He's fighting his way back into a bright future in the UFC.
The former light heavyweight James Te Huna will make his debut at middleweight next month and face Marquardt who also makes a return to the weight division, after knockout losses to Jake Ellenberger and Hector Lombard.
Both fighters have a lot to prove. Te Huna's loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua left him stunned, Tom Wright, UFC director of operations for Canada, Australia and NZ, says this event will get the public excited.
Five fights are added to the undercard, with Māori fighter and welterweight Robert Whittaker, confirmed to meet Mike Rhodes with the other five or six bouts to be added.
Local talent could be added to the card with the final call to come down to matchmakers Sean Shelby and Joe Silva, and a few big names are considered to travel to NZ to promote the event.
With the significance of the event being its first here in NZ, UFC President, Dana White may make an appearance.