Greg Hardy Working On Being A New Person And Ready To Do Whatever It Takes To Reach The Top Of The UFC

There’s been no shortage of controversy surrounding Greg Hardy since he first appeared on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series and the debate as to whether the UFC should be in business with him probably isn’t going to end any time soon.

Hardy was found guilty of assaulting an ex-girlfriend, and sentenced to 18 months probation as well as being suspended for 10 games by the NFL in July 2014 (Wiki). The charges were subsequently dropped after the woman failed to turn up to court, but ever since Hardy’s brand has been forever damaged and his career ultimately took a turn in the direction of MMA in 2016.

Training out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, Hardy now works with some of the best in the industry alongside the likes of coach Din Thomas. Speaking this week on the Slip n’ Dip podcast, Hardy explained how he was now just totally focused on bringing his unique athleticism to each training session and winning over his ATT teammates.

“I try to bring that everyday man,” Hardy said. “I wouldn’t say it was initially all rainbows and butterflies. People had there scepticism at first and I took it all and I have along my whole journey so far. I just kill them with kindness and just make sure they know why I’m here. I just make sure I’m the hardest working man in the room and just do that.

“With that I’ve gained a lot of co-operation, a lot of friends and lot of comradery. They see that it is beneficial to them and it is beneficial to me to let me participate and let me be apart of the team. It’s honesty what I miss out on from being away from the football. That’s what I miss. Being part of a team, being part of a squad and just raising the level of play.”

Hardy is currently under a UFC developmental contract and looks set to take his next bout outside of the organization. With two wins, two knockouts and less than two minutes of Octagon time, there’s always the temptation to rush along his development but the former NFL man says he’s willing to put in whatever time is required for him to reach the top of the mountain.

“My man, quote me on this one, as long as it takes,” Hardy said when asked how long it will take him to challenge the top contenders in the UFC heavyweight division. “It’s not a sweet answer or a butter-up answer as long as it takes because that’s how bad I want to be there. It’s important to me not so skip those steps.

“Like I said before, I don’t want to fame my way up to the top, catch one of those opponents and maybe win. I want there to be no doubt and I want to have that Mike Tyson effect. You’re coming to see the man win and I want to change minds that way.”

Whilst others will focus on his previous misdemeanours, Hardy says he’s just focused on becoming a new person and improving as a fighter.

“I mean the boss man says that we would have to be atone for a lifetime to prove to ourselves we’re innocent man,” Hardy said. “All I can do is be strong in my faith and believe as a Christian that somebody gave life for my forgiveness and that I have to work on moving forward.

“That’s the situations that the new person is going to be in, those upcoming battles and controversy. This is the guy that has to make the right decisions and that’s the person I’m working on right now.”

Watch the full interview: