UFC commentator Joe Rogan wasn’t thrilled with Greg Hardy’s UFC debut earlier this month against Allen Crowder.
Joe Rogan was not happy with Greg Hardy’s recent UFC debut.
On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the UFC color commentator called Hardy’s Jan. 19 debut against Allen Crowder “a joke.” Hardy, a former NFL player who has been convicted of domestic violence, was disqualified for an illegal knee near the end of the first round.
“Terrible,” Rogan said of Hardy’s loss to Crowder. “It was a joke. It was a joke.
“I knew that guy was fading quick. … I was like, ‘He’s fading. I don’t like the way he’s stepping, he looks exhausted.’ He tired out quick, then he hit that dude with the illegal knee.”
Rogan implied he was not impressed with Hardy’s performance, nor with the opportunity given to him.
Many fans and media disagreed with Hardy’s placement on UFC Brooklyn, which was headlined by Henry Cejudo’s 32-second win over T.J. Dillashaw. Hardy vs. Crowder was the co-main event of the card, which marked the promotion’s first show of the ESPN era. The main card streamed on ESPN+, with prelims on ESPN.
Many believed Hardy was so high up on the card because of his name value and past, and not because of his accomplishments in the sport. Many argued beforehand he did not deserve to be in the UFC or on the Brooklyn card at all, never mind in the co-feature spot.
Hardy transitioned to MMA in 2017, making his amateur debut late that year. He won three amateur fights by first-round knockout, and turned pro last year. Hardy had two fights on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, and then a fight at Xtreme Fight Night 352, which was featured on UFC Fight Pass. A quick win over Rasheem Jones last September punched Hardy’s ticket to the UFC.
The Crowder loss dropped Hardy’s pro record to 3-1, and marked his first defeat in MMA.