Top welterweight contender Dan Hardy was on TapouT Radio this past Thursday to discuss his upcoming title bout with champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 111 on March 27th.
Hardy understands that he’s going to be seen as the “bad guy” regardless of what he says because he believes St-Pierre can do no wrong in the public’s eyes.
“He’s a nice guy. He never says anything bad about anybody. He never says anything controversial or very interesting in my opinion,” the confident challenger explained. “I’m not into this ass kissing thing.”
The Team Rough House fighter recently came to New York to finalize his training in anticipation of the biggest scrap of his career. As the ‘UFC Primetime’ preview show revealed, Hardy has enlisted the help of former welterweight champion Matt Serra, the last man to defeat GSP, to assist him in his plight.
Most of Hardy’s highlight reel footage showcases his superior standup skills, but the Brit wants people to understand that he’s also got a solid ground game as well.
“I think like a striker. I fight like a striker, but there’s Jiu-Jitsu there if I need it,” Hardy continued.
In addition to his work with Serra, Hardy has also trained at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu under to tutelage of submission specialist Eddie Bravo on occasion, so expect to see an improved grappling game from slugger.
The overly-confident, borderline cocky, Hardy believes he’s not only going to leave the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey with gold around his waist, but he’s planning on doing it in electrifying fashion.
“I plan on knocking him out and putting him on the canvas,” Hardy predicted.
Don’t forget to check out 5thRound.com’s daily previews of the five main bouts for “UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy” with Franklin McNeil of ESPN.com’s ‘MMA Live.’
We’ll kick off our show this Monday with analysis on the lightweight bout between Mark Bocek and Jim Miller. Please tune in and let us know what you think!
Hardy’s game plan is quite amusing. He says “GSP doesn’t like to get hit”, so he’s going to hit him cleanly and drop him to the mat. He’s watched that UFC 69 one too many time thinking that you can build a whole game plan on what happened 3 years ago. He also says the problem with GSP is that people respect him too much. Essentially Hardy is psyching himself up in thinking he’s going to recreate what Matt Serra did, and that the key to beat him is simply to hit him. Sadly though reality with strike back at him and manhandle him very very badly.
noizy commented on March 21, 2010 @ 6:26 am
we see that hardy is fast with his hands and powerful, no doubt hardy can strike. gsp will not be caught in an armbar or rear naked choke. there is a lot of video of gsp minimizing strikers. i’m sure hardy is training for that – the most telling is the gsp alves fight. but there is also a lot of video on hardy’s counter-punching. no doubt gsp’s team have trained for that. i think this is going to be awesome combat. gsp shows the world again why he is the best at 170.
Mighkell commented on March 21, 2010 @ 7:04 am
Goosebumps…
Dan commented on March 21, 2010 @ 8:59 am
GSP by pure and utter domination.
aka_khan commented on March 21, 2010 @ 12:32 pm
Hardy doesn’t have the experience or the talent to be in the same ring as GSP for a title shot. I think his punching power is greatly overrated. Expect a one-sided fight where Hardy will need help from his corner to get back on his feet after a KO or TKO before the end of the third round. Hardy’s greatest asset is his superior ability to trash talk. Unfortunately, this is of no use once the fight start. Bisping is a good example of that.
Zeff commented on March 21, 2010 @ 1:53 pm
Was Serra this cocky before his win?
Mont commented on March 21, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
all the stupid Brits run their mouths because they can beat shitty fighters, but when they face real talent, they get their asses kicked. Hardy is going to get hurt. Badly. His trash talking is amusing but he can not back up his words against someone of GSP’status.
ya.. commented on March 21, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Listen all you GSP cock suckers, enough of the kiss ass to the champ, regardless of what you people think of Hardy he earned his chance and you guys need to know the underdog always has the best chance, because everyone is going to underestimate Dan Hardy’s ability and when he is walkin away welterweight champ i don’t wanna see anybody switchin their sides, come the 27th you fags will be eatin your words.
T.s.i. commented on March 22, 2010 @ 6:02 am
Exactly what we’re saying: trash talking. That doesn’t make anybody better in the octagon or in his predictions. By the way, where did you get that the underdog always has the best chance!! I recommend you stay away from Vegas.
Hardy has only 4 fights in the UFC. This is too big for him. It may however be a good life experience. Maybe next time he’ll be more humble.
Zeff commented on March 22, 2010 @ 7:43 am
T.s.i.
“The underdog always has the best chance” = the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Hes an underdog precisely becasue he doesn’t have the best chance to win. Trust me nobody is switching sides egardless of the outcome of this fight.
Ya momma commented on March 22, 2010 @ 9:36 am