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Dan Hardy Says He's a "Fighter" While GSP Only an "Athlete"

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On some level I sympathize with Marcus Davis because Dan Hardy's outrageous self-promotion has gotten into my head as well. I picked Swick to win today, but part of me hopes he doesn't just so GSP gets a chance to offer Hardy some exposure about what championship level talent looks like.

Yes, I know. You can't blame Hardy for believing in himself and wanting to fight the champion. In fact, it's admirable and I hope every fighter who earns a shot gets the opportunity. But I also hope GSP offers Hardy a real lesson in self-awareness. As of now, the Brit sorely lacks it.

Click on the picture to see Greg Savage's interview with Dan Hardy. He talks everything Swick and potential future showdown with the current welterweight champion.

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I don’t know about the lot of y’all but Hardy has really grown on me. He could very well end up like a U.K version of Tito Ortiz.

’’Apparently the the only way to kill a lion is by rear naked choke…personally i’d just kick it in the head.’’ – Bas Rutten

"I am impervious to all pain!" – Pat Smith, UFC 1, right before tapping out to a Shamrock heel hook.

by Pennywise on Nov 14, 2009 11:12 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Except Tito is the longest reigning LHW champ in UFC history while Hardy never will be champ as long as GSP fights at 170.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 11:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions   2 recs

You never know.

Maybe the fight could get stopped because of a injury or a cut. =P

Outside of those chances then no the odds are not in his favor.

’’Apparently the the only way to kill a lion is by rear naked choke…personally i’d just kick it in the head.’’ – Bas Rutten

"I am impervious to all pain!" – Pat Smith, UFC 1, right before tapping out to a Shamrock heel hook.

by Pennywise on Nov 14, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I feel the same way. I have really became a fan of Dan Hardy. I just accept a lot of his talk as good self-motivation and self-promotion. Both of which seems to be benefiting him greatly.

I do see some of Dan Hardy’s talk as fake. However I take GSP’s over the top praising of his opponent for every fight even more fake. GSP sticks to the same script every time for every fight before and after. Over the top praise for his opponents no matter what.

Just BE.

by mattman73 on Nov 14, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

so whats wrong

with giving your opponent the respect they deserve? They fought to make their way to the title, that in itself is deserving of respect from your opponent. It might seem fake to you, but is there not the possibility that GSP is sincere with his praise?

by proflex on Nov 14, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I just find it real fake since GSP does it every time. I admit I’m not a GSP fan though. So that would probably explain my feelings about him doing that. Just like most everyone else I tend to embrace the good or overlook the bad actions of the fighters I like. Then in turn I nitpick and complain about the actions of the fighters I don’t like.

So honestly there is nothing wrong with it. I’m just not a fan of GSP so I nitpick for stuff to justify my dislike for him.

Just BE.

by mattman73 on Nov 14, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Im not sure what you mean by over the top praise, the last 3 guys he fought have all been elite fighters so saying something like “he’s the biggest challenge of my career” or whatever isn’t being fake, it’s the truth.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 12:52 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

As I said before like most everyone else I tend to embrace the good or overlook the bad actions of the fighters I like. Then in turn I nitpick and complain about the actions of the fighters I don’t like.

I admitted I am not a fan of GSP. Therefore I don’t need sane and logical reasoning for the complaining I do about him. I am on the interwebs right?

Just BE.

by mattman73 on Nov 14, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe on the Sherdog forums, usually that type of thing doesn’t fly here.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 3:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Guess my sarcasm wasn't very good.

Come on… are you serious? You have never noticed someone on here complain about a fighter without logical thinking just because they don’t like them. Maybe the problem is I’m admitting it.

As for the Sherdog forums I have never been there. What are they like? Are they good? Did you get run off from there for not having a sense of humor or something? Cause you sound bitter against them.

Just BE.

by mattman73 on Nov 14, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Sorry maybe I’m taking it a little too seriously, it just annoys me when someone talks their way into a title shot (I’m looking at you Shane Carwin). And no I’ve never posted on Sherdog, I’m not enough of a meathead to keep up with all the shit talk over there.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 7:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

It’s all good.

Just BE.

by mattman73 on Nov 15, 2009 12:06 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, because no one does that here. Think BJ Penn.

by Dropkick434 on Nov 14, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

It is possible that GSP is sincere but I don’t think he is at all. He cares about his image too much. He’s like a robot, he gives programmed politician answers all the time and it’s really annoying. Awesome fighter tho.

by Ilias on Nov 14, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree. I love GSP as a fighter but he really has no personality. It’s all the same:

“Joe Blow is the biggest challenge of my career.”
“Bob X is my problem, and I’m going to solve it.”

