Dan Hardy Lashes Out at Critics, Fellow Fighters
by Scott Haber on Mar 1, 2010 9:32 PM EST
in MMA News
122 comments
In his blog for hometown news site This Is Nottingham, UFC welterweight title contender Dan Hardy fired back today at those who have recently criticized his chances against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 111, and his rapid rise to title contendership, including: American Kickboxing Academy fighters Mike Swick and Josh Koscheck, and GSP training partner Nate Marquardt:
I am a big underdog against GSP and every interview, every day, in emails from fans, I'm getting asked: 'How do you expect to beat GSP?' and 'Do you think you deserve a title shot?'
I am getting those questions all the time, like GSP is some kind of god and shouldn't even have to defend his title.
GSP has already beaten most of the top contenders. They've had their chance, while I haven't.
I've beaten everyone the UFC has put in front of me; I've never turned down a fight and I am not about to now.
On Swick:
I would have been happy having a couple more fights before getting my shot, but I was offered a spot as a late replacement against Mike Swick in a final eliminator in November, accepted, and beat him up.
It's funny Swick is now moaning that I didn't deserve this shot. Swick should have kept his mind off me and on his last opponent, Paulo Thiago, and maybe he wouldn't have been beaten again.
On Koscheck:
I am very amused Josh Koscheck is still bitching his lungs out that he deserves a title shot, not me.
British fans will know Koscheck as the Fraggle-haired guy who got sparked out in one round in London a year ago, only to take his loss out on an innocent chair backstage, scoring a split decision points win over the unsuspecting piece of furniture.
If you've forgotten that fight (and if you blinked, you'd have missed it) you'll see something very similar in May when Paul Daley knocks him out.
Koscheck says I have beaten nobodies but my latest win was over his supposed friend and team-mate in Swick.
How loyal. That's why Jon Fitch isn't improving, why Koscheck has so many one-sided losses on his record and why Swick will never fight for a title.
They aren't really a team, they don't have each others' best interests at heart and clearly there's a lack of respect in that gym.
On Marquardt:
Nate Marquardt is another guy who has been vocal that I am getting some sort of preferential treatment from the UFC.
He's a middleweight, so I can't see how this concerns him. But all I can say is if I don't curl up into a ball and get blasted in one round, I'll do better than he did in his title shot against Anderson Silva.
I've won four UFC bouts to get here, not-so-great Nate had three, none of which were against world-beaters.
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IDK why but I find Hardy to be extremly likable.
I know he wont beat GSP but I still can’t hate him.
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
by KingAtRock on Mar 1, 2010 9:34 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
There is something likable...
kind of in that spitting in the wind vein or tugging on Superman’s cape.
Same here
I find the guy really entertaining.
If Derek Jeter clubbed a baby seal on earth day while wearing a mink coat and crocodile skin boots while burning tires on an iceberg, the reaction would be "Its OK Derek, you’re a Yankee." -First mammal to wear pants
I agree, i usually dont like cocky fighters, by he isnt bad.
"Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit." -Mike Tyson
I agree with you guys, something about Hardy..
canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania
I'm on board too
"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I love, I will love with everything"
I always liked Hardy but thought he was a loud mouth, but the more I listen to him hes grown on me.
by bigc4277 on Mar 1, 2010 9:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i cant beleive i like him also,
still dont like bisping but i like this guy.
He won me over with the wrestling montage............
Still no chance he beats gsp though……….
Oh, yes, Meg, yes-yes yes, everything was going swimmingly for you until this. Yes, yes, THIS is the thing that will ruin your reputation, not your years of grotesque appearance, or your awkward social graces, or that Felix Ungerish way you clear your sinuses, no no no, it's THIS. Do you hear yourself talk? I might kill you tonight.
Both he and Daley are super entertaining...
…and come off less whiny than Bisping.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
Me too !!
Some people may not like him, but what he is stating is true..
No different than when Lesnar got his title shot either..
If Hardy puts up a fight, then he deserved to be there. Until then… It’s all subjective..
8-29-09
Keith Jardine is now known as "The Dean of Antihistamine" because he is always sleeping early in fights..
It's because in this PC world of ours he tells it just how it fuckin' is.
Like the AKA comment. When Fitch and Kos were going to say to hell w/ the UFC about the video game Swick was quick (pardon the pun) to call Dana and tell him “I’m your business partner.” On one hand, I wouldn’t want to lose my job because my friends were foolish, but then again, Hardy has a point. Those guys don’t REALLY have each other’s back through thick and thin.
me too
and he’s right. Koscheck is kind of a frat boy / jock douche, I hope Daly puts him to sleep.
I like Swick and Marquardt, but the UFC is not a league, it is a fight promotion, and they are jealous.
