Ex-Dallas Cowboys star gets embarrassed in MMA

One of the most intriguing post-NFL career paths belongs to Greg Hardy. Rather than stepping away from professional competition, the former NFL defensive end fully committed to mixed martial arts and has managed to find some success along the way. Few former football players make such a transition, making Hardy’s MMA journey particularly notable.

>However, his latest appearance at Fight Nation Championship 31 against Darko Stosic did not go according to plan. The heavyweight bout carried plenty of pre-fight intrigue, but none of it mattered once the action began. Hardy suffered a brutal knockout loss in a performance he would likely rather forget.

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>Reports indicated that Hardy entered the fight with a 52-pound weight advantage over Stosic. Despite missing the required weight by more than 25 pounds, the bout still moved forward. In hindsight, Hardy may have benefited from postponing the fight and arriving in better condition.

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) and defensive end Greg Hardy (76) during the game against the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Stosic seized control in the third round with a crushing left hook that rocked Hardy and sent him stumbling backward. Moments later, Hardy failed to see a looping overhand punch coming. The shot landed flush and dropped the former NFL defender to the canvas. Stosic followed with a devastating punch to the jaw, prompting the referee to stop the fight.

>The loss marks Hardy’s fourth defeat in his last five fights. While his MMA career showed promise early on, he has struggled to maintain momentum in recent years.

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>Before entering combat sports, Hardy enjoyed a productive NFL career. The Carolina Panthers selected him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and he quickly developed into one of the league’s more disruptive defensive ends. Hardy recorded 11 sacks in 2012 and followed that with 15 sacks in 2013, earning Pro Bowl honors.

Mar 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Serghei Spivac (red gloves) fights Greg Hardy (blue gloves) during UFC 272 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

However, his NFL career took a dramatic turn in 2014. After receiving the franchise tag from Carolina, Hardy was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list following domestic violence allegations. He appeared in just one game that season.

>Hardy signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 and delivered a respectable season, but the organization chose not to re-sign him. He never played another NFL game.

>Now, Hardy’s fighting career may also be approaching its conclusion. He currently owns a 3-1 professional boxing record and an 8-6-1 mixed martial arts record.