A Pro Bowl veteran versus a Crochet Boss? That’s the UFC’s plan for October.
Former NFL star and controversial figure Greg Hardy has his next assignment set, in the form of Ultimate Fighter 28 alum Maurice Greene. The pair are expected to face off on October 31, as first reported by MMA Junkie.
Hardy (6-2, 1NC) has had spotty results at best since being rushed into the UFC in 2019 following two Contender Series appearances and a regional show fight (while under a developmental deal). He lost via DQ in his debut thanks to an illegal knee, won a pair of quick TKOs against an out-gunned Dmitry Smolyakov and an emotional Juan Adams, then tried to use an inhaler between rounds in a fight with Ben Sosoli which resulted in an immediate No Contest.
A month later, in a short-notice fight with Alexander Volkov, “Drago” toyed with him for three rounds, end result being Hardy losing a decision. That led to a step back in competition, and a better result against Yorgan De Castro at UFC 249.
After five fights in 2019, however, Hardy appears to have slowed his roll, probably a better idea for his development as a fighter. He’ll be fighting for just the second time this year when he takes on Greene.
Maurice Greene (9-4) is 1-1 in 2020, finding himself submitted by Aleksei Oleinik (not an uncommon occurrence with “The Boa Constrictor”) but picking up his own submission win against Gian Villante in June. Greene is now training out of Jackson-Wink MMA, and would no doubt love to get back on a win streak over a name like Hardy.
The UFC’s October 31 card does not have an official location or designation/name announced.
