Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy Tribute – Rooftops

March 1st, 2010 In MMA | 15 Comments

Dan Hardy is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2004, Hardy fought in various promotions such as Cage Force and Cage Warriors before signing a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2008. He is the current Cage Warriors welterweight and light-welterweight champion. His nickname comes from the time he spent on the CageWarriors.com forums under the name “The Outlaw”. At the time, Hardy was looking for new training partners after his former coach and him could not see eye-to-eye. Hardy is currently ranked by Sherdog as the #4 welterweight fighter in the world. Hardy had been training in Tae Kwon Do since he was six years old. He moved on when taekwondo went down the Olympic route. He wanted real fights, so switched to Muay Thai instead. Hardy only became interested in Mixed Martial Arts after spending two months in China training with the Shaolin monks in 2002.[5] He then came back to England and competed in amateur MMA tournaments until his professional debut in 2004. Hardy is a member of Team Rough House alongside Paul Daley, Andre Winner and Dean Amasinger. Hardy has also spent time training at Xtreme Couture, Leicester Shootfighters and the Wildcard Boxing Gym.[5] He just received his Purple Belt in 10th planet jiu jitsu from Eddie Bravo. Hardy made his UFC debut at UFC 89, defeating Akihiro Gono via split decision. Gono was left swollen and bloody by several of Hardy’s left hooks. Gono rocked Hardy on more than one occasion. In the third round Gono pushed Hardy to the canvas and while there landed an illegal knee to the face of the downed fighter causing the fight to be stopped for a lengthy period. Hardy recovered and went on to win the split decision. The judges saw the bout 2928 (twice) for Hardy and 2928 for Gono. Dan Hardy beat Rory Markham at UFC 95 in the first round (1:09) by KO with a clean counter left hook. A follow-up shot on the mat brought in Kevin Mulhall to stop the fight. In his post-fight interview, Hardy retorted to Markham’s pre-fight accusation that he had weak hands by exclaiming to the ecstatic crowd, “No punching power? What do you have to say about that? Dan Hardy next defeated Marcus Davis via split decision at UFC 99 on June 13, 2009. The grudge between these two men began with the Irish-American Davis fighting in the UK against local fighters and defeating them all in spectacular fashion. Hardy stated that the UK was his home and he did not want Davis in it, building a fan base. It started to get personal when Hardy began openly insulting Davis calling him a fake Irishman and stating that Davis’ website “looked like a St. Patrick’s day gift shop blew up.” Afterwards, on an UK underground MMA website, Hardy encouraged fans to post photoshopped pictures of Davis in a homosexual fashion. The pictures upset Davis, causing him to confront Hardy at a UFC 99 press conference. The two continued to argue, but finally agreed to settle it in the cage. After a three round war, the judges at UFC 99 awarded the fight to Dan Hardy. Marcus Davis stormed out of the cage ignoring Hardy’s attempts to make peace. Davis told reporters that he wants a rematch with Hardy in Ireland or Boston. Hardy insists in his post-fight interview with Davis (and after the event to fans) that all of controversy was an effort to get Davis off his game-plan and nothing personal. On November 14, 2009 at UFC 105 he faced Mike Swick who replaced an injured Kim Dong-hyun.. At a press conference in Manchester Hardy and Swick discussed the winner of their fight getting a title shot against Georges St. Pierre. Hardy was the underdog coming into the fight, but managed to rock Swick early in the first round with a straight right hand which appeared to dent the American’s confidence. Swick appeared to be uncomfortable standing toe-to-toe with the Englishman and Hardy proceeded to rock him again in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Hardy won the fight by unanimous decision and booked his place as the number 1 contender for Georges St-Pierre’s Welterweight title. In being awarded the title shot, Hardy became the first British fighter in UFC history to receive one. UFC President Dana White confirmed at the post-fight press conference that the fight will most likely be held in Las Vegas. Dan stated in a post-fight interview with Sherdog.com that the next event in Las Vegas (UFC 109) in February was a little too early for him and he would much rather wait. Hardy is currently ranked the number 4 welterweight in the world by Sherdog.com. Hardy will fight Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on March 27, 2010 at UFC 111 which will take place in Newark, NJ.

They forgot to metion, Dan is also coached by 10th Planet Burbank’s, Alder Hampel 😉


Gono vs. Dan Hardy

October 22nd, 2008 In MMA | 3 Comments

LINK TO FIGHT!!!


Congrats To Dan Hardy After His Win Over Gono!

October 18th, 2008 In MMA, News | 2 Comments

This win should put Hardy that much closer to stardom. He’s on a Meteoric rise to the top. Thanks to Sherdog for the scorecard.

Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hardy
Round 1
Hardy starts fast in the first stanza with straight punches. The left hook is Hardy’s weapon of choice early, as it grazes often. Gono mainly retreats and counters back with one punch at a time. Gono has enough of the trading and goes to the clinch. Gono connects with a right hand that snaps Hardy’s head backwards. The fighters trade kicks to the body before the round closes. 10-9 for Hardy.

Round 2
Again Hardy puts his head down and comes out swinging. Gono, who’s now the proud owner of some heavy swelling on his face, briefly gets a takedown. Now back on their feet, Gono connects with a stiff kick to the body. Hardy seems to get mad as his punches are coming with more force than before. Gono clinches again and is hit with a hard right hook as the round ends. 10-9 for Hardy.

Round 3
The third period starts conservatively, but unfolds much differently as the round plays out. Gono, swollen and bloody, sees a kick make contact with his cup. He is is given time to recover. Gono clinches and pushes Hardy to the canvas, where he lands an illegal knee to the face of the downed fighter. Time is called but action resumes as both fighters are showing the signs of a battle. Hardy absorbs a hard punch to the chin that buckles his frame. A flying knee from Gono misses its mark and he slips to the mat. Time runs out and Hardy takes the round. The official judges see the bout 29-28 (twice) for Hardy, and 29-28 for Gono. Hardy takes the split decision after an entertaining fight.


10th Planet’s Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy Article on Sherdog:

October 13th, 2008 In News | 4 Comments

Monday, October 13, 2008
by Paul Concannon (uk_mma2007@yahoo.co.uk)

Dan Hardy never shirks a challenge.

Based out of Team Rough House, “The Outlaw” will face arguably his stiffest test to date when he makes his UFC debut against colorful Japanese veteran Akihiro Gono at UFC 89 this Saturday at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England.

Hardy (19-6), who earlier this year signed a four-fight deal with the UFC, may be a new face to many mixed martial arts fans, but his talents are well respected at home and abroad.

“I’m the kind of fighter that likes to break people down, mixing in fast kicking and fast punching,” he says. “I’m always looking at finishing a fight. I’ll pick people apart and smile at them in the process. When I fight, you know it’s going to be exciting.”

Hardy, a professional since 2004, cut his teeth in the British fight promotion Cage Warriors, where he became a champion at two weights. A black belt in tae kwon do, he holds a victory over Hidetaka Monma and has tested himself against UFC veterans Forrest Petz, Chad Reiner and Yoshiyuki Yoshida.

Training alongside respected fighters like Paul Daley, Andre Winner and Jim Wallhead at the Team Rough House gym has benefited the native of Nottingham, England.

Link to rest of article


Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy Fighting at UFC 89!

August 8th, 2008 In News | 4 Comments


“Akihiro Gono will return to action against Octagon newcomer, Dan Hardy, in a welterweight tilt set for UFC 89: “Leben vs. Bisping” at The National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, England, on October 18, according to CageWarriors.com.

Gono was set to take on Jon Fitch at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” back in March; however, the Japanese showman has to withdraw from the bout because of a hand injury that required surgery to repair. In fact, Ghono has a history of hand injuries and needed time for it to mend otherwise it could have threatened his future fighting career.

He has one win in one attempt inside the Octagon — a beautiful submission (armbar) of Tamdan McCrory back at UFC 78: “Validation” in November 2007.

Hardy — who is the reigning Cage Warriors welterweight champion — has won eight of his last nine bouts and the lone loss during that span was because of a disqualification. “The Outlaw” is considered to be the top British welterweight prospect. He is a Taekwondo black belt and “kickboxing expert” who has been competing in professional MMA since 2004.

Here’s a snip from Hardy:

“I’m excited to be fighting such a tough, well-respected fighter for my debut as Gono. It shows that the UFC know I am capable of dealing with the top tier guys and I am very grateful for the opportunity to go in at this kind of level. Gono has been in there with some of the best fighters in the world and always put on a good show, he comes to fight and has very good counter-strikes and some interesting submissions. He is a perfect opponent for me to prove my place in the UFC welterweight division and give the fans a great show. Fighting so close to home will be good because all of the people that have supported me through my career will be able to be there for my debut in the UFC.”

This is solid fight that pits a crafty veteran against a promising young star. It should be a good one.

The UFC 89 card is beginning to take shape with several intriguing bouts that include Michael Bisping, Chris Leben, Diego Sanchez, Thiago Alves and others.”
Source: MMA Mania

For More info on Dan Hardy visit his website