Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Executive Director Greg Sirb has released a statement on former UFC middleweight Nate Marquardt, who was slated to headline UFC on Versus 4 before failing to be medically cleared, but offered few details due to privacy laws:

From MMAjunkie:

“We gave him every opportunity,” Sirb said. “The last report we got was 4 o’clock yesterday. We had given him as much leeway as we could, but obviously, when you’ve got a live event, you’ve got to make a call at that time.

“(It’s) pretty straightforward stuff. You’ve got to meet these requirements, and there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. Unfortunately, he did not. I felt for the kid. I really did. He knew about it, and I think he was trying.”

With the UFC and the state releasing everything they legally can, it’s now up to Marquardt to talk about the issue if and when he wants to.

With that said, the commission can release the report of a failed drug test, so it is reasonable to assume that was not the culprit, nor was weight an issue as Marquardt was below the required weight.

It is not uncommon for fighters to wait until the weeks (and in many cases a week) before the scheduled fight to get their paperwork and clearance from a commission. For a fighter to not get the required clearance this late in the process is a rarity, however.

The PSAC also issued an indefinite suspension pending Marquardt meeting whatever requirements he failed at a later date. Marquardt has already paid a price for his failure to get licensed, as UFC President Dana White unceremoniously fired the longtime UFC contender yesterday upon hearing the news.

For more on this developing story and complete UFC on Versus 4 coverage stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.