In anticipation of UFC 111's welterweight title fight between champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Dan Hardy, people are weighing in on the legitimacy of the number one contender. Middleweight fighter Nate Marquardt had his own take on the matter.

"I think Georges is going to kill him," Marquardt told The Canadian Press last week.

Even though Hardy has a 4-0 UFC record, he has been criticized for his quick rise to the top of the organization's 170-pound division.

"I think Dan Hardy's an up-and-comer guy," continued Marquardt. "He's a young guy. He has a lot of potential. In my opinion, he's a good B-level fighter, and I think Georges is going to destroy him."

Some believe that Hardy is not the most deserving welterweight for a title shot. Others in the division, like Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck are sometimes placed higher than Hardy on ranking lists. However, UFC President Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva felt that Hardy was worthy of being the number one contender.

Marquardt thinks otherwise:

"He's young, that's the thing," said the middleweight. "He could be a great fighter one day. But he's not there and he's getting his shot way too early."

While this will be Hardy's fifth trip to the Octagon, St. Pierre received his first title shot on his third trip. However, St. Pierre fought for the vacant welterweight title, while Hardy will be looking to take the belt from the champion.

UFC 111 will take place on March 27 in Newark, N.J. The event will feature a championship double-header. Not only will St. Pierre take on Hardy, but the interim heavyweight belt will be put on the line as Frank Mir will take on Shane Carwin to find out who will face Brock Lesnar in his return to the Octagon.