Guys like Brock, Hardy, and BJ get flack for all the ridiculous things they say, but at least they’re interesting.

And as far as this athlete/fighter stuff goes, who cares? GSP is one vicious motherf*cker in the cage.

by MMAEruption on Nov 14, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

So BJ Penn or Thiago Alves = Joe Blow huh? Yeah that makes sense.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 3:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Only an athelete?

Ok that might be true, but GSP is one of the best “atheletes” in the game. Something you’ll find out if you manage to beat Swick. Personally, my money is on Georges.

by proflex on Nov 14, 2009 11:13 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Thank You

I think it is funny when fighters try to cut on people who are “athletes.” GSP has beaten up every “fighter” he has come across. GSP and Anderson Silva are really the next generation of fighters, who are both athletes and fighters. It is like any other sport, the popular sports get all the best athletes and the other sports get the leftovers. It is similar to what Tiger Woods did for golf, the players coming up now could excel at any sport, but they choose golf now.

Honestly, does anyone think that Dan Hardy is worthy of fighting with GSP? GSP is better in every single category. I actually like the guy, I just think this is a boring fight for one of the UFC’s remaining healthy superstars.

by b_radical on Nov 16, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

If you think you deserve a title shot that’s fine, say so, but have a little humility about it, especially when 2 of your last 3 wins have come by split decision. It’s not like the guy has been finishing people left and right, he’s squeeking out victories against guys nowhere near the level of GSP.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 11:15 AM EST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

I actually lie Dan Hardy.

Fighters over athletes, this is martial arts.

by Meshuggeth on Nov 14, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I guess that is why some folks will always love Tank Abbott.

by Stanlee on Nov 14, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

You say that like it's a bad thing.

"I would approve signing a pitcher that ate kitten tacos if he won 20 games a year." -BPinOK

by duck on Nov 14, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

he’s a black belt is kyokushin (spelling?) and bjj. He is a martial artist, he just happens to be a superior athlete as well.

"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight what you saw, in the ring"

by crinow on Nov 14, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Dan Hardy Says He's a "Fighter" While GSP Only an "Athlete"

And that is exactly why he will fail.

for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.

by Bandaka on Nov 14, 2009 11:20 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Being an ‘athlete’ gets you nowhere in the MMA game. Just ask Jason Mcdonald

by StevenGiles on Nov 14, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

zing!

Kuwabara Kuwabara

by J. B. Maddox on Nov 14, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Hardy boy needs to worry bout them AKA boys for real.

"i think triforce is a pretty cool guy. eh shots his sword at ganon and doesn’t afraid of anything."

by emjay08 on Nov 14, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Hardy would be lucky to survive the first round against GSP. To be fair, a lot of people in the WW division probably wouldn’t make it out of the first round against GSP though.

I don’t think we’ll get the chance to see if this is true any time soon, as I think Swick will win the fight today by a healthy margin.

by Estrada on Nov 14, 2009 11:48 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

GSP would smash Hardy

by KYBengalsFan on Nov 14, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Bisping used to talk a ton of shit also

hopefully a Swick knockout will humble him.

by DamnSevern on Nov 14, 2009 11:53 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Luke i think your overreacting a little. I think Hardy was fairly complimentary to GSP while he stated why he thinks he can beat him. Maybe his wording could have been better, but what else did you want him to say, that GSP is unbeatable and I can’t wait to get my clock cleaned?

by Nick Travaglini on Nov 14, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Thats what I was thinking. He didn’t really say it in a demeaning way at all.

by mburtoni on Nov 14, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

this……plus I agree with the fighter/athlete statement anyways..

by Reaser16 on Nov 14, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Agree with this. Hardy was very complementary and did not call him “ONLY” an athlete, which is an important distinction and a bit disingenuous.

But here we go…people picking apart everything Hardy says and willfully misinterpreting it…yawn

by An0nymous on Nov 14, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

…lesson in self-awareness…

That’s a great line, but it’s probably more befitting of the random TUF contestant who’s 4-0 and wants a title shot.

At 22-6 Hardy’s at least earned the honor to run his mouth.

We’d better not see any one on their knees when they get the mic though if you know what I mean.

by casey manrique on Nov 14, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Everyone could use more self-awareness, though having competed in college basketball I can say that at a certain level of competition it is actually advantageous to lose some self-awareness as its needed to gain confidence.

I’m not so offended by Dan not really knowing his role at this point in his career, but I suspect he’s bravado will go the way of Bisping’s post Hendo if not by the hand speed of Swick then by GSP’s elbows.

