Heavyweight Greg Hardy, whose presence in the sport remains controversial to a degree, is potentially on the verge of entering the UFC’s top 15 rankings following his TKO win over Maurice Greene at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 39.
The former Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman missed most of the 2014 season due to an alleged assault incident involving a former girlfriend and a bed covered with firearms. The woman said he told her all the weapons were loaded, and that he threatened to shoot me if I went to the media or reported his assaults to anyone. She estimated between 25 and 30 guns, including AK-47s, automatic-looking weapons, shotguns, rifles, and pistols.
Hardy was found guilty by a North Carolina judge and received a suspended 60-day jail sentence plus 18 months probation. However, following procedure in that state, Hardy asked for a jury trial. The case was dismissed and the record expunged after the alleged victim did not appear in court.
Hardy couldn’t get signed by an NFL team and started to train at ATT, going 3-0 as an amateur, in an average time of 47 seconds. His pro debut was on Dana White’s Contender Series in June and August of 2018. Early in 2019 he got a UFC contract, but saw his big show debut marred when he was disqualified for an illegal knee. Hardy fought five times in 2019, bouncing back from the DQ with three wins (although the third win was changed to a No Contest over use of an inhaler he thought he had permission to use). His final fight in 2019 was a decision loss to now #6 ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov.
In 2020, Hardy bounced back from the loss with a decision win over Yorgan de Castro and Saturday’s TKO, but the assault allegations still hang over him. Combat sports have played a central role in the rehabilitation of countless lives. Still, although he saw his NFL career end in shambles, Hardy did not formally pay his debt to society. There has been no mea culpa, no repentance. Countering the need for that, Hardy has been steadfast that he is innocent.
People still call me a ‘wife beater’ on media circuits, said Hardy prior to his pro debut to Josh Gross for The Guardian. Nobody actually does their homework. I’m innocent, man. My government set me free just like it set anybody else free.
In an emotional interview at Saturday’s post-fight press conference, Hardy continued to argue that he is innocent and said there was an attempt to extort him, which nearly led to cancelation of the bout just two hours before fight time.
Some people from my past coming to extort me, put me in crazy situations, try to take food out of my family’s mouth, and … there’s a lot of outside circumstances going on, said Hardy. I was breaking down in my bathroom before I even started to fight. I was in tears trying to figure out how we’re going to function and if I could go on. It was just a lot of drama, man – people trying to take advantage of my situation.
They’re trying to prey on me, man. You guys know me by now. I would’ve jumped off a building or done some 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.
The hate against me was so loud that you would’ve never believed me. 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.
“I got executed by Instagram. I’m an innocent man that was never proven guilty, never called guilty, never anything, not even close. And I was executed in the public [eye] and it took away all the opportunities to chase my dream, the thing I worked two decades for – my yellow jacket in the NFL.”
“‘Greg’s weak, he’s not financially what he was, so we can attack him. Nobody’s going to be on his side, so we can attack him. We can take him. Let’s hit him up for 800.’ That’s the nature of people these days, and I want the world ot see that. Help.”
Hardy did not provide details on the alleged extortion, but it will likely come out in the following days. And the fighter’s attempt to clear his name apparently has begun on his social network.
h/t MMA Junkie
