Carolina Panthers: Former star Greg Hardy secures win at UFC 249

Former Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy got another boost in his pursuit of UFC glory with a welcome win on Saturday night.

Controversial former Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy is not what one would call a popular individual. This made a sound of silence during his latest UFC outing as just what the doctor ordered.

In the first sporting event for some time across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hardy came up against undefeated Yorgan De Castro at UFC 249. The former pass-rusher dug deep in the face of some stern pressure to secure victory by unanimous decision to take his overall mixed martial arts record to 6-2.

Hardy attributed his triumph to the words of former light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at ringside. With no crowd heckling the fighter, he was able to hear some words of advice from one of the best in business.

Speaking to Joe Rogan inside the octagon following the fight, Hardy had this to say.

"“Thank God for not having the crowd. Shout out to D.C (Daniel Cormier). I heard him tell me to check him, so I started trying to check him. Game changer.”"

Hardy is currently on the road to redemption following an incident with his former girlfriend that accused him of throwing her against a bathroom wall and onto a bed covered with assault rifles. The allegations also saw the former Panther accused of threatening the life of the woman in question.

This incident came when he was part of the Panthers. But did not come to light until he was part of the Dallas Cowboys franchise. He was ultimately released in 2018 shortly after Hardy was arrested for cocaine possession in Texas.

Hardy recorded 34 sacks in a little over four seasons with the Panthers. It seems unlikely that he will be making a return to the NFL with so many indiscretions off the field. So the UFC route seems to be an avenue the former sixth-round pick seems willing to go down in a bid to build up his tarnished reputation.

Whether Hardy can make a success of things in such a brutal environment is another matter. He continues to make strides and build confidence. But what impact a possible returning crowd might have in the coming months will play a significant factor in any success that comes his way.