Marquardt signs with Strikeforce

Former UFC middleweight Nate Marquardt has signed with Strikeforce, it was announced during FUEL TV's newest episode of UFC Tonight.

The 32-year-old was released from the UFC, whose parent company Zuffa also owns Strikeforce, last June after pre-fight blood tests at an event in Pittsburgh were found to have testosterone levels outside the allowable limit. Marquardt said he had done hormone replacement therapy to address a health issue, which brought the levels up and he miscalculated the time it took to get them back down.

Even though the levels were within range on fight day, the commission would not clear him ahead of the weigh-ins and the UFC had no choice but to scrap his fight, which was the headliner against Rick Story.

Marquardt signed with the British promotion BAMMA last July, but he never ended up fighting for the organization and was recently released from his contract.

After fighting his whole career at 185 pounds, Marquardt is expected to compete at welterweight in Strikeforce. MMAjunkie.com reported that verbal agreements are already in place for him to take on 170-pound contender Tyron Woodley. His UFC fight against Story was to be his welterweight debut.

Marquardt, who last fought in March 2011 in a win over Dan Miller at UFC 128, holds a professional MMA record of 31-10-2.