Dan Hardy: If Matt Serra can beat Georges St. Pierre, so can I
by Jesse Holland on Dec 15, 2009 1:37 PM EST
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Props: Sherdog.com
Quoteworthy:
"To be honest, that’s not something I am too concerned with, as strange as it sounds. I’ve accepted that, at some point, he’s going to take me down. I’ve accepted that I’m going to be fighting off my back for some of the fight and I’m just going to work to get back to my feet and do what damage I can from my back. I don’t want it to become too much of an issue -- defending the takedown -- because I won’t throw like I do against anybody else. I don’t want to be holding back on any of my kicks and punches because, at the end of the day, that’s what is going to win me the fight. My intention is to go in there, throw hard, just like Matt Serra did, but obviously a little more technical -- I’m a little quicker and more technical. I’ve got reach and weight on Matt Serra, so I can do exactly what he did but a lot better."
Number one welterweight contender Dan Hardy joins a long list of former challengers who also believed they had what it takes to dethrone reigning UFC 170-pound champion Georges St. Pierre. "The Outlaw" is fresh of a unanimous decision victory over fellow surging welterweight Mike Swick at last month's UFC 105: "Couture vs. Vera" event in Manchester. Does Hardy, who only has one finish in four Octagon appearances, have the skill set to beat "Rush?" Or does he simply need a full gas tank and a well-placed bomb? Opinions please.
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Is Hard hard enogh?
Well… beat Serra is not a difficult mission but Saint Pierre is too much for him for sure.
"No one wants to be defeated."
hmm...
Well he does have a puncher’s chance but, I don’t think GSP is the same fighter he was before losing to Matt Sera. Still, if GSP does take Hardy lightly Hardy could deffinetely end up winning a unanimous. My money’s still on GSP though.
At least he's being realistic
He’s going to be on his back whenever GSP decides he wants to take the fight there so Hardy’s best game plan is to go balls out and throw everything he has at GSP and not over concern himself with getting taken down and if he does get take down…he should start throwing some elbows and hope to cut GSP.
Having said that…none of that is going to work…GSP is at the very least a Demi-God.
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."
by Buster Bluth on Dec 15, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
decision?
if he takes hardy lightly he may just get tko’ed. gsp will never lose via decision to a guy like this. i think we ay see a nice submission finish by gsp in this one.
by SweetsugarShaw on Dec 15, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
GSP has playing things annoyingly safe in his last few fights. No KOs or TKOs (other than BJ quitting on his stool), no subs, just good ol’ wrestling. I think if he gets the chance to sit on top of Hardy for 5 rounds he’ll do it, rather than expose Hardy for the overmatched pretender he really is.
Good times and riches and son of a bitches
I've seen more than I can recall.
hmm
He finish Serra… try to finish Fitch (dude is tough)… make BJ quit but injured his hip vs Alves.
if that is annoyingly safe… your not a real mma fan!
Nice response asshat. Think the way I do or you’re (notice the proper usage there) not a real fan. Go get the other half of your peanut butter sandwich out of your Kimbo Slice lunchbox and leave the grown-ups alone.
Good times and riches and son of a bitches
I've seen more than I can recall.
Could have been worse
He could have said to pull out your A-Team lunch box out of the Adidas bag.
by hairybumcrack on Dec 15, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Honest
Its good to see someone speak honestly in an interview instead of the shit ive been reading that Mir has been saying. Least hes realistic about how the fight will go and his chances.
by irishlilpete on Dec 15, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This guy makes me laugh
I know he’s got to believe in himself, and I know there will be a ton more where this came from, but realistically, he’s one of the weakest opponants GSP has faced so far. If GSP ran through a potent striker like Alves, what do you think he’ll do to this guy?!
True, slim.
Hardy really should have had to fight another contender. Beating Swick has gone straight to his head. I really, really like Dan Hardy, but he is out of his league here. Hardy’s best chance to win this fight is on the feet, and he doesn’t even have an advantage there. GSP is twice as fast and hits just as hard as Hardy.
I hope GSP keeps this fight on the feet and dominates.
Top 5 P4P D-bag on Mania.
agreed
I also wanna see gsp keep it standing picking hardy apart, maybe add a ko/tko to his record.
But I see more a submission early.
by Phenomenal Angel on Dec 15, 2009 2:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Still more of a contender than Serra IMO
At least he is honest – and yes GSP is too smart, skillful, and strong for Hardy. GSP by sub in rd 2.
by hairybumcrack on Dec 15, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t come up with a better opponent for GSP, but would probably enjoy seeing the new Kos give it a try above this guy, or at least Hardy fight Kos before GSP. I’m not all about the rematches, but it’s been quite awhile since GSP and Kos fought, whereas I believe Kos is a different fighter now. Same can be said for GSP as well. He’s in the same position as BJ at this point, no one to fight that he shouldn’t just dominate.
