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Dan Hardy: Matt Serra looks at me and sees the same situation he was in

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Props: Las Vegas Sun

Quoteworthy:

"I came out to New Jersey to finish camp, because I didn't want to fly out too close to the fight. I decided to put some feelers out to see if there was an opportunity to train with Matt and he was very welcoming. More than anything, Matt's been in there twice with Georges. He has a lot of experience with the guy. He made some mistakes in the second fight that he can relate to me so I don't make the mistakes myself. He looks at me and sees the same situation he was in. No one gave him a snowflake's chance in hell, but he believed in himself. He's been generous with his time, and he's helped me out. Georges is going to push me in areas I need to be pushed. I want to explore every aspect of this sport, and I'm hoping Geroges is the guy I can do that against. I have nothing to lose so I can take risks in this situation."

Number one welterweight contender Dan Hardy enlists the help of Matt "The Terror" Serra, the last man to dethrone reigning UFC 170-pound champion Georges St. Pierre. "The Outlaw" is talking up a good game -- but only has one finish in four Octagon appearances. Does he have the skill set to beat "Rush" when they collide at UFC 111 in Newark later this month? Or does he simply need a full gas tank and a well-placed bomb?

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Wrong Prof

If Hardy is looking for people with experience against GSP, I’m curious as to why he isn’t talking with Fitch, Kos or Alves. All three guys lost, but at least they went the distance with GSP. Serra got lucky against a GSP who was going through some issues and then got schooled when a more mature Rush entered the Octagon. I just think Fitch, Kos or Alves can give him more insight as to how to survive and possibly win, while Serra can only tell him how to lose.

by SilasM on Mar 18, 2010 9:32 AM EDT reply actions  

Think its pretty obvious why he didn’t talk to Kos or fitch since AKA hates Hardy and the fact that he is fighting for the title not them. Serra got a good punch in against GSP, and that looks like the only hope Hardy has.

In fighting and everyday life you should be determined, though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness, yet not recklessly; your spirit settled, yet unbiased. An elevated spirit is weak, and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit.

by Steve. A. on Mar 18, 2010 9:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Serra did not get lucky. GSP lost. Period. All of this revisionist history is unwarranted. GSP is a better fighter due to that loss.

Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.

-Stephen King

by OJR on Mar 18, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions  

Truth my friend

GSP has improved himself ten fold since that lost and it’s what fighters do after a loss that defines them as fighters. If he didn’t lose to Serra at that time then he wouldn’t be as good as he is now and I’m sure Fitch or Alves would have been able to take him out. The loss put everything into perspective for him and has changed him for the better.

"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."

by Buster Bluth on Mar 18, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

Exactness!

Think about how dumb the average person is, then realize that half of them are even dumber than that.
- P-Dub

by The Negation on Mar 18, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yep a loss can be turned into a positive

 And GSP will not look past an opponent again. but here’s to hoping for the HArdy fans LOL.

"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by Puck Head on Mar 18, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

True…he lost, but it was still lucky. Even without the improvement since the loss he would have beaten Serra 99 times out of 100.

Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider

by frosnt1 on Mar 18, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

and that’s not to say the punch itself was lucky. The main point is the outcome of the fight was highly improbable. So unless you think Serra could repeat that result with any degree of consistency, then it was a lucky win, whether you consider the actual punch to be lucky or not.

Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider

by frosnt1 on Mar 18, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

OK. So you’re of the school of thought that just because you intended to do something that it can never be lucky? I don’t agree with that but that wasn’t my point, anyway.

My point, as I said above, is that it was a lucky win because most people would agree that GSP would win that fight almost always if they fought 100 times (although we obviously have no way of empirically proving this).

Another thought about the significance of Serra’s win and rankings in general in MMA…

Did Serra win? Of course. But one lucky win NEVER made him the better fighter.
 
One of the main problem with combat sports is the athletes can’t compete enough, for promotional and health concerns. That, and MMA fans have an overly simplistic view of fighter’s worth. In MMA rankings, a fighter can’t lose to someone and stay higher ranked than that person, which really they should be able to do. This leads to fluke victories taking on more significance than they should. If you look at tennis, for example, Federer has losing records to both Nadal and Murray, yet there is no question that he is the number one in the world. And these aren’t just a couple head-to-head matches…they’ve often played upwards of twenty times. There are a lot misleading outcomes that head-to-head matchups have in MMA. I guess what I’m saying is two-fold…1)a fighter winning a single fight against another fighter does not establish a pattern for how the rest of a 100 fight series might play out, 2) even if a fighter wins the majority of fights in a series it does not necessarily mean he is the “better” fighter.

