UFC Fight Night Marquardt vs Palhares Betting Odds: Nate Marquardt will attempt to get himself back in line for a middleweight title shot when he takes on Rousimar Palhares tonight. The two fighters are set to headline this evening's UFC Fight Night card, which will take place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. The event is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm ET on Spike TV. UFC Fight Night Betting Odds at Bodog.com have Marquardt listed as a -220 moneyline favorite to take out the Brazilian.
Nate Marquardt was a mere 15 minutes away from another shot at middleweight champion Anderson Silva, but Chael 
Sonnen had other plans when the two fighters hooked up at UFC 109 in February of this year. Sonnen snapped a three fight Marquardt win streak by scoring a unanimous decision victory. Sonnen then went on to batter Silva in an August championship match before ultimately losing the fight via a fifth round Silva submission.
Marquardt has not fought since losing to Sonnen, but should he win tonight, the Colorado native figures to meet the winner of the November match between Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami or, perhaps, the loser of next year's Silva/Sonnen rematch.
Getting by Palhares is not a given, though; a fact Marquardt acknowledged in the lead up to this evening's fight.
"He's a very tough fighter with a great ground game," Marquardt said in regard to the 30 year old Brazilian. "He's definitely a top level fighter."
Rousimar Palhares improved his professional record to 11-2 the last time he stepped in the Octagon, scoring a first round submission against Tomasz Drwal. Palhares held the heel hook he had secured on Drwal several seconds after the Pol tapped out, which garnered the Rio resident a 90 day suspension from the New Jersey athletic commission. Palhares owns a 4-1 UFC record thanks to that victory, his only loss coming at the hands of Dan Henderson in September of 2008.
Palhares, who can make a big move up the middleweight rankings with a win over Marquardt, is looking forward to this evening's challenge.
"I am excited to meet him (Marquardt) and test my skills," Palhares said. "I have been working hard to fight the best fighters, and I think it is my time."
Bodog.com UFC Fight Night Marquardt vs Palhares Betting Odds:
Nate "The Great" Marquardt -220
Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares +180
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