Tag: Dan Hardy

Dan Hardy sees Denis Goltsov, Renan Ferreira as ‘interesting problems’ for Francis Ngannou

Dan Hardy expects the winner of Denis Goltsov vs. Renan Ferreira to be Francis Ngannou’s PFL debut opponent.

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] expects the winner of [autotag]Denis Goltsov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] to be [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]’s PFL debut opponent.

Goltsov (32-7) takes on Ferreira (11-3) in Friday’s heavyweight final at 2023 PFL Championship, which takes place at The Anthem in Washington D.C. The main card airs on pay-per-view (ESPN+) following prelims on ESPN+.

Hardy thinks both Goltsov and Ferreira have the ability to trouble former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou, and sees them as worthy opponents.

“They would be a clear option for us, and I think both of them are interesting problems for Ngannou – especially with Goltsov and his experience,” Hardy told MMA Junkie Radio. “He’s got great footwork, he’s got great boxing skills (and) probably the best jab in mixed martial arts – certainly the heavyweight divisions. I think he’s very problematic, especially given the fact that he’s got the ground game to match if he chooses to use it.

“And then Ferreira, his nickname (‘Problema’), kind of says it all. He’s problematic on a multitude of levels. Now he’s working at ATT, you know his ground game, his grappling skills are on the rise. That’s going to give him confidence in his striking. Just the size and the reach of the individual, his ability to cover distance, and cover distance with accurate strikes. Whether it’s kicks or punches. They’re both very, very dangerous individuals.”

According to BetMGM, Ferreira is a +200 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on The Brazilian would net a $200 profit. Goltsov is a -250 favorite, meaning a $250 bet would be needed on the sambo champion to return $100 profit. But Hardy thinks the fight is closer than the odds suggest.

“We could run this heavyweight fight back a few times and we could get very different results each time,” Hardy said. “I think both of them are good contenders for Ngannou in the future, but certainly the one that wins is most likely going to be the frontrunner.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL Championship.

Dan Hardy expects improved Alex Pereira with light heavyweight move: ‘I only really see benefits’

Dan Hardy thinks Alex Pereira made the right choice to move to light heavyweight.

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] is taking his talent up a division, and this has left many wondering whether it will ultimately pay off for his fighting career.

Pereira (7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) lost his UFC middleweight title this past April in a rematch against Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami. Yet despite being 1-1 against Adesanya, the Brazilian chose to move up to light heavyweight rather than seek a trilogy bout at 185 pounds.

Some have questioned this decision, and are eager to see how Pereira fares this Saturday against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City. Time will tell, but [autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] is confident the move to 205 pounds will be for the better in Pereira’s career.

“I think there’s a variety of benefits for him moving up a weight class,” Hardy told Submission Radio. “First of all, he’s not boiling himself down to 185. If you stand next to the guy, I don’t know how he steps on the scale at 185 pounds, just his skeleton looks too big, to be honest. He’s massive. It’s crazy. You don’t realize the size of the guy until you see him in person.”

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Some may see Pereira’s light heavyweight move as giving up a size and power advantage since he’ll be facing much larger competition. However, Hardy doesn’t see it that way.

“I feel like moving up to this weight class is going to allow him to grow into his body a little bit more, something he’s been working against for a number of years to keep his weight down,” Hardy explained. “I feel like there’s a sigh of relief that the body goes through, and all of a sudden you’ve got five pounds of muscle on you that you’ve been waiting to grow for a couple of years.

“I feel like he’s going to look thicker and stronger. His neck is going to be thicker, which is going to make him more difficult to knock out. I think his back is going to be thicker. I think he’s going to be stronger with his takedown defense. I only really see benefits because he’s not going to be undersized, and if he’s going to be out-skilled by someone, that could happen at middleweight just as much as light heavyweight. I think we’re going to see a healthier version of him.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.

UFC London preview with Dan Hardy, Farah Hannoun: Tom Aspinall’s key to beating Marcin Tybura

Dan Hardy sees a quick finish as Tom Aspinall’s best route to success vs. Marcin Tybura.

LONDON – [autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] sees a quick finish as [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]’s best route to success vs. [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag].

Aspinall (12-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) returns from a knee injury to take on Tybura (24-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 224 headliner at The O2 in London. The event streams on ESPN+.

Aspinall never has gone past Round 2 and has finished all but one of his UFC wins in the first round. With Tybura’s experience going the distance, Hardy thinks Aspinall will likely have to stop him early.

“As long as this fight goes, the more chance Marcin Tybura has to get into it,” Hardy said. “For me, Tom Aspinall has got to get him out of there first (round), (or) early second round. Otherwise, it’s going to be two big bears wrestling, and that’s where Tybura’s size and experience come into play.”

