Dan Hardy
Born	May 17, 1982 (1982-05-17) (age�28)
Other names	The Outlaw
Nationality	English
Height	6�ft�0�in (1.83�m)
Weight	12�st (76�kg; 170�lb)
Division	170
Reach	74.0�in (188�cm)
Style	Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Jiu-jitsu, Boxing
Fighting out of	Nottingham, England
Team	Team Rough House
Rank	���� black belt in Tae kwon do ���� brown belt in BJJ
Years active	2004–present
MMA record
Total	31
Wins	23
By knockout	11
By�submission	4
Losses	7
By�submission	3
By�decision	3
No contests	1
Other information
University	Nottingham Trent University
Official website
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: August 30, 2009

Dan Hardy (born May 17, 1982) is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2004, Hardy fought in various promotions such as Cage Force and Cage Warriors before signing a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2008. He is the current Cage Warriors welterweight and light-welterweight champion. His nickname is derived from the fictional character Robin Hood who shares Hardy's hometown of Nottingham. Hardy is currently ranked by Sherdog as the #4 welterweight fighter in the world.

Career in the UFC

Hardy made his UFC debut at UFC 89, defeating Akihiro Gono via split decision. Gono was left swollen and bloody by several of Hardy's left hooks. Gono rocked Hardy on more than one occasion. In the third round Gono pushed Hardy to the canvas and while there landed an illegal knee to the face of the downed fighter causing the fight to be stopped for a lengthy period. Hardy recovered and went on to win the split decision. The judges saw the bout 29–28 (twice) for Hardy and 29–28 for Gono.

Dan Hardy beat Rory Markham at UFC 95 in the first round (1:09) by KO with a clean counter left hook. A follow-up shot on the mat brought in Kevin Mulhall to stop the fight. 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?”

Dan Hardy next faced Marcus Davis at UFC 99 on June 13, 2009. The grudge between these two men began with the Irish-American Davis fighting in the UK against local fighters and defeating them all in spectacular fashion. 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' website "looked like a St. Patrick's day gift shop blew up."

Afterwards, on an 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 at UFC 99 awarded the fight to Dan Hardy. Marcus Davis stormed out of the cage ignoring Hardy's attempts to make peace. Davis told reporters that he wants a rematch with Hardy in Ireland or Boston. Hardy insists in his post-fight interview with Davis (and after the event to fans) that all of controversy was an effort to get Davis off his game-plan and nothing personal.

Title aspirations

On November 14, 2009 at UFC 105 he faced Mike Swick who replaced an injured Kim Dong-hyun. At a press conference in Manchester Hardy and Swick discussed the winner of their fight getting a title shot against Georges St-Pierre. 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. Swick appeared to be uncomfortable standing toe-to-toe with the Englishman and Hardy proceeded to rock him again in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Hardy won the fight by unanimous decision and booked his place as the number 1 contender for Georges St-Pierre's Welterweight title. In being awarded the title shot, Hardy became the first British 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. Dan stated in a post-fight interview with Sherdog.com that the next event in Las Vegas (UFC 109) in February was a little too early for him and he would much rather wait.

Hardy was then scheduled to face Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on March 27, 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 was also able to secure a tight armbar and kimura in the first and fourth rounds, with Hardy refusing to tap despite the risk of his arm being broken. St-Pierre defended his title in a unanimous decision after 5 rounds (50-43, 50-44, 50-45), after the fight stating his surprise that Hardy wouldn't tap.

Post-title fight

Following his loss to St-Pierre, Hardy stated his belief that he could still become welterweight champion within 12 months.

Hardy was next scheduled to fight at UFC 119 against Dustin Hazelett, who was coming off a loss to Hardy's team-mate, Paul Daley. Verbal agreements were made, but Hazelett later withdrew as he is due to get married in September.

Personal life

Hardy is a fan of hardcore, punk and metal music, to the point where he is sponsored by Nottingham-based metal record label, Earache Records. He has a passion for art, rarely spending a day without a sketch pad in his bag until the age of 22. He gave up his degree in art and design in his final year at Nottingham Trent University to pursue MMA full time.

