UFC Fight Night 43 weigh-in results: Nate Marquardt, James Te Huna set for main event
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – MMAjunkie was on scene and reporting live from tonight’s UFC Fight Night 43 fighter weigh-ins, where all 20 competitors made weight for Saturday’s event.
In the main event, Nate Marquardt (32-13-2 MMA, 10-6 UFC) returns to the middleweight division to meet New Zealand native James Te Huna (16-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who drops down from light heavyweight for the first time.
Marquardt, a former Strikeforce welterweight champion, weighed in first and came in at 186 pounds for his return to the division after four fights at 170. Te Huna got a big ovation from his home country fans, and he came in at 186, as well.
“I’ve been able to eat, so that’s the main thing,†Marquardt said. “I got a great camp in, so I’m blessed. It’s an honor – I’m used to not being the hometown guy, so it’s fine.â€
“I’m just proud to represent my country and I’m very happy to be headlining the card,†Te Huna said. “It’s a special feeling to me.â€
In the co-feature, heavyweights Soa Palelei (21-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Jared Rosholt (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meet. Palelei, from Australia, was 264 pounds, while Rosholt came in at 259.
Also on the main card, featherweight standouts Hatsu Hioki (27-7-2 MMA, 3-3 UFC) and Charles Oliveira (17-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) meet. Oliveira, from Brazil, weighed in first at 145, while Japan’s Hioki was 146. And to open the main card, Mike Rhodes (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Robert Whittaker (11-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) each were 171 pounds for their welterweight matchup.
Friday’s weigh-ins took place at Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, the same venue that hosts Saturday’s card.
The full UFC Fight Night 43 weigh-in results included:
MAIN CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 5 a.m. ET)
Nate Marquardt (186) vs. James Te Huna (186)
Soa Palelei (264) vs. Jared Rosholt (259)
Hatsu Hioki (146) vs. Charles Oliveira (145)
Robert Whittaker (171) vs. Mike Rhodes (171)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 2:30 a.m. ET)
Dashon Johnson (155) vs. Jake Matthews (156)
Roldan Sangcha-an (125) vs. Richie Vaculik (125.5)
Vik Grujic (171) vs. Chris Indich (170)
Rodrigo Goiana de Lima (169) vs. Neil Magny (171)
Ian Entwistle (145.5) vs. Daniel Hooker (145)
Sean O’Connell (205) vs. Gian Villante (205.5)
