Former All-Pro defensive end Greg Hardy, known for his transition into combat sports following his controversial football career, was recently knocked out again in the ring.
Hardy’s latest defeat came against Patrick Mailata in the world-famous Texas Combat League.
Hardy has bounced around in different combat organizations.
He’s competed in MMA (including the UFC) as well as bare-knuckle boxing.
When it comes to traditional boxing, he actually had an undefeated 3-0 record entering his match against the 6-2 Mailata.
The match turned grim for Hardy as Mailata seized an opportunity during an exchange, delivering a left hand followed by a right hook and a swift left that landed squarely on Hardy’s chin.
The force of the blow sent Hardy reeling, causing his knees to buckle before he collapsed onto the canvas, nearly tumbling out of the ring.
The defeat marks Hardy’s fourth knockout loss, following his previous endeavors in mixed martial arts and bare-knuckle fighting.
Before stepping into the boxing ring, Hardy accrued a record of 7-5-1 in MMA, including notable matchups in the UFC against heavyweights such as Alexander Volkov and Tai Tuivasa.
Of course, Hardy is most well-known for his legal troubles while playing in the NFL.
He was arrested for a 2014 incident where he allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend.
Despite legal proceedings and a suspension from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Hardy continued his career before transitioning to combat sports.
For a short period of time, Hardy was actually considered one of the most promising defensive players in all of football.
A former sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Hardy played for the Carolina Panthers (2010-2014) and the Dallas Cowboys (2015).
He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2013 and finished his NFL career with 238 tackles, 40 sacks and 8 forced fumbles.
Anybody who has the courage to step in the ring – no matter what the level – deserves respect.
However, the vast majority of football fans are finding it quite hard to dish out too much respect for Hardy due to his troubled past and his well-documented lack-of-forgiveness for it.
What are your thoughts on Hardy and his latest knockout defeat???