Dan Hardy

Daniel Mark Hardy (born 17 May 1982) is an English former mixed martial artist who fought in the welterweight division.

During his professional MMA career, which began in 2004, Hardy fought in multiple promotions, such as Cage Force and Cage Warriors, before signing a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2008.

Hardy defeated Akihiro Gono via split decision in his UFC debut at UFC 89 on October 18, 2008.

Gono was left swollen and bloody by several of Hardy's left Hooks.

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 with a clean counter left hook on 21 February 2009 at UFC 95.

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 he did not want Davis in it, building a fan base.

It started to get personal when Hardy 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."

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.

After a three-round war, the judges awarded Hardy a razor-thin split decision victory.

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.

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 Hardy was the underdog coming into the fight, but managed to rock Swick early in the first round with a straight right hand, which appeared to dent the American's confidence.

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.

In 2010, he fought Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship, but lost the bout via decision.

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 practicing other martial arts as a teenager, which included karate, jujutsu, judo and eventually wushu.

After he had finished college, 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.

Hardy fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on 27 March 2010 at UFC 111 in Newark, New Jersey.

During the bout, St-Pierre was able to take Hardy down at will, controlling him with effective ground and pound.

St. Pierre also attempted a kimura in the first and fourth rounds, but Hardy escaped.

St-Pierre won the bout via unanimous decision.

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."

Hardy faced Carlos Condit on 16 October 2010 at UFC 120 in his home country.