Mixed martial arts record

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location'	Notes
Loss	23-7 (1)	Georges St. Pierre	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 111: St.Pierre vs. Hardy	02010-03-27 27 March 2010	5	5:00	Newark, New Jersey	For UFC Welterweight Championship
Win	23-6 (1)	Mike Swick	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera	02009-11-14 14 November 2009	3	5:00	Manchester, England
Win	22-6 (1)	Marcus Davis	Decision (Split)	UFC 99: The Comeback	02009-06-13 13 June 2009	3	5:00	Cologne, Germany
Win	21-6 (1)	Rory Markham	KO (Punch)	UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson	02009-02-21 21 February 2009	1	1:09	London, England
Win	20-6 (1)	Akihiro Gono	Decision (Split)	UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben	02008-10-18 18 October 2008	3	5:00	Birmingham, England	UFC Debut
Win	19-6 (1)	Daniel Weichel	TKO (Elbows)	UF: Punishment	02008-05-03 3 May 2008	2	1:49	Doncaster, England
Win	18-6 (1)	Chad Reiner	KO (Punches)	CWFC: Enter the Rough House 6	02008-04-19 19 April 2008	3	2:10	Nottingham, England
Win	17-6 (1)	Manuel Garcia	Submission (Punches)	CWFC: Enter The Rough House 5	02007-12-08 8 December 2007	1	2:21	Nottingham, England
Loss	16-6 (1)	Yoshiyuki Yoshida	DQ (Accidental groin kick)	GCM: Cage Force 5	02007-12-01 1 December 2007	2	0:04	Tokyo, Japan
Win	16-5 (1)	Hidetaka Monma	TKO (Corner Stoppage)	GCM: Cage Force 4	02007-09-08 8 September 2007	3	0:29	Tokyo, Japan
Win	15-5 (1)	Daizo Ishige	Decision (Unanimous)	GCM: Cage Force 3	02007-05-27 27 May 2007	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Win	14-5 (1)	Willy Ni	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	CWFC: Enter The Rough House 2	02007-04-28 28 April 2007	2	0:39	Nottingham, England
Win	13-5 (1)	Alexandre Izidro	TKO (Punches)	CWFC: Enter The Rough House	02006-12-09 9 December 2006	3	4:56	Nottingham, England
Win	12-5 (1)	Danny Rushton	TKO (Corner Stoppage)	CWFC: Showdown	02006-09-16 16 September 2006		5:00	Sheffield, England
Loss	11-5 (1)	David Baron	Decision (Unanimous)	2H2H: Road to Japan	02006-06-18 18 June 2006	2	3:00	Holland
Loss	11-4 (1)	Forrest Petz	Decision (Unanimous)	Fightfest 2	02006-04-14 14 April 2006	3	5:00	Canton, Ohio
Win	11-3 (1)	Diego Gonzalez	TKO (Cut)	CWFC: Strike Force 5	02006-03-25 25 March 2006	3	0:19	Coventry, England
Win	10-3 (1)	Matt Thorpe	Decision (Split)	CWFC: Strike Force 4	02005-11-26 26 November 2005	3	5:00	Coventry, England
No Contest	9-3 (1)	Diego Gonzalez	No Contest	CWFC: Strike Force 3	02005-10-01 1 October 2005	2	1:19	Coventry, England
Win	9-3	Sami Berik	Decision (Unanimous)	CWFC: Quest 3	02005-09-17 17 September 2005	3	5:00	Sheffield, England
Win	8-3	Lautaro Arborelo	TKO	CWFC: Strike Force 2	02005-07-16 16 July 2005	3	3:52	Coventry, England
Win	7-3	Alexandre Izidro	Decision (Majority)	KOTC: Warzone	02005-06-24 24 June 2005	2	5:00	Sheffield, England
Win	6-3	Stuart Barrs	TKO	UK: Storm	02005-06-18 18 June 2005	2	N/A	Birmingham, England
Loss	5-3	David Baron	Submission (Triangle Choke)	CWFC: Strike Force	02005-05-21 21 May 2005	2	3:10	Coventry, England
Win	5-2	Andy Walker	TKO (Strikes)	CWFC: Quest	02005-04-08 8 April 2005	1	N/A	Yorkshire, England
Win	4-2	Lee Doski	Submission (Injury)	Fight Club UK 1	02005-01-29 29 January 2005	2	N/A	Sheffield, England
Win	3-2	Aaron Barrow	KO	CWFC 9: Xtreme Xmas	02004-12-18 18 December 2004	1	0:13	Sheffield, England
Loss	2-2	Pat Healy	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	Absolute Fighting Championships 10	02004-10-30 30 October 2004	1	3:50	Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Win	2-1	Andy Melia	Submission (Strikes)	CWFC 8: Brutal Force	02004-09-18 18 September 2004	2	N/A	Sheffield, England
Win	1-1	Paul Jenkins	Decision (Majority)	Full Contact Fight Night 2	02004-08-14 14 August 2004	3	5:00	Portsmouth, England
Loss	0-1	Lee Doski	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	Extreme Brawl 7	02004-06-06 6 June 2004	2	4:59	Bracknell, England

References and footnotes

This article uses bare URLs in its references. Please use proper citations containing each referenced work's title, author, date, and source, so that the article remains verifiable in the future. Help may be available. Several templates are available for formatting.�(January 2010)

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

• Professional MMA record for Dan Hardy from Sherdog