Expect a GSP win via rear naked choke
early in the first round. It will be a little disappointing but a win is a win.
First round?
i think gsp probly will win but not early first round i think it will go at least late 3rd round and gsp will win by ko or tko
You can't be serious?
I guarantee you wouldn’t risk a cent putting your money where your mouth is.
If you want to gamble please keep in touch.
by Dball on Dec 15, 2009 1:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
YOU ARE WRONG
For your information, I bet on Serra beating gspenis, and look how that worked out. Anyone with a big punch will beat penis. I bet only £5 but won £170…. SWEEET!!! Bet on Hardy
gspenis?
The 3 year old in me made me lol at that.
Don't eat yellow snow.
by BNF on Dec 15, 2009 2:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
lmao
im a gsp fan and that gspenis comment had me laughing so hard i shat my spleen!
by SweetsugarShaw on Dec 15, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
If you keep saying that
One day you will be right.
Don't eat yellow snow.
by BNF on Dec 15, 2009 2:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
If you don't believe, you won't succeed.
I like Hardy, but he’s “Gonna Get A Hurt!”. You can call your friends for help, but they won’t get here on time.
by FredtheFantastic on Dec 15, 2009 2:08 PM EST reply actions
yeah sure
how many better strikers than serra where able to ko gsp? just cause he is better at striking than serra dosn’t mean anything he will get pounded out.
Then shut up and do it, Hardy boy.
You’re fighting one of the most popular fighters in MMA today. You don’t have to hype this fight like you’re fighting Marcus Davis in the UK.. Just get your ass in the gym bud.
…and we all saw how BJ’s shit talking worked on GSP. Moreover when BJ lost he had to earn back a lot of fans that were soured by the negative hype.
Just saying.
word to the wise
the last two guys to piss off gsp got finished bad. if u want to make it to a decision with him keep your mouth shut
Last 2????
Holy shit – Fitch got the biggest beatdown out of those 3. Sure JB got his cabbage head pummelled and Alves’ head got even bigger (if you can picture that) after quite a few elbows to the noodle, but Fitch was a mess!!!!
Best thing is that Fitch never called him out or pissed him off…..GSP is too nice a guy anyways to get pissed off. He executes a perfect game plan during each fight. We will see some feeling out in the first round and if he gets hit but a few rights, he will take Hardy down. Hardy hasn’t felt any pressure on the ground in any of his fights. Davis was/is a boxer and Swick thinks he is a boxer……..and Rory whateverhisnameis was another boxer.
by hairybumcrack on Dec 15, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
that doesnt make sense
no matter if he keeps his mouth shut or not gsp is gonna sub him or ko him it is not gonna go all 5 rounds for sure either way it goes if hardy wins it is for sure not gonna be by decision
gsp
destruction.
"At home I am a nice guy: but I don't want the world to know. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far"
Muhammad Ali - GOAT
and don't forget to aim just past his ear..
like serra got him with…not the cleanest shot..i still say like everyone else..punchers chance is all hardy has..i am sure that gsp will do away with him however he likes..and this fight needs no hype at all..so he can shush now.
Every one keeps talking about the Serra fight
Obv GSP isnt the same fighter he was before fighting Serra. But I still think Serra won the lottery on that fight. lucky shot. Look what happened in the re-match. Serra look like a 12 year old girl again GSP. Seriously how many elite match get stopped by knees to the side like that. Hardy shouldnt have accepted this fight. Hes gonna look worse that diego after this fight. They prolly only set up this fight to allow UFC popularity to grow in the UK. A lets be honest here, every time a UFC event is set in the UK, the fights are arranged with more skillful UK fighters against less talented US fighters. Its called marketing people.
They set up this fight because Hardy beat Swick
If they wanted the British fighter to win to make the sport bigger over here then they’d have given us GSP-Hardy as the main event for the next British card. I’m convinced that the UFC wanted Swick to win, they were setting him and Kampmann up as the top contenders and the Rough House boys Dan and Paul ruined it for them by dominating them both. Swick was promised a title fight if he beat Hardy so Dan deservedly got it instead when he won.
The last card British card was very fair on UK fighters, they gave them all decent tests and thankfully the days of protecting lesser British fighters is over, we know have some quality fighters from this country in the USA and at 105 they all faced tough opposition. Now the best British fighters like Hardy, Daley, Etim, Pearson and even Bisping are going to be matched up with top competition, no need to protect them anymore let them sink or swim.
