UFC Quick Quote: The only thing standing between Wilson Gouveia and Anderson Silva is Nate Marquardt

“I have a lot of respect for Nate Marquardt. He is a great fighter who always trains really hard and always leaves his all inside the Octagon. After the champion, Anderson Silva, he’s the best fighter in the division. In my eyes he’s the number one contender, so a win over him would be huge. I’ve been training harder than ever for this fight. I’m focused on Marquardt and not looking past him at all. He’s a very tough fighter, but once I beat him I don’t see anybody between me and Anderson Silva. He’s next as far as I’m concerned.”

American Top Team (ATT) product Wilson Gouveia tells UFC.com that Nate Marquardt is the only thing standing between him and a title shot with 185-pound kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva. Gouveia dropped from light heavyweight to middleweight following a disappointing loss to Croatia’s Goran Reljic at UFC 84 “Ill Will” last May, just his second in the UFC since debuting at the Ultimate Fighter Finale 3 against Keith Jardine in June of 2006. Since changing weight classes, the Brazilian is 2-0 including an impressive stoppage over Jason MacDonald at December’s Ultimate Fight Night 8. Could a shot at Silva be next? Not if Nate “The Great” has anything to say about it.

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