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It’s a big step down in competition for Greg Hardy compared to his last fight, as he faces Yorgan De Castro in March.
Greg Hardy’s return to the Octagon has been confirmed, as the former NFL player will take on the undefeated Yorgan De Castro.
The UFC revealed the news on Friday through their social media. This Fight Night card will mark the first time the UFC has hosted an event in Columbus in over a decade, with UFC 96 being the last card to take place in the city.
Hardy (5-2, 1 NC) replaced the injured Junior Dos Santos in his last fight to face Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC Moscow. Losing the fight by unanimous decision, Hardy had fought three weeks prior, when his decision win over Ben Sosoli was eventually turned to a no contest after the controversial heavyweight used an non-permitted inhaler in between rounds.
Much like his opponent, De Castro (5-0) is a new heavyweight on the scene only making his pro debut in late 2017. After winning a few fights on the regional circuit, De Castro was picked up by the UFC on the Contender Series when he earned himself a contract by stopping his opponent in the first round. Since then, the 32-year-old won his first UFC fight in October by first round TKO.
Also confirmed for the Columbus card was a light-heavyweight bout between Khalil Rountree and Sam Alvey. Rountree revealed earlier this week that this upcoming fight will be his last. Bantamweights Louis Smolka and Davey Grant will also meet on the card.
UFC Columbus takes place on March 28th at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight fight between 2019 breakout star Jairzinho Rozenstruik and former title challenger Francis Ngannou.