Hardy’s saying the right things, he needs to keep the fight standing as long as possible and not do an Alves and fear the takedown. Thiago was beaten mentally by GSP, he didn’t throw as many kicks because he was scared of GSP being able to take him down and without his main offense he had nothing to offer. Dan’s going to have to work very hard on his TDD and be as active off his back as possible, if he gets the chance to finish GSP then he has to take advantage this time as he should have stopped both Davis and Swick but didn’t have the killer instinct required to finish the job when they were rocked. His only shot is to be as active on the feet as possible and not to show GSP too much respect, like Serra the first time he doesn’t have much of a chance on paper but if he can catch GSP cold then he has the potential to cause a monumental upset. Of course GSP will end up taking Dan down and dominate him but if Hardy fights as aggressive as he said here that he would then that is his only shot at winning, you can’t be tentative on the feet against GSP as he’ll take you down regardless.
"I’m in great shape...I feel 100% you know it’s nice to move my hips and not have any problems...I’ll take my loss as a man. I’m willing to die for my cause, are you?" Tito Ortiz before UFC 106
"I wasn’t able to spar at all...I had bulging disks...I want to see somebody fight with a cracked skull, I came in and stepped in with a cracked skull...why the fuck did you give that fight of the night?...for me not getting Fight of the Night I’m taken aback by it...I gave my heart and soul and to be robbed like that, yeah it is what it is." Tito Ortiz after UFC 106
Touch it how?
Caress it? Brush up against it and pretend it was an accident? Tell him that’s just the traditional way for all Qubecois to greet one another?
Good times and riches and son of a bitches
I've seen more than I can recall.
I dont understand?
why would GSP touch his dick? is that just what you want to happen or what?
excuses/reasons
I don’t like sounding like I’m making excuses/reasons for a fighter losing, but GSP only lost to Serra due to slipping 2x when trying to plant to throw a punch. It leaves your guard down and exposed.
See Couture KO’d in same manner by Chuck. Its good Chuck and Serra were able to capitalize. But, Serra was exposed as nothing more than a guy in a great situation from that fight.
by daniel worby on Dec 15, 2009 7:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Please God let Hardy win this one.
And thanks wandwagon i almost forgot to go buy my ticket tonight.
haha no worries
but i don’t even think hardy has a puncher’s chance in this one. gsp will gnp his way to a tko.
What do we know about Hardy?
All this conjecture about Hardy beating GSP?
Who has he fought?
Even better, has he displayed an amazing amount of talent during other fights?
Don’t give me wrong…I think he has talent beyond the middle ground in his weight class. The problem is that the top 5 are head and shoulders above the rest.
One thing I do know about Hardy is that his wrestling is questionable. GSP will just take him down and pound him out.
Dat is right...
Serra beat GSP with a punchers chance and cause GSP took him lightly. GSP is NOT THE SAME FIGHTER!!!!! Hardy is gonna be destroyed, period. II understand there is no1 with a credible record to take on GSP and Hardy is just filling the slot but how the hell can anyone really realistically think that Hardy will win. GSP is a god damn monster at 170 and nobody can touch him! All that being said, I think the 1st round will be exciting but the whole match will be similar to GSP v Alves and GSP v Fitch
true true
hardy really has no chance GSP is a monster at 170 and hardy wont know what hit him
Erm
I’ve read quite a few comments about “shit talking” here and that it’s going to get Hardy a vicious beatdown… Please explain where he talks shit in his statement?
He has the right idea, so many fighters concentrate on the wrong thing rather than sticking to what they do best. Alves was a good example and Houston Alexander is the poster boy. Both would have had better chances by letting go and throwing bombs – they may have got KO’d but they at least would have had that punchers chance, without which they had little to offer.
A title shot may be a one time only chance, would you really want to spend the rest of your life thinking “why did I train to not get taken down, (against a guy who takes down anyone he likes) rather than give it my best shot and leave it all in the ring, knowing I’ve tried my hardest?”
I think he has the right attitude and perhaps thats the correct way of thinking...
but i think a lot of fighters talk & think like that, and they truly believe it… until they get taken down HARD the first time they throw something with power. And they spend several minutes eating shots, passed and put in bad situations and getting overwhelmed on the ground.
Then dont inted to, but they DO get tentative and its all downhill from there! You have to be really mentally strong to keep going for that KO-punch after a long and grueling beatdown. If Hardy doesnt get the KO in the first 2 minutes and end up on his back. I see he quitting in the end of the first or middle on the second.
by Zlatan, My Hero on Dec 16, 2009 7:24 AM EST up reply actions
Amen brother
Its easy to say let it all go in the octagon, swing for the fences but after a brutal beating on the ground I think it will change his mind and he’ll be much more concerned about the takedowns,,,,,,,gsp by rearnaked choke early in this fight.
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