For all the crap I am sure he has to listen to and read about his fight with GSP I think he handles himself pretty well. People get so uppity when someone gets frustrated and blurts out how they feel and people forget how much shit that person had to deal with leading up to their statement. I think any lesser patient person would have flipped out by now. If someone like Lesnar had to deal with it, he’d have punched someone or broke a microphone by now. Not saying Lesnar is a bad person and I am a fan but I don’t see him having as much patience as Hardy has, answering the same questions over and over.
I think Hardy is good and on his way to greatness. love him or hate him…he appears to be a hard worker and you gotta respect him. Not sure he has a chance against GSP tho
I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine
~Bruce Lee
Favorite Blogs:
www.spongereport.com
www.yardbarker.com
www.milehighreport.com
www.bleacherreport.com
Hardy...
should be the last person making split decision jokes.
by William Wilson on Mar 1, 2010 9:35 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
But all I can say is if I don’t curl up into a ball and get blasted in one round, I’ll do better than he did in his title shot against Anderson Silva.
I take it he hasn’t seen a lot of GSP footage.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
Les detesters serrent detester.
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
by Ubernoober on Mar 1, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
First comes the arguing, then comes the french and THEN the surrender.
Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.
I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me". Good point there, after all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. Wouldn't change the fact I have to bum rides off of people.
by SamCupitt on Mar 1, 2010 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 10 recs
And...
he shouldn’t really talk smack about Nate fighting non-world beaters when his wins (two by split decision, no less) are laughable for a no. 1 contender.
I am an American and a huge GSP fan but....
I love this guy, he speaks his mind and is actually educated.
by coleko on Mar 1, 2010 9:38 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Nice, a fighter with a Flair for the dramatic
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
he makes some salient points
Especially considering the very recent history of the people he’s referring to in this post.
More people should take a page out of GSP’s book: treat every fighter in front of you as a dangerous professional who could ruin your night.
by ruckus on Mar 1, 2010 9:39 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I love Hardy's shit-talking, BUT
So much for the “training partners having each other’s back” thing. Anyone remember that Daley and his boyz, on the Countdown show to his fight with McLovin, said he’d be the first British Champion in UFC history. Umm…
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Oh ya I forgot about that lol
But he wasn’t directly insulting Hardy like Kos was.
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
Still
Both seemed to be accidental, you know? Kos went right back on that statement.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Ya I get what your saying.
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
Kos has always shit all over Swick
Whenever he talks about AKA, he says something to the effect of “nobody wants to fight me or Fitch man.” Swick doesn’t even seem to belong there to be honest.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
Well he was a middleweight for a while. And he’s really not on their level. But still that does seem like a dick move.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Yeah, Swick should really go back to MW
He looked a lot better there and at least he won’t be directly competing with Kos and Fitch for contendership and whatnot when it appears obvious he can’t compete with them.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely
He had a lot more power at 185, and really seemed at home there (despite people suggesting he’s a small 185, which I don’t agree with at all, just because he isn’t a beast like Belcher or Anderson).
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
And he had a speed advantage that is nonexistent at welterweight. His nickname doesn’t even make sense anymore.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Mike "Lethargic" Swick
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
I think people pretty much means Joe Rogan. He wants everybody that isn’t a giant at their weight class to cut down. It’s a bit ridiculous. Not everybody is Gleison Tibau.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
I'd agree
Except there was a thread here not long ago where about five people jumped down my throat about it.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Meh
I’d say they haven’t watched the guy fight at both weight classes. The results speak for themselves.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
More on topic, I’d say it was a bunch of empty hype, probably wasn’t thinking “I’m going to be the first British champion [because Hardy’s going to get his shit wrecked].”
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
Now thats how you talk smack!
I really like that mouthy Brit.
by Rayce. on Mar 1, 2010 9:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Facts are the best insults
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Mar 1, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
FTW HARDY!
GSP is great, but boring as hell lets be honest. I also think Hardy is a better fighter than HE wants people to believe.
Agreed. I think he’s comfortable playing the underdog role and is perhaps hoping his opponents underestimate him.
by cauliflower_ears on Mar 2, 2010 2:08 AM EST up reply actions
Call me hater
But I still think “and now I’m going to go talk some more shit on twitter” is the best soundbite this side of Stockton.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Much as I love Hardy
His statement about Kos having one-sided losses doesn’t quite make sense to me. The Fickett fight was forever ago (thus to me irrelevant), he took Alves on short notice, fought GSP at the worst time possible when he was coming off of the Serra loss and still got a few takedowns, and got knocked down by Paulo Thiago after he had been hitting him over and over with good shots. Koscheck has improved over time.
