Suffering his fourth straight loss in the Octagon Sunday night, former No. 1 welterweight contender Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy (23-10, 1NC) is planning on taking some time off before he takes his next fight.
Luckily for him, and his fans, he’ll have that fight in the Octagon as UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta vowed not to cut him via Twitter despite the defeat.
Hardy was submitted in the third round by Chris Lytle in the main event of yesterday’s, August 14, UFC on Versus 5 event from Milwaukee. The bout was also Lytle’s last pro-fight as ‘Lights Out’ officially retired after the fight.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Hardy was unsure what his future held for him but noted he would take some time off to make that decision.
“I think I had the quickest rise and quickest fall the UFC has ever seen four fights up, four fights down… ”
“For right now, I need space from competing and need space in the gym, getting beaten up by much better guys in every area. I’ll either improve or find another way. If I’ve got one more fight, I’ll take one more fight, but maybe it won’t be for a while… ”
“I think my head’s elsewhere, to be honest. I’m going to take some time, enjoy being in the gym for a little bit and see where it takes me. … I just think I need to really dedicate the time to do it and either come back in a blaze of glory and make a run for the belt, or maybe do something else. I’m not sure yet.”
Props to MMAFighting.com for Hardy’s transcription