MMA could be getting a little more interesting, as former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy has announced he’s turning his efforts and focus to becoming a professional MMA fighter.카지노사이트
Normally this would be the point in time where we congratulate a star athlete on their new career choice, wish them luck, etc. But Hardy is a notorious woman beater who seems to have absolutely no chill.
Even if somehow Hardy magically isn’t what the courts and media have painted him out to be (he maintains his innocence). He still seems like one sketchy dude who makes questionable decisions.
After flaming out of the NFL at just 28 years old – largely due to all that “beating women” stuff – Hardy seems to have gotten the hint that his pro football days are in the rearview mirror. Now he’s figuring to channel his physicality, athleticism, size and clear need to beat the living hell out of something into doing it for money.
It certainly makes good sense.
Just because Hardy is a big, monstrous dude (he stands in at 6’5” and as an NFL defensive end, he’s a bit of a hulk) doesn’t mean he has the skill-set, stamina or resilience to be successful in mixed martial arts at a professional level.
It also doesn’t guarantee anything comes of this. It sounds like Hardy is serious about fighting and will get the opportunity to do so, however, so that got us to thinking – who would we like to see Greg Hardy face?
This is assuming, of course, Hardy fares well enough in sure-to-be initial cakewalk matchups to help generate publicity and momentum. Should he ever make it to the UFC, here’s five fights we’d love to tune in for:
Brock Lesnar
Hey-o! Okay, Lesnar is still under contract with WWE and is even facing a drug penalty (and possible suspension) from the UFC. But the former heavyweight champ fought (and won) this past summer and maintains he didn’t use any steroids.
Lesnar has also suggested that he’s a “prize” fighter and that he’d be open to future UFC bouts as he tries to successfully put a positive wrap on a once promising MMA career. He has little to prove after obtaining and defending the UFC heavyweight belt. But perhaps these allegations of PED abuse may drive him to return again, better than ever.
Depending on how Lesnar’s situation unfolds. He’d have to be the first big name most people think of that would be fun as heck to take on Hardy. They’d be similar in size and power, as both have football backgrounds and played on the defensive line.
Hardy has already made it be known that due to his size, strength and power, he’d undoubtedly be competing in the heavyweight division. If that’s the case and he somehow works his way into the UFC, this has to be the first fight everyone pines for.
Stipe Miocic
Miocic makes a ton of sense as the current UFC heavyweight champ. Should Greg Hardy works his way up the ranks and make a case for a title shot. He’d currently be looking at a date with the impressive and powerful Miocic.
Miocic has been beyond impressive, really, as he’s marched to a 16-2 record inside the Octagon. He’s displayed brute power and striking ability through the process, while losing just once by knockout. He’s been red hot lately, too, with four straight victories. While taking down big names like Mark Hunt, Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem in the process.
It’s easy to suggest Miocic won’t be at the top of the UFC forever. But even if he’s not, his striking ability will be fun to witness close up against someone like Greg Hardy.
Fabricio Werdum
Werdum is another interesting heavyweight talent, and with his age (39) and status as a top heavyweight title contender. He’d undoubtedly be one of the many pieces of an ugly UFC gauntlet Greg Hardy would have to work his way through to get to the top.
Werdum is no punk, either, as he sports a strong 21-6 record in the UFC’s toughest division and owns impressive wins over Mark Hunt, Travis Browne, Cain Velasquez, Fedor Emelianenko and Roy Nelson.
Not only does Werdum pack a serious punch (6 knockouts), he also has some of the best technical skills of the best heavyweights (10 submissions). His ability to kill the opposition in more than one way at an elite level is what makes him so dangerous.
A showdown with Greg Hardy would be very interesting. As both men would stand nearly eye to eye and would share similar strength and power. Werdum would go in with a severe skill-set advantage, though, and would probably submit Hardy rather quickly.바카라사이트
Cain Velasquez
Velasquez is one of the nastiest UFC fighters around, so naturally if Greg Hardy proves himself and works his way up the UFC heavyweight ladder, a showdown with one of its top fighters makes sense.
Currently the #2 heavyweight contender in the UFC, Velasquez has worked his way back up to get another title shot and if he ever faces Hardy. It’s quite possible he does it as the UFC champ. He’s tasted that glory before and after dealing with some struggles. It’s known that he wouldn’t relinquish it again so willingly.
On paper Velasquez seems like the perfect opponent for Hardy, as he’s a pure striker who really doesn’t try to go to the ground or get a win via submission. Hardy would have a serious size and reach advantage. But he’d have to be ready for some truly powerful blows and simply put. A guy who knows how to fight standing up.
Alistair Overeem
Overeem is another heavyweight contender that pops up right away when you thinking of UFC fighters you’d like to see Greg Hardy battle. As he’s virtually the same size and has been an extremely prevalent force at the highest level.
Overeem does have 15 career losses to his name, but he’s also racked up an insane 41 wins. With 18 wins by knockout and 19 by submission. Overeem has proven over time that he’s one of the more versatile and balanced heavyweight talents around.
His laundry list of big wins goes on forever, too, as he’s toppled star fighters like Junior dos Santos, Roy Nelson, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt and Vitor Belfort, among others.
An impressive resume’, an elite skill-set and his natural physical presence could make Overeem the ideal matchup for Hardy, should the former NFL player work his way up to his level. Of course, as we’ve seen, that’s a far way to climb and The Demolition Man has left many bodies behind en route to where he is now.
Fedor Emelianenko
We’ll chalk this one up as one of those classic “legend” fights. Fedor is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all-time. If not at least the best heavyweight MMA fighter we’ve ever seen.
The guy was just so dominant and he slapped people around with such reckless abandonment that it often looked too easy or that he was destroying people out of sheer annoyance. He’s since regressed mightily and is obviously nowhere near the fighter he once was, but even at 40. We couldn’t rule out another fight for Fedor.
Getting back into the ring to beat down Greg Hardy would certainly be worth tuning into; we know that much.
Conor McGregor
Okay, so this won’t ever happen due to McGregor being a smaller dude and in the featherweight division. But it’s absolutely a fight we’d want to see.
McGregor has been one for showmanship and promotion, so the idea itself actually isn’t that crazy. He’s stepped up his game and out of his element before, too. When he twice faced Nate Diaz in the UFC’s lightweight division.
All of that is a far cry from talking on a brute like Hardy. Even if he has no MMA experience. It’d potentially be a bad situation for the UFC’s top fighter and isn’t something that could actually happen. That being said, it’d be fun to watch.
For the sake of getting all the fights we’d love to see. Let’s include the top non-heavyweights we wouldn’t mind going toe-to-toe with Greg Hardy in the Octagon:
- Jose Aldo
- Frankie Edgar
- Robbie Lawler
- Donald Cerrone
- Michael Bisping
- Luke Rockhold
- Chris Weidman
- Vitor Belfort
- Daniel Cormier
- Jon Jones
Okay, you get it. The list goes on, and a lot of this would be fun, but it’s just not feasible. Most of these guys are too short or just too tiny overall and the weight class would never mesh enough.
Still, Greg Hardy making it to the UFC for even one fight and going up against one of the guys we listed above would certainly be must-see TV. Here’s to hoping it happens!온라인카지노