Not sure what the point of that rant was feel free not to read it…it might have been obvious but at the same time a lot of people still seem to think very simplistically about these kinds of questions.

Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider

by frosnt1 on Mar 18, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

Sorry 1 and 1

"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by Puck Head on Mar 18, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

I usually agree with you, but...

The lucky punch set up the TKO. I mean of course Serra was aiming to end the fight with his punches, but he was lucky that he connected in that spots and probably couldn’t do it again in 100 fights.

I agree with frostn1, just because you intend to do something doesn’t mean that getting the desired result is not luck. I mean, if I were to shoot a basketball from half court. I’m intending for it to go in, and if it did…It would CERTAINLY be lucky that it did go in.

by Shadyone33 on Mar 18, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

No argument just my insight

Its hard to say that gsp wouldve beat serra 99 out of 100 their first time around because gsp lost straight up. Wasnt like gsp was winning the fight at the moment he got tagged. It was really even at that point after a few minutes of action. Obviously, nowadays gsp would win everytime based off their last fight not even being close. But back then , theres no way to say that gsp was that much better seeing as he was finished. I could watch that first fight over and over and not see anything that would imply gsp would win 99 out of 100.

by Tr8k on Mar 18, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

because win or lose Fitch Alves Kos will be his next opponents and there camps are at war. Really hope Fitch gets destroyed so there camp will finally crumble after Daley wins Kos.

I was a fool to think Bisping had any chance against the Axe Murderer, and even more foolish to bet agaisnt the great Puck Head.

by Tonyuk on Mar 18, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed

Serra is the wrong dude to be learning how to fight GSP from. Its been a long time since that fight first of all, so GSP himself is a different fighter ( something Serra learned when he lost after ). Kos Fitch all hate Hardy; I think the best people Hardy can really train with right now are wrestlers. If he could bring Chael Sonnen into camp he might be doin somethin right

by theworldismine on Mar 18, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

Dan says he has nothing to lose.

He has this fight to lose and if he does it will be awhile before he is back in the #1 contender spot, if he makes it back to #1. Its funny to me how he can spew so much shit about anyone and as soon as someone says something about him he gets visibly angry, I see that as a weakness. Who knows maybe roid rage, he is a big dude with a bad attitude.

by HEELHOOK on Mar 18, 2010 9:50 AM EDT reply actions  

GSP has everything to lose my friend if he doesn't take things seriously and looks past hardy.

With Dan’s power, once he gets tagged, it’s good night for the Frenchie! WAR BRITS! I just love rooting for the “right underdog”!

Think about how dumb the average person is, then realize that half of them are even dumber than that.
- P-Dub

by The Negation on Mar 18, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

GSP has everything to lose?

Seriously? Someone is going to come and take back all the money he’s been paid? He’ll lose the fact that he won the belt and then defended it in dominate fashion several times? He’ll lose his Canadian Athlete of the Year award? Give me a break. The only thing he’ll have lost is a +1 in the W column and maybe a few endorsement dollars in the near future. And, I bet if he did lose, it would end up turning him into an even better GSP.

by OdiusD on Mar 18, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

I agree with Odious. That phrase “he’s got everything to lose” is thrown around pretty loosely. If he loses this fight, fine, it’s a loss. But it’s just one fight. That wouldn’t suddenly turn GSP into a failure. It just means he’s a great martial artist who lost a fight.

And I highly doubt Georges would underestimate Hardy. He’s intelligent enough to know that he shouldn’t underestimate anyone. Everyone’s gunnin for him, he knows that.

by - Ella on Mar 18, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

What is this "power" you speak of?

invisibility? adamantium skeleton? telekenisis? I know you don’t mean punching power.

by Tuff.Gong on Mar 18, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions  

Dan's power?

Who has he one punch ko’d? He can’t hit like Serra, he may not even hit as hard as BJ at lightweight.

by cosa7189 on Mar 18, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Spending a few days with Serra...

…isn’t going to get him anywhere. It’s not like Serra is a top ranked fighter. His only big win was over a distracted GSP. He then proceeded to curl up in a little ball the second go around and take a beating. Not much to learn from there. If he wanted to get some inside info on GSP then he should have gone to Penn who has fought him twice now.

"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."

by Buster Bluth on Mar 18, 2010 10:04 AM EDT reply actions  

Agreed.