Fitch, on the other hand, is the same guy he’s always been, so that’s a fair point, and Swick will forever be irrelevant at WW. If you’re going to shittalk though, at least get your facts straight.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 10:00 PM EST reply actions
I don't know that you can blame Fitch's lack of growth on his training
I mean its not like he’s a scrub. He is the second best welter. He’s beat everybody he’s been put in front of not named GSP. Maybe he hasn’t gotten better because he’s reached his ceiling.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Look at Kos though
Pure wrestler when he started out, but now he’s got a bit of striking too, giving him the ability to mix it up. Fitch has very lackluster standup and doesn’t seem to be working on improving it.
Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.
by lowellthehammer on Mar 1, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
this^
even though I think Fitch is the second (maybe third including BJ) best WW in the world he just seems content in grinding out dec. victories
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
You are excusing Kos . . . in 4 fights!
by bignerd on Mar 1, 2010 10:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
only to take his loss out on an innocent chair backstage, scoring a split decision points win over the unsuspecting piece of furniture
My favorite line from this article. I dunno, guys like Mir and Ortiz annoy me but I gotta agree that there is something likable about Hardy, even when he’s trash talking.
it’s because he doesn’t take it way too seriously and doesn’t say anything really insulting or outlandish, just clowns on peoples’ fighting-related actions. it’s called being real. people like real
Goldie: "Michael Jordan-esque in his grappling skills is Travis Lutter."
Rogan: "No, no he's not. No."
GSP has already beaten most of the top contenders. They’ve had their chance, while I haven’t.
I’ve beaten everyone the UFC has put in front of me; I’ve never turned down a fight and I am not about to now.
And I agree with him on this. It’s not his fault that GSP has essentially cleaned out the top tier of the division. He stepped up and beat Swick fair and square to earn his shot…
I like this guy . . .
Than again it’s not hard to talk shit to the AKA camp. They sorta are that weak heel no one feels threatened by.
or indifferent.
as a 36 year old who already won the belt twice and is getting called out by those who likely have no chance at a title picture themselves, there’s nothing in it for him. he’s here for big fights, big money. hence, abu dhabi, renzo gracie; not having a wrassling match with kos or fitch, and certainly not having a dry humping session of swick.
Boy got a Mouth on him
had 2 cents for everybody, good stuff though, cant really argue with it…Like his comment about Marquardt the best
by RiskReturnGroup on Mar 1, 2010 10:12 PM EST reply actions
They'll prolly just close the gym.
and rename it Brown Pride Acadamy for Cain
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
nah he trains at AKA
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
Nope.
That’s why there’s the ongoing joke about how he’s such a great wrestler like Kos, they’ll turn him into a middling kickboxer.
(Though, this was before the Nog fight, so yeah…)
New Orleans Saints - 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Unbelievable. Who Dat.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by themachiavellian on Mar 1, 2010 10:23 PM EST up reply actions
This is why I love Hardy
he’ll make this match interesting with his mouth alone.
AWmusic - mp3 blog.
http://twitter.com/awmusicblog
on rough house
hardy had this to say
The Rough House IS a team. We are 14-1 in our last 15 bouts and the one loss was when Ross Pearson and Andre Winner fought each other. I am glad I have their backing against GSP.
thats pretty impressive
Ya I read that article.
he has a point, Rough House IMO is the best gym in the UK.
tabreaz said - "Brock a national champion? Are u actually seriously saying brock is better than rogers due to him being a champion in a completely differant sport?"
Isn't Youtube fun?
Team Kaobon ain't so bad either
They’ve got Terry Etim and Paul Taylor, and now Paul Kelly left Wolfslair to join them.
What about Team Hammerhouse I mean Wolfslair honk honk.
by Postpubescent on Mar 2, 2010 4:58 AM EST up reply actions
everything he says makes sense here...
i wouldnt be sad if he lands a bomb on GSP…. whatever. i hope he goes in there swingin for the fences like he says hes gonna, and you know what? he will….. will he connect? who knows, but he could.
"But all I can say is if I don't curl up into a ball and get blasted in one round, I'll do better than he did in his title shot against Anderson Silva."
Curling up in a ball might be his best shot at victory. Maybe GSP will twist an ankle walking across the octagon to knee him in the liver and have to tap out from the pain.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Mar 1, 2010 11:02 PM EST reply actions
"I've won four UFC bouts to get here, none of which were against world-beaters."
Well he got that right, at least.
Anybody who gives AKA a verbal beatdown like that gets a:
Thumbs Up!
by SidHartman on Mar 1, 2010 11:29 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Hardy is a promoter's dream
Talks a great game and shows up to fight.
I like Hardy because he’s a smart guy, but he’s also a realist. He’s basically saying “hey, GSP has to fight somebody, so I’ll fight him.”
What’s the guy supposed to do, say no?
Reality < Chael
Chael got some good line, but he talks more nonsense than hardy.
