Biography
Hardy was born in Nottingham, England, where he began martial arts training at the age of 5. Hardy's initial education was in taekwondo, and he later began competing at the age of 7. He started practising other martial arts as a teenager, which included karate, jujutsu, judo and eventually wushu. He began muay Thai and boxing at the age of 19. He then moved to mixed martial arts a year later. His nickname, "The Outlaw", comes from the screen name he used online when he was looking for training partners after a disagreement with a coach which led to his former training partners being forbidden to work with him. [2]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hardy defeated Akihiro Gono via split decision in his UFC debut at UFC 89 on October 18, 2008. [3] Gono was left swollen and bloody by several of Hardy's left hooks. [4] Gono rocked Hardy on several occasions. In the third round, Gono pushed Hardy to the canvas and while there, landed an illegal knee to the head of the downed fighter causing the fight to be stopped for a lengthy period and a point deduction for Gono. Hardy recovered and went on to win the split decision (29–28, 28–29, and 29–28).
Hardy knocked out Rory Markham at 1:09 of the first round on 21 February 2009 at UFC 95. [5] [6] In his post-fight interview, Hardy retorted to Markham's pre-fight accusation that he had weak hands by exclaiming to the ecstatic crowd, "No punching power? What do you have to say about that?"
Hardy next faced Marcus Davis at UFC 99 on 13 June 2009. The grudge between the two began with the American Davis fighting in the UK against local fighters and defeating them all. Hardy stated that the UK was his home and began openly insulting Davis, calling him a 'fake Irishman' and stating that Davis's website "looked like a St. Patrick's day gift shop blew up." [7] Afterwards, on a UK underground MMA website, Hardy encouraged fans to post photoshopped pictures of Davis in a homosexual fashion. The pictures upset Davis, causing him to confront Hardy at a UFC 99 press conference. The two continued to argue, but finally agreed to settle it in the cage. [8] Hardy won the fight via split decision. Davis stormed out of the cage, ignoring Hardy's attempts to make peace. Davis later told reporters that he wanted a rematch with Hardy in Ireland or Boston, as well as stating how controversial he thought the decision was. [9] Hardy insisted in his post-fight interview with Davis (and after the event to fans) that all of the controversy was an effort to get Davis off his game-plan and that it was nothing personal.
On 14 November 2009 at UFC 105, he faced Mike Swick, who replaced an injured Dong Hyun Kim. At a press conference in Manchester [10] Hardy was the underdog coming into the fight, [11] but managed to rock Swick early in the first round with a straight right hand, which appeared to dent the American's confidence. [12] Hardy won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28) and booked his place as the #1 contender for the UFC Welterweight Championship. In being awarded the title shot, Hardy became the first English fighter in UFC history to receive one. UFC President Dana White confirmed at the post-fight press conference that the fight would most likely be held in Las Vegas. Hardy stated in a post-fight interview with Sherdog.com that the next event in Las Vegas (UFC 109) in February was too early for him and he would rather wait. [13]
Title shot
Hardy fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on 27 March 2010 at UFC 111 in Newark, New Jersey. [14] St-Pierre won the bout via unanimous decision. [15] [16] After the fight, St-Pierre stated his surprise that Hardy refused to tap. In the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Hardy stated "....tap?...I don't know the meaning of tap." [17]
Post-title fight
Hardy faced Carlos Condit on 16 October 2010 at UFC 120 in his home country. During an exchange late in the first round, both Hardy and Condit threw left hooks at the same time: Hardy's punch staggered Condit, although Condit's punch dropped Hardy. [18] Condit followed up with two more punches on the ground, causing the referee to stop the fight at 4:27 of the first round, giving Hardy his first KO loss.
Hardy faced Anthony Johnson on 26 March 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24. Hardy lost via unanimous decision.
Hardy faced Chris Lytle on 14 August 2011 at UFC on Versus 5. [19] Hardy stated that he had changed his training going into the fight, moving to Las Vegas to train at the Country Club with Roy Nelson to work on his grappling, particularly his wrestling defence/offence. [20] He lost the fight via guillotine choke late in the third round. The bout was awarded Fight of the Night honours. Despite losing four fights in a row, Lorenzo Fertitta quoted he would not cut Hardy from the UFC, stating: "I ain't cutting Dan Hardy. I love guys that war!".
Hardy faced Duane Ludwig on 26 May 2012 at UFC 146. [21] Hardy defeated Ludwig via first-round KO, earning him his first victory since 2009.
