Having not played in the NFL since 2015, former Pro Bowler Greg Hardy fully understands that his football career is likely over. A serious domestic violence situation off the field and some odd actions as a member of the Dallas Cowboys pretty much ended that possibility.
Since he last played in the NFL, Hardy has been training to become the next great UFC star in the Octagon. Hardy has won his first three MMA fights and has a fight scheduled against fellow former NFLer Austen Lane next week.
Should Hardy come out on top, UFC head Dana White might be prepared to offer him a contract. White himself also had nothing but praise to throw in the direction of Hardy when talking about the former defensive end recently.
“Yeah, listen, it’s one of those things in life. There’s a couple things in life that are hard to bounce back from, White told TMZ Sports when answering critics about UFC’s involvement with Hardy. “People make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes…I think this guy has obviously been punished (cut by the Panthers, cut by the Cowboys). He’s completely sober now. He’s turned his life around. And now he’s going to get an opportunity to perform in a different sport.”
There are certainly some who don’t want to see Hardy get another shot. That’s more than warranted. White’s stance is that Hardy does deserve a second chance and has turned his life around.
It will certainly be interesting to see what comes of Hardy’s MMA career should he take out Lane on June 12. But he seems to have a backer in White. That’s never a bad thing.