"You hit too hard, too hard, too hard..."
channel sonnen. ....
He just makes up lies ( which I am sure has nothing to do with his political affiliation) , Hardy makes valid points and is hilarious. Plus Hardy is capable and plans on ending every fight he is in; channel plans on taking his championship shot to the judges. Ie " I am five strike attempts away from being champ" channel is what is wrong with this world! And what’s wrong with combat sports if I wanted to see a fighter purposely go to a decision I would watch boxing.
Hardy > sonnen ×100000
by Rayce. on Mar 2, 2010 10:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
As a Brit
I am astonished by how much love Hardy’s getting. I thought he was going to get Bisping’d!
Great article, the comment about Nate Marquardt made me go check Wikipedia to see who he beat in his run up for a title shot.
Get rid of the ramp!
Bisping’d!
If you mean over promoted and shoved down our throats while fighting an early slew of lackluster opponents than no.
The problem wasn’t Bisping, it was the sale of Bisping.
Hardy is a rockstar!
Let’s see..
1) he got his facts straight
2) he’s a genuinely funny bastard
3) he has an undeniable charisma… maybe the most in the UFC next to BJ and Forrest
4) he a tough SOB
5) he seems loyal to his crew
6) he only picked on dudes that went after him …and tooled on each and every one
the dude rocks! I love GSP and all he stands for, but damnit, I’m actiually fidning myself rootin’ the Outlaw
by Stevefiji on Mar 2, 2010 3:59 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
True.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 2, 2010 8:41 AM EST up reply actions
I loved his interview he did with can of beans in front of him. If you haven’t seen it YouTube it. It made me laugh that’s for sure.
by Rayce. on Mar 2, 2010 10:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hardy knows exactly what he's doing
He has seized a great opportunity with a few good performances inside the cage and some brilliant self marketing outside the cage. He fired up the ever excitable Davis and kept us interested when he fought Swick. And even if you think he will get repeatedly taken down and brutalized by GSP, you have to be a bit interested in this fight.
He is right on target with everything he said there. Dan has more charisma than Koscheck, Swick and Marquardt put together. I’m personally sick of the pre-packaged, generic answers which GSP now recites in every interview, nice to see some color.
Ouch
I’m not a Hardy fan, but there’s a lot of truth in those comments.
basically he got Marquardt’s number . . . calling out Swick was just too easy . . . and we will see what happens with Koscheck in his next fight.
What he said about his title shot was honest and fair.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 2, 2010 8:41 AM EST up reply actions
Hardy just glove slapped everybody.
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
Yeah. Isn't it great?
You have to be the man... you have to be very, like, alpha male with her. You know? Decide what you do and everything. So, show her who's the boss, you know? - GSP
Not a fan of Hardy's fighting...
I don’t think he is where he thinks he is, ability-wise, but I have to admit he is one amusing dude. He’s right about his comments regarding AKA, particularly about Fitch not improving and Swick never fighting for a title. Any beatdown on AKA, whether verbal or in the cage, gets a smile out of me.
You have to be the man... you have to be very, like, alpha male with her. You know? Decide what you do and everything. So, show her who's the boss, you know? - GSP
Is he right about Fitch not improving? The guy hasn’t lost since GSP, and handily defeated Paulo Thiago, who’s another Top 5 WW (and likely also a better fighter than Hardy).
The Hardy fued with AKA is fun and makes for entertainment, but I don’t imagine Hardy would actually beat either Fitch or Koscheck if/when they fight.
“Fraggle-haired guy” – all i’m saying is….hardy makes me laugh. i’m with pud333, Hardy is pretty damn funny. he’s got some not so far off assessments either….and GSP’s beaten both Kos and Fitch…who haven’t done much since then (other than lose or barely scrape by in some cases) to make anyone thing GSP wouldn’t batter them over 5 rds.
Gatti. Dekkers. Pele. Aoki. Kang. Vanderlei. Basillio. Harry Greb.
by theworldsoldestsport on Mar 2, 2010 10:57 AM EST reply actions
He's right
Each one of his little diatribes against those fighters, I have to agree. I like Dan, he’s got this honest/cocky persona that works well for him.
It’s impossibly to win at smack talk with Hardy because he doesn’t give a crap and he’s so good at the talk himself. Plus most of what he says is pretty close to reality.
It’s like getting into a fight with a hockey player. Do you really win if your opponent doesn’t care about getting punched in the face? They don’t really care much about being a bloody pulp, they just want to hit you. If you don’t like getting hit in the face a la Marcus Davis, you’re in a lose-lose situation. The best course is to either adopt the same attitude, or to go GSP’s path which is to not engage with him. Say what you want about GSP, he masterfully avoided the potential trash talk war that Hardy tried to bait him in.
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