Dan Hardy appeared on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani today to discuss his future inside the octagon and responded to Mickey Gall’s 155-pound challenge that was issued in-cage at UFC on Fox 22: Sacramento.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” said Hardy, the 34-year-old veteran.”I don’t want to play a part in the building of his career in any way.”
Dan did say that there were some fights that would interest him, but added that he and Gall were at different phases.
Hardy hasn’t competed in the UFC since 2012, when he claimed back-to-back wins over Duane Ludwig and Amir Sadollah at welterweight.
The British knockout artist previously retired in 2013 when he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The heart condition affects roughly .3 percent of the population and Hardy would need to receive medical clearance before making his UFC return. These tests are already scheduled for January and according to Hardy the cardiovascular specialists in London will give him their unbiased opinion.
“Maybe this will take the option away from me,” said Hardy.
Hardy once competed for the UFC Welterweight Championship, having headlined UFC 111 against Georges St-Pierre in back in 2010. Hardy lost a 5-round decision to the much larger GSP.
“If I was to come back, ’55 would not only be a better weight for my size, but better for my performance as well,” Hardy told Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting back in September. Today he also discussed the possibility of a 162.5 weight class, saying he would love to fight at “Outlaw Weight”
Mickey Gall is now 4-0 in his professional career, having most recently choked out “Super” Sage Northcutt in a welterweight bout at UFC on FOX 22: VanZant vs. Waterson. Gall will now also look to drop down to 155 pounds, where he feels like he can compete for the championship.
“I’d like to welcome back Dan Hardy,” said Gall in his post-fight interview on Saturday. “He says he wants to come back for a marquee fight, and I think I’m a marquee fight right now.”
Hardy doesn’t agree, and added that there were 100+ other fighters that made more sense for the young star.
On the MMA Hour, 24-year-old Gall revealed that calling out Dan Hardy was a last-minute choice. He added that he would be happy to fight the legend,even at catch-weight. At this point last year, fighting wasn’t even Gall’s full-time job.
Was he old enough to watch the @UFC when I was still fighting? 😂
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) December 18, 2016
Hardy’s only losses inside the octagon have come against GSP, Carlos Condit, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, and Chris Lytle.
On Twitter Hardy revealed today that his book, “Reptile: UFC, MMA, and Me”, will be out this March. He currently holds an analyst and commentator roles with the UFC.
It's official! My first book will be out on March 23rd! - Part Reptile: UFC, MMA and Me.https://t.co/PXsjJxoibR #Amazon
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) December 18, 2016
