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Despite his controversial past Greg Hardy is making the most of his second chance

One of the main storylines of series 2 of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series has been watching the beginning of controversial former NFL player Greg Hardy’s professional MMA career.

Hardy, 28, a former defensive end for the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys was widely considered one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL during his six-year career.

In July 2014, Hardy was convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, but the charges were dropped after the alleged victim refused to testify in his appeal. In 2016 he was arrested in Texas for possession of drugs and was fined and made to do community service.

With his reputation in ruin, Hardy began searching for a new direction in life. His dreams of playing in the NFL once again had faded away; he found a home at American top team and began his MMA career. After putting together a 3-0 amateur record, The UFC announced Hardy was to appear on the season 2 of DWTNCS.

After knocking out Austin Lane in 57 seconds during episode 1, Hardy was not given a UFC contract but instead was invited back to appear in episode 8 of the series to face fellow undefeated heavyweight Teboris Gordon.

Hardy looked like a man possessed coming into the Octagon on Tuesday night. Sporting a mean facial expression with intensity and an anger that would strike fear into many fighters. As the bell rang, all those emotions boiling up inside Hardy erupted like a volcano and he charged across the octagon to engage Gordon.

After 17 seconds of non-stop back and forth brawling, Hardy was victorious, knocking Gordon out. Although his striking techniques still looked very raw and uncontrolled, the power and athleticism Hardy has it his disposal, could make him and an extremely interesting prospect in the heavyweight division, a weight class that desperately needs some new stars.

Speaking to MMA junkie after the fight Hardy seemed pleased with his performance “When I go into beast mode, only one person is coming out the cage, I went into beast mode and that’s what happened”

Both of Hardy’s pro-MMA fights and all three of his amateur fights have been finished first-round knockouts, the longest of which lasted 1:36. Hardy, who is under a developmental contract to the UFC, was not awarded a full UFC contract on this occasion

Speaking to MMA Fighting Dana White had this to say about Hardy “He’s got nothing but time. He has to get some more work in.” Seems like the sky is limit for Hardy, who looks very intent on making the most of his second chance.

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