Greg Hardy is a Pro Bowler, a domestic abuser and a UFC fighter. He's hoping the latter makes people forget one of the former.
UFC jumped on the Greg Hardy train early, bringing him onto Dana White's Contender Series just months after his amateur debut. He'd piece together another pro win on the program while under a "developmental contract" that also saw him win a fight in quick fashion in September in XFN.
Hardy taken down for the first time! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/jOfqClVGcI
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
Hardy officially made his UFC debut in the co-main event of UFC Brooklyn's card on Saturday night, the first on the ESPN series of networks for the UFC. After a promo where Hardy questionably said the fight would be "murderously awesome," he took to the cage against opponent Allen Crowder.
Crowder talking to Hardy in the Octagon, then lands a flurry of punches on him! Wow! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/Iaoq01D96X
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
As it turns out, Crowder was a more formidable opponent than previous Hardy victims. Crowder was able to take down Hardy in the first round, and encouraged the former NFL star to stand and strike with him in round two. Out of nowhere, Hardy responded to a stuffed takedown with an illegal knee that stopped the fight.
Greg Hardy's UFC career: 1 DQ pic.twitter.com/hJH7CFfUEz
— Joey Hayden (@_joeyhayden) January 20, 2019
Hardy was welcomed with chants of "asshole" after the incident, and Crowder was awarded the disqualification win. The loss is Hardy's first in his MMA career.
You can see our full, live coverage of UFC Brooklyn at this link, and our live, post-show podcast at this link. We go live at 2 PM EST every Tuesday at 2 PM EST on FightfulMMA.com with the Fightful MMA Podcast.
