Greg Hardy not willing to throw in the towel on UFC dream

Former Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy isn’t going to give up his UFC dream despite getting knocked out.

It doesn’t appear as if Greg Hardy is ready to throw in the towel on his Mixed Martial Arts career just yet. The former Carolina Panthers defensive end suffered a hugely disappointing knockout loss against Tai Tuivasa at UFC 264, which put a severe dent in his hopes of becoming a title contender sooner rather than later.

Hardy was reckless after appearing to hurt Tuivasa in Round 1. Just when it looked as if he was going in for the kill, the man who came out to ‘Wannabe’ by the Spice Girls reacted with a beautiful counter that sent the ex-edge rusher to the canvas and forced the referee to intervene.

Not exactly what Hardy or perhaps anybody else watching expecting coming into the contest. Further proof that it takes just a split second to change a fight.

Considering how Hardy is perceived among Carolina’s loyal fanbase and with every NFL fan, there was a joyous reaction to his demise on social media. Being a perpetrator of domestic abuse usually comes with these sorts of implications.

Greg Hardy vows to bounce back after his latest UFC loss.

However, judging by Hardy’s post on Instagram following his fourth UFC loss, the setback hasn’t detracted him from continuing on with his career.

"Talk n s**t all 2021. It’s me, I have to stop making rookie mistakes. There is not F N excuse for that Ish but my real ones know you can’t kill the kraken and you for damn sure can’t kill the prince. So bring it. I’ll be back. Thank you to the @ufc and good s**t by @bambamtuivasa all respect and great win."

Although Hardy might feel like he can still reach the truly elite level, there isn’t much evidence to suggest this is possible. The former sixth-round pick is now 4-4 in the Octagon and considering he’s now 32-years-old, any turnaround will have to be pretty drastic.

This is the latest fall from grace where Hardy is concerned. He went from one of the league’s most prolific pass-rushers over a two-year spell in Carolina to being almost outlawed from the league following horrific incidents – the last of which came as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

When Jerry Jones gives up on you. There is no way back.

The fight game is a tough business. Especially when you have little in the way of experience.

Hardy is finding that out to his cost despite the obvious physical strengths at his disposal. He hears all the chatter and those doubting him – sentiments that will only grow following his latest loss.

It’s going to be a long road back for Hardy after this, there’s no getting away from that. But there won’t be many fans of the Panthers pulling for him to make a success of his current career path.