete, using treatment not approved by USADA, it should have been an indication for the team. Nate says he won't be using that doctor going forward.
Last week was incredibly hectic for Marquardt. Just 15 minutes before the weigh-in, he found out from the PSAC that his testosterone levels were still too high.
Marquardt hopes the UFC will change its mind.
Throughout today's conversation, the word transparent was used to describe how much the UFC was kept in the loop. That's where the confusion lies. It still seems by the reaction of Dana White and the UFC, that they were blindsided by this on Saturday.
Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards Desiree Dymond Diane Kruger Dido
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