On a side note – GSP needs to go train at Xtreme Couture for a few weeks. If he is going to be completely dominate on the ground he needs to learn the spanking Tito move for guys like Hardy.

by pwrcartel on Nov 14, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

damn all this time i just thought GSP was boring but now i know he is an athlete thanks hardy

"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar

by pitbull187 on Nov 14, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Hardy is an bright & charming showman

I think he’s got a bright future.

by asa on Nov 14, 2009 12:50 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

What is the actual quote? I’m on my phone so I can’t watch the interview.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 12:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

If GSP is just an athlete, then who's this guy?

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 14, 2009 1:02 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

Greasy Blanket

"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar

by pitbull187 on Nov 14, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I believe it was BJ Penn who last treated us to the he’s-an-athlete-I’m-a-fighter-comparison.

by casey manrique on Nov 14, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I know Hardy talks a lot of trash but its usually far more clever than the average trash talk and i dont think any of its personal. I think you have to take everything he says with a grain of salt but i generally find it all funny. Hes really growing on me quickly.

by Rabbit915 on Nov 14, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Yes, “GSP is just an athlete” is quite clever, never heard that before.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 3:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

I wasnt neccesarilly talking about this quote. I found his banter with Marcus Davis to hilarious.

by Rabbit915 on Nov 14, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

OK, Please don't manipulate and misinterpret things...

Dan hardy was pretty humble here, he just sounded like someone who was confident. What is wrong with that? He never said anything disrespectful about GSP at all! He made an analogy about his fighting style, and an accurate at that, that was all. Very disappointed with this article!

by Ilias on Nov 14, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I agree in some aspects. Hardy is a fighter, but GSP is a mixed martial artist.

Many, many years ago we all learned that a great fighter will always lose to an elite mixed martial artist. Guys like Leben, Kimbo, McFedries, Tank, etc. are great fighters but continually remind us of how the game has changed. They may be fun to watch, but against the elite they always fail miserably.

by MMArmy on Nov 14, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Did you just say Kimbo is a great fighter?

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 3:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

I’m really not sure if I’d go that far. Beating up some chumps in your homeboy’s backyard makes you a great fighter?

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 7:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Fighter means someone you wouldn’t mess around with on the street.

I’ll tell ya what, if i saw him on the street i would walk across the road. Ohh shit does that make me racists? Or a pussy? I’m a racist pussy ain’t i?

’’Apparently the the only way to kill a lion is by rear naked choke…personally i’d just kick it in the head.’’ – Bas Rutten

"I am impervious to all pain!" – Pat Smith, UFC 1, right before tapping out to a Shamrock heel hook.

by Pennywise on Nov 14, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Not really. Kimbo’s possee takes up all of the sidewalk.

Keep firing Assholes!

I am the King of Rome, and am above grammar. -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor

by Ubernoober on Nov 14, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

3 wins in the UFC and he has this much hype?

I don’t get it, besides a win over Marcus what makes everybody think he can hang with the big dogs of this division? He is going to get smashed, does anybody really see Dan Hardy beating guys like Alves and GSP? He’s a gatekeeper who brings hype to a fight, and happens to be from a country where the UFC is making a big push to enhance their fanbase.

by despisedIcon856 on Nov 14, 2009 2:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I don’t care what GSP is, he would still demolish Hardy.

Go Leafs and Bruins!

by Brad Ackerson on Nov 14, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Well I guess he’s going to get his chance.
I can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s face when Hardy gives a runner-up trophy to GSP.

Keep firing Assholes!

I am the King of Rome, and am above grammar. -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor

by Ubernoober on Nov 14, 2009 5:26 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Dan Hardy is well aware that quotes like these get him a mention on Bloody Elbow. I’m sure he’s also aware that he has only the smallest of a puncher’s chance against GSP. So if he beats Swick, we’ll all recognize this quote as the beginning of his campaign to get the title shot, and to try to shame Georges into standing with him, which is how I take the athlete vs. fighter quote. I’m becoming a huge fan of his, and Swick/Hardy is a tossup in my opinion. The guy is young, and has plenty of time to develop. I hope he’s successful in all this, so maybe GSP will kickbox with him, and we’ll get to see Georges kick his ass standing :)

by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 14, 2009 5:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I’d actually like to see Georges RNC him, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a sub from him.

by ufc4 on Nov 14, 2009 7:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I’m a Hardy lover, but a GSP fan too. I think this fight provides Georges an opportunity for a highlight reel finish of one sort or another, as long as he can avoid getting clipped with those hard hooks as he comes in.

by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 15, 2009 5:06 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

If by athlete he means “I don’t have a chance” he is accurate.

by b_radical on Nov 16, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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