Greg Hardy created some controversy when he was signed by the UFC, mainly due to past allegations of domestic abuse from an ex-girlfriend.
The fighter, who is also a former NFL player, says that he is an innocent man and always has been.
“They’re trying to prey on me, man,” Hardy said at the UFC Vegas 12 post-fight press conference (via MMA Junkie). “You guys know me by now. I would’ve jumped off a building or done so crazy T.O. stuff if I was that guy you’re always talking about. I’m not. I never will be. I’m a good guy. I’ve been a good guy – an innocent man. I always have been.”
Hardy, five years ago, was convicted of domestic violence after allegedly slamming an ex-girlfriend on a pile on semi-automatic weapons and choking her, while threatening to kill her. Hardy would later settle outside of court and the allegedly abused woman would stop cooperating with authorities according to Deadspin.
Now that his family is safe from persecution, Hardy believes the truth about him could start coming to light.
“The hate against me was so loud that you would’ve never believed me,” Hardy said. “Nobody would ever believe me. I’ve been telling you the same thing since literally Day 1. From the very beginning, I’ve said the same exact thing. Now, it’s just the time to where I’m in a place where I brought myself back. My family is safe from being targeted. My financial situation is not. My career is not. My family is safe. So now I can actually start to put the truth out there. I have a son. I have a daughter, who carries my last name. I need that name cleared. My little brother is about to try to get in the NBA and the NFL. I need them to have that name and be proud to wear that name and not be persecuted and not be talked about and not be brought down by that name because it’s not right. That’s why I’m doing it.”
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates and predictions.
