Former UFC commentator and fighter Dan Hardy has opened up on his release from the promotion.
After being relieved of his duties at the commentary table when his relationship with the UFC turned sour, there were still questions surrounding Hardy’s fighter contract.
What next for Hardy?
Now, after weeks of speculation, it’s been confirmed that Hardy is also now a free agent as a fighter too.
During an interview with MMA Fighting, Hardy went into more detail about how things went down.
“(It felt) kind of weird,” Hardy said.
“I’d always got this perception that my career within MMA would come to an end, and it would end with the UFC. I never intended on fighting past a UFC contract.
Hardy went on to discuss his initial plans for a complete change, and how he was considering going to university before stepping into commentary.
“When I was on that four-fight losing streak, and I was considering stepping away, I wasn’t thinking of going anywhere else. I was thinking about studying philosophy at university, a complete directional change. I always felt like my career, as far as professional MMA, would start and finish with the UFC.”
“But then admittedly, I didn’t expect it to continue on so long after me being a fighter. I’d not really considered the idea of being an analyst or commentator. So I’m very thankful for that time and that opportunity. But it’s weird, because I’m still very much in professional MMA and do want to be.
“Now I’m right on the outside of the UFC for the first time in, well, forever. Before I was unknown to the UFC, and then I was under UFC contract from 2008, and now I’m just not a part of it at all, with efforts to properly exclude me in every way possible, which feels really odd as well, because I don’t feel like any of it is warranted.”
Hardy proceeded to reveal that he wanted more of an input over potential opponents, something which he felt he wasn’t afforded in the UFC and a factor in his request to be released. He also toyed with the idea of fighting in Japan when asked who he’d like to compete against down the line.
“If I’m daydreaming, I can see myself fighting someone like [Takanori] Gomi in RIZIN,” Hardy said. “That would be a lot of fun. I know [Shinya] Aoki’s moving around weight classes in ONE, but I don’t think I’d be able to get down to 170 to be walking around on Fight Week.”
Featured image credit: Getty