Hardy is high on Aspinall, and thinks the Brit will be wearing UFC gold in the future.

“If he stops Tybura in the first round, early second round, he can be calling out for anybody in the top five,” Hardy said. “It’s wide open for Tom. The only thing that’s going to work against him is the lack of activity. We’re going to want to see him probably fight two more times before he gets a big opportunity.

“Tom, he’s a young man. He’s determined in his potential, and I think as long as he’s healthy, he’s going to be able to get all the way to the top of this heavyweight division. I think he’s going to win the heavyweight title one day. It wouldn’t surprise me, absolutely, whatsoever because he’s just got everything he needs, and I think we’re going to see a glimpse of that (Saturday) night.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

Dan Hardy: Tresean Gore matchup designed for ‘Bo Nickal to pick up another win’

Dan Hardy sees Tresean Gore as a tailor-made matchup for Bo Nickal.

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] sees [autotag]Tresean Gore[/autotag] as a tailor-made matchup for [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag].

Nickal (4-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meets Gore (4-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 290 pay-per-view main card opener at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Standout wrestler Nickal is one of the most highly touted prospects in the sport, but Hardy thinks the UFC has been giving him favorable matchups.

“I kind of feel like this one’s been matched for Bo Nickal to pick up another win,” Hardy said on his YouTube channel. “I mean, 4-0 against 4-2. I’m very excited for Bo Nickal, but it’s like, sometimes I feel like fighters join the UFC a little bit too soon, and then you can kind of tell that they’re curating their career too much, if that makes sense.”

Nickal has finished all four of his professional fights in less than a round, and Hardy expects another quick finish for the three-time NCAA Division-I national wrestling champion.

“I’m kind of expecting Bo Nickal to make the most of the pressure that Tresean Gore’s going to probably put him under,” Hardy said. “It makes no sense for Tresean Gore to back up and give him any space because then he’s going to get pushed around and Bo Nickal is going to set up his level change.

“Ultimately, I just think this fight’s going to be on the floor within a minute, and Bo Nickal is probably going to be able to beat him up from top position to soften him up and then attack some kind of neck attack, anaconda, arm triangle, rear-naked choke, et cetera, et cetera.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 290.

Dan Hardy: Alexander Volkanovski’s movement, power would shut down Aljamain Sterling

What do you think would happen in a fight between UFC champions Aljamain Sterling and Alexander Volkanovski at 145 pounds?

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] wouldn’t like [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s chances against [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag].

UFC bantamweight champion Sterling (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) mapped out a plan in which he eventually moves up to featherweight to challenge champ Volkanovski, but Hardy thinks Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) would present too many problems for “The Funkmaster.”

“I think he (Sterling) struggles against Volkanovski,” Hardy told Submission Radio. “I think Volkanovski’s movement and power would be able to shut him down. You know, the deficits that Henry Cejudo might struggle with against Sterling I don’t think Volkanovski would struggle with. I’m sure he’s gonna give up height, but what is it?

“Maybe three inches in height, but I don’t think he’s gonna give up any reach. I think there’s most likely going to be a – if not even, you know, maybe an inch advantage for Volkanovski, he’s got quite long arms if I remember right. But I don’t know, I just feel like Volkanovski, he’s kind of found that groove in his career where he knows what he does. He knows what he does well.”

But first Sterling has to get past former dual champ Henry Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 288 headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

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When making his prediction, Hardy said he gives the edge to Cejudo, who will be returning from a three-year layoff.

“I’m leaning towards Cejudo,” Hardy said. “I’m an optimist, and I think he’s gonna come back with a much better fight IQ and a much more accurate focus with his game plan. What he needs to do to be victorious against Aljamain Sterling, I think he’s very calculated, and that’s gonna pay off in a fight against someone that – he’s just wildly chaotic and can make a lot of bad decisions, put his head in a lot of bad positions against someone who’s got good knees.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.

Dan Hardy: Alex Pereira probably will finish Israel Adesanya again at UFC 287 – maybe even quicker

Dan Hardy sees Alex Pereira getting the best of Israel Adesanya again when they rematch for the middleweight title at UFC 287 in Miami.

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] sees [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] getting the best of [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] again.

Middleweight champion Pereira (7-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) rematches Adesanya (23-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 287 main event at Kaseya Center in Miami. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Pereira will look to notch his fourth win over Adesanya. “Poatan” defeated Adesanya twice in kickboxing, then dethroned him by Round 5 knockout at UFC 281 to capture the middleweight title. Hardy thinks it’s a 50-50 matchup, but sees two attributes in Pereira’s favor, which makes him think the outcome will remain the same.

