Following his loss to Chris Lytle at UFC on Versus 5, it was all but certain that Dan Hardy’s time in the Octagon had run out.
But UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta assured the British striker will remain in the organization despite suffering his fourth consecutive defeat. A bad string of luck would have any fighter receive their walking papers, but it appears Hardy is a little more fortunate.
“It’s a nice vote of confidence from the big boss,” Hardy told MMAJunkie.com following the event.
“Obviously, a lot of people are three losses and out. I’m obviously four down now, and I appreciate he’s going to give me another opportunity.’
Hardy came into the UFC with a lot of momentum behind him, tallying off three victories, which would lead to a UFC title shot against Georges St-Pierre. Along with his punk-rock image and brawler-like attitude, It would seem that the organization would have another star to market in the United Kingdom following Michael Bisping’s success.
But Hardy would endure back-to-back losses to St-Pierre, Carlos Condit and Anthony Johnson. It would be a different story had he lost to mid-tier level competition, but luckily Hardy has been able to stay in competitive bouts. And with possibly one last opportunity, Hardy said he wants to step away from competition and improve his skills as a mixed martial artist.
“I think my head’s elsewhere to be honest. I’m going to step back a little bit and take some time,” he said.
Hardy has already began to make adjustments to his game plan, as he has relocated to Las Vegas full-time. And perhaps battling against adversity with a successful training camp, along with a successful mindset, might just be what Hardy needs to readjust himself and return to action.
“I think if they are going to give me one more fight, then I really need to take some time and come back reinvented,” he said.
“If I’ve got one more fight, then I’ll take one more fight. But maybe it won’t be for a little while.”
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com