UFC chief White says Marquardt ‘done’

Much of the mixed martial arts world spent the early part of last week waiting to hear Nate Marquardt's explanation for being barred from his main event bout of UFC on Versus 4, held June 26.

Marquardt subsequently was kicked out of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

UFC president Dana White is not one to sit around and wait on anything. In fact, he never even watched the video of Marquardt's explanation.

White said Thursday he had not heard what Marquardt had to say, while adding that his ban from ever again competing in the UFC will stand. At issue was Marquardt's medically prescribed and supervised Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

While both sides agreed that the therapy led to excessive testosterone levels, Marquardt said it was due to an honest miscalculation in dosage, an explanation the UFC disagreed with.

"Nate's done," White said. "Nate is a nice guy, real sweet and humble. But facts are facts, and it is what it is."

White said if he were to bring Marquardt back, it would be his "fourth chance," which is a bit unfair because two of the three strikes against him deal with his ongoing TRT treatment.

White would not commit when asked whether the ban on Marquardt extended to Zuffa-owned Strikeforce.

The bigger issue stemming from this situation might be a need for a more official policy on TRT from athletic commissions.

White said he believes the procedure is acceptable for fighters who have truly low testosterone levels, even if the condition is brought on by past steroid use, a common cause.

"It works for guys who absolutely need it, but it's a messy loophole," White said.

■ PROUD PAPA -- Las Vegan Anthony Njokuani stole the show on the undercard of UFC 132 on Saturday by dominating Andre Winner to earn his first UFC victory.

It wasn't even the best thing that happened to him in the last month.

Njokuani welcomed his first son, Kai Anthony Von Njokuani, on June 18.

"It feels great. Words cannot explain how I'm feeling right now," Njokuani said after his victory. "Life is good. I'm very happy with everything God has been blessing me with."

Njokuani, who went 4-3 in World Extreme Cagefighting before losing his UFC debut in March, was on the verge of stopping Winner in the first round.

Njokuani hit him with unanswered punches and knees in the corner for well over a minute, but Winner would not go down. Njokuani ultimately won by decision.

"I was really frustrated because he was still standing. I thought he went down on that last knee, but (he's a) tough kid. I give him a lot of kudos," he said.

Although he said he felt no additional pressure, the win likely ensures his spot in the UFC. Njokuani had lost three of his last four fights dating to his WEC days.

■ NO CONTEST -- A bout originally ruled a submission victory for Charles Oliveira over Nik Lentz was changed to a no contest.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission made the ruling after reviewing tape of the June 26 UFC on Versus 4 bout in Pittsburgh.

Oliveira submitted Lentz by rear naked choke after landing what proved to be an illegal knee while Lentz was grounded.

White said a rematch likely will be scheduled.

■ ROGERS RELEASED -- Former Strikeforce heavyweight title challenger Brett Rogers was released from the organization after being arrested for allegedly strangling and punching his wife in front of their children at their home in Apple Valley, Minn., on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Rogers, who was charged with third-degree felony assault and misdemeanor child endangerment, lost to Josh Barnett in the quarterfinals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix last month.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.