Although the future for Nate Marquardt still remains a mystery, sources say that the former UFC middleweight contender might end up in Bellator according to bloodyelbow.com.

"ESPN is hearing from a source inside Bellator, who contends the company actually tendered an offer to Marquardt. In addition, reports indicate Bellator was/is interested in having him compete at middleweight" said a statement released by ESPN.

Bellator's CEO, Bjorn Rebney, contrastingly stated that although he has interest in the middleweight fighter, formal negotiations between Marquardt and the promotion has yet to take place.

Should Marquardt fight in Bellator, there are already two possible match ups. One is with Bellator's welterweight champion, Ben Askren, who has stated that he would "crush" Marquardt if the two fought. Askren has been openly critical through his twitter account of the testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) controversy that got Marquardt banished from the UFC. Another bout is with Bellator's middleweight champion, Hector Lombard.

By bringing in Marquardt into the Bellator roster, he would provide the promotion with a well known name but also bring along any negative attention from his fallout with the UFC and the TRT scandal.

It remains to be seen if a deal between Marquardt and Bellator would materialize. Another option for Marquardt would be signing with the newly revitalized ProElite promotion. ProElite have already signed former UFC heavyweight champion, Andrei Arlovski, to headline one of their events.