Former NFL pro bowler Greg Hardy is scheduled to face Yorgan de Castro at UFC 249 on May 9th. Yet again, Hardy will be featured on the main card.
Each time Hardy has stepped in the UFC’s octagon he has fought on the main card; including three co-main events. Many fans are left wondering why Dana White is so intent on promoting the controversial athlete.
By now most sports fans are aware of the domestic violence and drug charges that ultimately got Hardy kicked out of the NFL back in 2016. It was just months after his football career ended that he decided to begin his mixed martial arts career.
Immediately after displaying his athleticism and power on Dana White’s Contender Series, the vigorous promotion of Hardy began.
There are three main reasons for Hardy’s continued mainstay on the promotion’s main cards.
- Raw Talent- Hardy is listed at 6’5” and normally weighs in at the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds. Add in an 80 inch reach and elite athleticism and you have a scary competitor.
- Controversial- Not only is Greg Hardy controversial because of his past; he also seems to have a controversial fight each and every time. From illegal knees to using an inhaler between rounds, whenever Hardy’s in the octagon there’s always a dispute.
- Wants and is Willing to be Very Active- Dana White has said for years that he likes his fighters to be active; especially his young ones. Just yesterday, Hardy announced his wish to “live on fight island and fight six times a year”.
Of course all of the reasons listed above circle back to one thing and one thing only; money.
It remains to be seen whether or not Greg Hardy has what it takes to fight the best of the best in the heavyweight division. He has shown immense power as well as many flaws, which are expected from someone so new to the game.
One thing we can count is the UFC doing everything it can to make Greg Hardy a money-making star.
