Dan Hardy hasn't won a fight since 2009. (Scott McKinley/MMADieHards.com)
Dan Hardy’s move across the pond has “The Outlaw” anticipating another climb to the peak.
A loser of three straight fights, Hardy (Twitter: @DanHardyMMA) is anxiously awaiting his return to the Octagon on Sunday at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The British banger promises to be more well-rounded that night when he meets American Chris Lytle in the main event of UFC on Versus 5.
As most British mixed martial artists, Hardy does not excel in wrestling. He made the proper adjustments to improve in that department, most notably a move from his home in England to Las Vegas.
Out of all the people Hardy could have chosen to train with in Sin City, he opted Big Country.
“I’ve been working with Roy Nelson every day,” Hardy told Joe Rizzo and Jeremy Fullerton on Rear Naked Choke Radio on the MMA DieHards Radio Network. “He’s been putting a lot of time into me, but there’s another great bunch of guys that have been looking after me and helping me out whenever they can. I’m picking up some good stuff and learning some valuable lessons. I think people are going to see it in this fight. Since my last fight and now, it’s like two different worlds. I’m completely different.”
While grappling with Nelson, a notoriously rotund heavyweight, might not appear to be a terrific idea for Hardy, the two have developed something more than a sparring partner relationship. The student-teacher role gets passed back and forth. Along with Big Country comes a slew of other experienced fighters that lend a hand in preparing Hardy for Lytle.
On the flip side, Hardy is a great partner to mimic Nelson’s upcoming opponent.
“It’s a bit of both,” Hardy explained. “I’m learning a lot as a student from him, and I’m working with the guys that train with him. He’s got four or five guys that are close to my weight class, so a lot of the time he’s coaching and I’m working with the other guys. We have been sparring together, and I’ve been rolling with him. Obviously he has a strength and size advantage, but when it comes to
Hardy's back is against the mat, and the wall (Scott McKinley/MMADieHards.com)
speed and striking I can usually beat him to the punch and be out of the way before he hits me.
“I think we learn from each other and especially with his next fight against (Mirko) Cro Cop, the fact that I can fight southpaw and I’m also left-footed will be an advantage for him.”
Hardy is recognized as one of the larger competitors in the 170-pound division, but he feels that may have played against him in the past.
The former title contender was under the impression that power and size would lead to victories for the better part of his career, but as of late he believes lean muscle and speed could prove to make the difference.
“I’ve been up around 218 (pounds) before a fight,” Hardy admitted. “I did get into the habit of getting big in between fights and doing a lot of strength training. I did grow a little bit and maybe I was a little bigger than I needed to be. The advantage I was hoping to have in the last fight was being the same size as Anthony Johnson, but when I got in there he was still bigger than me, and when I look back on it I think what if I was a little lighter on my feet, a bit quicker, maybe I would have had more success in there.
“For this fight I made a conscious decision to bring my weight down earlier, and I feel way better. The volume of punches I’m throwing has gone up, I feel a lot faster and a lot healthier.”
Fortunately for Hardy he is a favorite of fans and his boss, UFC president Dana White. Unfortunately for Hardy four losses in a row is a nearly inevitable pink slip.
It bothers him greatly, but instead of letting it interfere with his mental stability, Hardy positively spins it. He does not find excuses from his losses, but rather learns from his mistakes.
“It’s on my mind every day,” Hardy confessed of the losing streak. “I’m trying to use it as a training tool and a motivational tool, and really trying to get the best out of myself for this fight. I am disappointed at how the last three fights went, and obviously that’s not how I planned on it going. The (Georges St-Pierre) fight was a great experience and there are a lot of things I can take from the fight to benefit from. The last two fights were my fault. I was overconfident and a little arrogant. I was just marching forward throwing left hooks and I paid for it. In the Johnson fight, he is a big, strong wrestler with a good game plan.
“It’s a difficult place to be in, but as every fighter in the UFC, we love to be in the UFC. I would to be in the UFC for a long time and go out on my own terms. I just have to go in there and give it all that I’ve got. I’m confident that this fight is going to be a turning point, and the move to Las Vegas was a turning point as well. I’m already reaping the benefits of that.”
Hardy understands the sport, and its highs and lows. As much as he wants to test his newly found talents in the Octagon, he is yearning to show fans his vast improvements.
“You got to roll with the punches, it’s an up-and-down sport,” Hardy stated. “One minute you’re at the top and the next minute you’re climbing back up the ladder. I’m at the bottom of the ladder at the moment waiting to climb back up.
“I’m anxious to get back in there and fight and show fans that I’ve evolved since my last fight.”
[...] was a turning point as well. I’m already reaping the benefits of that.” – Dan Hardy told MMA DieHards that he made adjustments to remain in the UFC, which he will, despite losing to [...]