Former NFL and UFC star Greg Hardy was brutally knocked out Friday night after making his bare-knuckle boxing debut. Hardy signed with BKFC after his UFC career ended after three knockout losses…and that’s exactly how Friday night’s fight went down.
Hardy took on Josh Watson and was the heavy favorite for the win, but he was hit with a huge left hook in round two after also being knocked off in round one.
Hardy had an explosive start to his career, winning his first three fights before signing with the UFC. But his first fight is a sign of what lies ahead, as he is disqualified after illegally kneeing a downed opponent. He picked up two more wins before being disqualified from another fight for using an inhaler between rounds. After knockout losses to Marcin Tybura, Tai Tuivasa and Sergei Spivak, Hardy is released.
He became the latest UFC star to join BKFC, along with Paige VanZant, Rachael Ostovich, Mike Perry and Chad Mendes who have moved into the sport in recent years, with mixed success for their crossovers.
Hardy will likely remain in the sport, having signed a multi-fight contract with the promotion and may seek revenge for his loss. The former UFC heavyweight took part in two boxing bouts, which he won, including one against Hasim Rahman Jr.
Hardy was one of the NFL’s top passers in his six years in the sport, recording 40 sacks during that time, but he was forced to walk away after a number of controversies.
In 2014 he was arrested and found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend. However, he later appealed and the charges were dropped when his victim failed to appear to testify.
This incident saw him cut from the Panthers, before he later joined the Dallas Cowboys on a one-year deal.
He then tried playing in the arena soccer league but eventually opted to move into MMA where he had some awesome moments in his time.
He retired with a winning record of 7-5, beating Maurice Green, Yorgan De Castro, Juan Adams, Dmitry Smolyakov and Rasheem Jones.
