Nate Quarry (Photo bloodyelbow.com)
UFC Ultimate Fight
Night 1 – Las Vegas, Nev. – Cox Pavilion - Aug. 6, 2005
The Ultimate Fighter finale was such a huge success that UFC
began airing “Ultimate Fight Night” shows on Spike TV later that summer.
Although Forrest Griffin and Diego Sanchez were the TUF
winners, Nate Quarry became the first alumnus to earn a title shot.
Quarry beat Pete Sell by TKO in 42 seconds, although the
fans protested that the fight was stopped too early. Quarry went on to
challenge Rich Franklin for the middleweight belt at UFC 56.
Former King of Pancrase Nate Marquardt won a unanimous decision
over Ivan Salaverry in the main event. However, Marquardt tested
positive for a banned substance in his post-fight drug test.