Former Panthers and Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy, whose NFL career fizzled after a domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend, is now poised to advance in the world of the UFC.
Hardy has already fought three times, easily winning each fight. He will next appear at Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series on June 12, according to Pro Football Talk.
While Hardy easily defeated his previous opponents, this time the former NFL player will face MMA fighter Brandon Sayles, who will reportedly be a more serious test of Hardy’s capabilities in the ring.
The sixth round, 175th overall pick NFL draftee first signed with the Panthers in 2010 but was let go in 2014 after he was convicted of domestic abuse and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Hardy spent a single season with the Dallas Cowboys after turning free agent in 2015 but has been out of the league since.
Hardy’s conviction was later vacated and his arrest expunged from his record. But the player found himself shunned by the league despite the cleansing of his record after photos of his girlfriend’s injuries were made public.
MMA kingpin Dana White has made mention of Hardy’s past as a domestic abuser saying that he still felt it was appropriate to give the former footballer a shot.
“I’m not saying he should be welcomed here,” White said according to Sporting News. “I’m saying, I’m a guy who believes that if you make a mistake, your life isn’t over forever. When you make mistakes, it’s about how you act from there on out.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.