“I’m kind of leaning toward Pereira,” Hardy told Submission Radio. “I feel like when fighters are so evenly matched – and they are; technically these guys are quite evenly matched – there are differences in the way they approach it. Adesanya’s a slicker striker. If I wanted to learn striking off one of the two of them, it would be Adesanya because I feel like he’s got a much better understanding of the striking game overall, because he’s probably had to work harder for it, because he’s not as powerful. He’s got double the experience in kickboxing, as well as much more MMA experience.

“Sometimes I just feel like size and strength makes the difference. And because Pereira’s now kind of got Adesanya’s number in kickboxing and MMA, I feel like he’s probably going to find him again – might be a little bit earlier this time. There are two ways it goes, and it depends on Adesanya’s durability, I think. He’s either going to get stopped earlier than he did last time – late second, early third – or we’re going to see him get knocked down a few times and lose rounds quite big and then lose a decision and Pereira remains champion.”

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Although Pereira finished Adesanya in their first MMA fight, he had to come from behind after being down 3-1 on the judges’ scorecards. But Pereira vows to leave no doubt this time and doesn’t plan on seeing “The Stylebender” again.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.

UFC 286: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 preview show with Dan Hardy

Before the fights get underway, join MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun and Dan Hardy for a preview of UFC 286.

LONDON – UFC 286 takes place Saturday and is headlined by a championship trilogy bout.

But before the fights get underway, MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun caught up with former UFC welterweight title challenger and analyst [autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] to preview the card.

In the main event, welterweight champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) defends his title against [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in a rubber match. And in the co-headliner, elite lightweight strikers [autotag]Rafael Fizev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and former interim champion [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) throw down.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

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The UFC 286 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman
  • Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Gunnar Nelson
  • Jennifer Maia vs. Casey O’Neill
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Marvin Vettori

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPNews/ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)

  • Makwan Amirkhani vs. Jack Shore
  • Chris Duncan vs. Omar Morales
  • Yanal Ashmoz vs. Sam Patterson
  • Jafel Filho vs. Muhammad Mokaev

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1 p.m. ET)

  • Lerone Murphy vs. Gabriel Santos
  • Christian Duncan vs. Dusko Todorovic
  • Malcolm Gordon vs. Jake Hadley
  • Luana Carolina vs. Joanne Wood
  • Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein
  • Veronica Hardy vs. Juliana Miller

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

Dan Hardy explains why return to fighting is always possible, although not a priority

Former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy says he will always be ready to fight for the right opportunity, but other things have his attention.

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag]’s return to combat sports will have to wait.

The former UFC title challenger, who’s been teasing a return to fighting for many years now, recently told MMA Junkie that competing is no longer a priority of his and will be taking a back seat for the time being. The 40-year-old has several important things to handle at the moment, and fighting isn’t one of them.

“There’s nothing on the radar,” Hardy told MMA Junkie. “The Diego fight was disappointing because it was made and canceled, and then re-made and canceled, and then the third time, we were like two weeks out from the fight, and it was pulled again – so I’ve kind of partly taken the hint.

“I pulled back a little on my own training because Veronica (Macedo) is preparing for UFC London and that is the main focus for us now. I’m just excited to try and help build the PFL across the world and in Europe. That’s my main priority right now.

“I’ll always be ready to fight. That’s just me and my instincts and if the opportunity presents itself then yes, of course, I’ll consider it, but at the moment I got plenty of other things going on, and taking more of a coaching role as well.”

Hardy’s wife, Veronica Macedo, is making a return to MMA on March 18 at UFC 286 against Juliana Miller. Hardy is helping her prepare for the fight.

On top of that, Hardy has taken an analyst and ambassador role at PFL and has been working heavily with them, especially as they’ve looked to expand in Europe.

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Hardy hasn’t fought in over a decade. He was last seen in competition back in 2012 when he defeated Amir Sadollah in a decision UFC on Fuel TV 5. “The Outlaw” came close to making a return to fighting, as there were rumors of him boxing Diego Sanchez. However, the fight never materialized.

Now, Sanchez is scheduled to make his bareknuckle boxing debut on Feb. 17 against ex-boxing champ Austin Trout at BKFC KnuckleMania 3. Hardy thinks Sanchez is in for a rough night, but will be rooting for him.

“It would’ve been far safer to fight me in boxing, for sure,” Hardy said. “We were offered a bareknuckle fight as well, but we decided to go down the boxing route first.

“The difference is that Diego and I are MMA fighters and we both got an untidiness to our game that would make it fun, and we can both take a punch and don’t mind throwing a few. The difference is that Austin Trouts is a technician. The height of technical technicians.