He defeated Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27) at UFC on Fuel TV 5 on 29 September 2012. [22]
Hardy was expected to face Matt Brown on 20 April 2013 at UFC on Fox 7. [23] However, Hardy was diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White pattern [24] and replaced by Jordan Mein. [25]
Medical condition
In 2013, Hardy was diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. A treatment for Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome is ablation, cauterising of heart tissue to fix the electrical pathway issue, however Hardy has refused to have this treatment on the basis that the condition has never actually given him any problems. [26] Eventually in October 2018 Hardy said in an interview that he has been medically cleared and eligible to return to fighting. [27]
During his hiatus, Hardy served as a commentator for UFC's Fight Pass events, [28] and works as an analyst on Fox Sports. In August 2017, Hardy joined Sky Sports as an analyst for Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor. [29] [30] [31] On 15 August 2019 Hardy appeared as a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, revealing he is joining USADA testing pool in order to be eligible for competition. [32]
While on commentator duties for the second Polaris Squads event, Hardy revealed that he was planning to make his return to professional MMA for one final fight in the UFC at some point in 2021. [33]
While working as a commentator at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till on 26 July 2020, Dan Hardy was involved in a verbal confrontation with referee Herb Dean after Hardy took offence to what he believed to be a late stoppage by Dean in a bout between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert. UFC president Dana White indicated afterwards that he would not take action against Hardy but that he would not tolerate any confrontations of officials in future. [34]
In March 2021, news surfaced that Hardy had been released from the UFC after he had been involved in another argument with a female UFC employee. Hardy disputed that he was terminated, however, and stated "I am no longer working directly with the UFC, ‘female’ part is irrelevant. It was a disagreement over an opportunity missed, or withheld, and I’d love some answers but can’t get any." [35]
In May 2021, Hardy announced that he had been released from his UFC fight contract. [36]
Johny Hendricks is an American former mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler. He competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a former UFC Welterweight Champion.
Georges St-Pierre, also known by his initials GSP, is a Canadian actor and former professional mixed martial artist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. St-Pierre was a two-division champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), having won titles in the welterweight and middleweight divisions and has defeated every opponent he has ever faced.
Michael Timothy Swick is a retired American professional mixed martial artist, who spent most of his career competing for the UFC's middleweight division. Swick, who trains at American Kickboxing Academy alongside fellow welterweight standout Jon Fitch, entered the UFC after appearing on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Robert Glenn Lawler is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed between 2001 and 2023. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion, former EliteXC Middleweight Champion, and has formerly competed in Strikeforce, PRIDE, and the IFL. Nicknamed "Ruthless", he is known for his aggressive fighting style, and was considered a fan favorite. Three of Lawler's title bouts, against Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, and Carlos Condit earned numerous awards for the Fight of the Year in their respective years.
Nickolas Robert Diaz is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Diaz is a former Strikeforce, WEC and IFC welterweight champion and a UFC title challenger. He also notably competed in PRIDE, EliteXC, DREAM, and Shooto. Nick is the older brother of former UFC fighter Nate Diaz, with the pair of brothers being one of the biggest influences in the sport of MMA.
Martin Kampmann is a retired Danish professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former Cage Warriors World Middleweight Champion.
Josh Koscheck is an American retired mixed martial artist who fought at Welterweight for the UFC and Bellator MMA. Koscheck made his debut with the UFC on the first season of the reality television show, The Ultimate Fighter and fought for the company 25 times from 2005–2015, compiling a UFC record of 15–10. He was a runner up for the UFC Welterweight Title.
Marcus Paul Davis, is an American professional mixed martial artist and former professional boxer who is perhaps best known for competing in the UFC. A professional MMA competitor from 2003 until 2014, Davis also competed for Bellator MMA, the MFC, the Cage Fury Fighting Championships, and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 2.
Carlos Joseph Condit is an American former professional mixed martial artist. He previously competed in the Welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion. Condit formerly fought in the UFC's sister promotion, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), where he was the final Welterweight Champion. Condit has also competed for both Shootboxing and Pancrase in Japan.
Benjamin Saunders, is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights in the Welterweight division. He was a featured fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, fighting on Team Serra. A professional competitor since 2004, Saunders has formerly competed in the UFC and Bellator.
Matt Brown is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 2008 until 2024. Brown gained entry into the UFC after competing on the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter television series.
Amir Ali Sadollah is a retired American mixed martial artist, formerly with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was the winner of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 7. He has fought exclusively within the confines of the UFC Octagon since the beginning of his MMA career, making him one of the few fighters who have done so.
Paul Anthony Daley is a British former mixed martial artist and kickboxer. A professional competitor from 2003 to 2022, Daley competed for the UFC, Bellator, K-1, Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Final Fight Championship, EliteXC, ShoXC, BAMMA, Cage Warriors, Cage Contender, Shark Fights, Pancrase, and Impact FC. Daley is a former Cage Rage World Welterweight Champion and Cage Rage British Welterweight Champion and a Strikeforce title challenger.
Brock Orville Larson is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. A professional competitor from 2002 until 2016, Larson has formerly competed for the UFC, the WEC, and ONE FC.
DaMarques Johnson is a retired American mixed martial artist. He competed for the UFC and King of the Cage and was the Welterweight runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom.
James Brett Wilks is an English former professional mixed martial artist. As a professional competitor from 2003 until 2012, he competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, and was the winner of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom
Rory MacDonald is a Canadian former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Prior to signing with the PFL, MacDonald competed for Bellator MMA, where he is a former Bellator Welterweight World Champion. Having been a professional competitor since 2005, MacDonald was a top contender in the UFC with an overall UFC record of 9–4, and challenged for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 189 against then-champion Robbie Lawler. He is also a former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.
Jim Wallhead is an English former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. He has competed for BAMMA, Bellator, and M-1 Challenge and the UFC.
UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 16, 2010, at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom. The card featured six televised MMA bouts, as well as four un-aired preliminary bouts.
Pascal "Panzer" Krauss is a retired German mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His German nickname translates to 'tank' in English.