“Diego has a lot of damage and scar tissue and I think we have to hope for his toughness and durability and potentially break his opponent’s hands and Diego can overwhelm him, but it’s a very risky fight. I feel like the technical deficit and scar tissue is going to work against him. I wish him the best. I do love Diego. He’s a lovely individual and a hard worker.”

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Dan Hardy sees ‘wild man’ Mike Perry as good opponent for Jake Paul’s MMA debut

Dan Hardy suggests that Jake Paul make his MMA debut against a notable name that will stand with him.

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] suggests [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] makes his MMA debut against a notable name that will stand with him.

Paul signed a multifight contract with PFL and is expected to compete in a new Super Fight division with events on pay-per-view. Paul, who boxes Tommy Fury on Feb. 26 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dubbed [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] as the replacement fighter if Fury doesn’t make it to the bout. But Hardy also likes Perry as Paul’s debut opponent in MMA.

“I think ultimately it’s the big-name fights,” Hardy told MMA Junkie of Paul. “I think there are fighters out there that are big enough names and they’re risky enough to make it an interesting fight, but of course they’re past their prime, they’re past their best. Having Jake Paul fight against the early pros, I don’t think there’s a great deal to be gained from that unless Jake Paul’s intention is to show people how difficult mixed martial arts is.”

He continued, “A [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] would be a fun one. Someone like that. Someone who’s a bit of a wild man, a bit of a banger that’s gonna play into the skillset that Jake Paul’s already been developing whilst he works on his grappling skills.”

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Paul also has been appointed as “head of fighter advocacy,” in which he’ll post about the PFL on social media. Although Paul will compete, Hardy believes he does a lot more on the promotional side.

“What Jake Paul does bring is a lot of eyes, a lot of attention and, you know, a very clever marketing mind,” Hardy said. “I can see him being an important broker for some very big pay-per-view fights for the PFL. And I think that ultimately is where his value comes in.

“People know that he can act like a middleman. He’s gonna have the fighters’ best interests at heart, because that’s what he’s been about kind of since he got into combat sports. I think he sees these big opportunities. He’s clever at marketing, and I think the PFL could use him very well to broker some big fights.”

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Dan Hardy isn’t sure Jon Jones can succeed as heavyweight without ‘natural advantages’ at 205

Former UFC champ Jon Jones is the light heavyweight GOAT, but Dan Hardy points out how heavyweight will present new challenges.

[autotag]Dan Hardy[/autotag] isn’t sure how well [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] will transition to heavyweight.

Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) will finally make his heavyweight debut when he meets Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) for the vacant title in the UFC 285 headliner March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The former light heavyweight champion has bulked up significantly since he last competed in February 2020, but Hardy questions if all the physical gifts he possessed at 205 pounds will serve him well.

“We don’t know how he’s going to perform with the bigger frame,” Hardy told MMA Junkie. “Of course he’s got the height and reach for heavyweight – (6-foot-4), 84.5 inches (reach). He could quite easily grow into heavyweight, but then would he be the same fighter he was at light heavyweight? The times that he struggled at light heavyweight is when he was taking on someone that had similar physical attributes.

“Remember the first (Alexander) Gustafsson fight, that was very problematic for him to begin with. Dominick Reyes was a pain for him at times, and I feel like Jon gives up a lot of his natural advantages that he had at light heavyweight when he moves to heavyweight.”

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Jones’ heavyweight debut will come against arguably the most agile fighter in the division in Gane. “Bon Gamin’s” movement has troubled all of his opposition so far, and Hardy expects him to be a stern test for Jones.

“Like Ciryl Gane’s 6-4, 79-inch reach or something like that, but it’s gonna be comparable to Jon Jones in ways that say a Daniel Cormier wasn’t back at light heavyweight,” Hardy said. “And the way Ciryl Gane moves is like light heavyweights did when Jon Jones was champion – the better ones. I think this is going to be a real challenge for him, and it’s difficult to kind of picture Jon Jones in a heavyweight frame. What does he move like? What techniques has he abandoned? Is he going to have anxiety associated with because now he feels like he fills up with lactate and his muscles start to burn?”

He continued, “We know how good Ciryl Gane is, and the reason why he’s so good is because he does a lot of things Jon Jones did so well at light heavyweight. I almost think it would have been easier for Jones to take on Ngannou, because at least you know what you’re getting. When he starts to move, you got to get out of the way. But Ciryl Gane never stops moving, so you can’t always stay out of the way, and we’ve seen Jon Jones kind of get outpointed a little bit at times by people that have got a good work rate and a long reach.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.

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