This doesn’t really make sense to me either. I wonder if the ufc promo machine set all this up……….

Oh, yes, Meg, yes-yes yes, everything was going swimmingly for you until this. Yes, yes, THIS is the thing that will ruin your reputation, not your years of grotesque appearance, or your awkward social graces, or that Felix Ungerish way you clear your sinuses, no no no, it's THIS. Do you hear yourself talk? I might kill you tonight.

by Dragon101 on Mar 18, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

Hardy can take risks? Sure he can....

…..but those risks will present themselves as opportunities against an experienced fighter like GSP. GSP will capitalize on them and move the fight where he wants to take it.

by Dugout on Mar 18, 2010 10:08 AM EDT reply actions  

gsp by tko

i don’t know why everybody says gsp has no chin he lost by tko 1 time. a ton of fighters have lost by tko, ko more times than that and nobody says they have no chin example rampage has ben ko,d a few times questions his chin.

by pjpierce on Mar 18, 2010 10:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Exactly

GSP took some good shots by Fitch and a really nice one by Alves and neither of these guys dropped him. The whole “GSP’s chin is suspect” angle is just a desperate attempt by haters to find a chink in Rush’s armour. Sorry boys, that line of argument just doesn’t wash and will be totally laughable after yet another fight with a “superior” striker.

by SilasM on Mar 18, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions  

and on top of that

He got hit behind the ear by Serra which will fuck up anybody’s equilibrium. His chin had nothing to do with that tko. Alves knocked the bejesus out of him and there was no faze. Gsp has a solid chin. That being said, Gsp has become fairly vanilla to me and when I don’t have a favorite I go for the dog. I am expectind GSP to destroy Hardy but will be rooting for Dan

-This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

by PSYQO78 on Mar 18, 2010 10:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

its as exactly what you guys said

Its a desperate attempt to find something so they can motivate themselves and fool themselves into believing they have something to aim for. Truth of the matter is its just plain silliness.

worbanizer

by daniel worby on Mar 18, 2010 1:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

If Mike Goldberg sees that pic above, he'll be blurtin' "Superman Punch"!!!
No one gave him a snowflake’s chance in hell…

This shit’s hilarious!

Think about how dumb the average person is, then realize that half of them are even dumber than that.
- P-Dub

by The Negation on Mar 18, 2010 10:11 AM EDT reply actions  

Leg kick to the body, isn’t that right, Joe?

The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful

by P-Dub on Mar 18, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

but you prefer the fist punch to the face

As you personal favorite technique right Dub.

-This is my signature. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

by PSYQO78 on Mar 18, 2010 10:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Lets compare training partners

Hardy: Matt Sera
GSP: KenFlo, Nate Marquardt and Patrick Cote
Advantage: GSP

by domino effect on Mar 18, 2010 10:16 AM EDT reply actions  

More

Don’t forget Gracie.

by SilasM on Mar 18, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed except for Cote. Sorry, Cote fans.

Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.

-Stephen King

by OJR on Mar 18, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

Gracie as well

I only posted this because so much talk has been about Hardy training with Serra. Ok….GSP trains with so many people. He has also trained with Mousasi, Rashad etc. I understand it is a good story line, but Hardy/Serra training together for a week will have no outcome on this fight.

by domino effect on Mar 18, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

You are an absolute fool!

Why do people use his “mental game” as a reason for him to lose every fight? He made 1 mistake against Serra and got caught, and he has been dominant since then. Hardy is going to get absolutely destroyed, and I’ll be surprised if this fight goes past round 2. The only person that can beat GSP right now is GSP, and he’s not going to let it happen.

by LJ. on Mar 18, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

You are an absolute fool!

What you should be saying is that his great advantage is that he can take him to a decision because the only WW he’s finished in in the last four years was Hughes and Serra. The day GSP “destroys” someone they shouldn’t be fighting.

by MichaelMichael on Mar 18, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

lololololol

some of these comments are so stupid you have to wonder how you dumbass’s think this stuff up. LMAO, weak mental game lololololol!

by HEELHOOK on Mar 18, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

yep Moussasi as well.

And I dunno why you’re laughing below buddy. Kenflo would beat Hardy as well.

worbanizer

by daniel worby on Mar 18, 2010 1:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

hahahahah

joker

"In Japan, the crowd is quiet, this one time I heard a cute girl fart in the second row." - Rampage Jackson

by Rampagelangford on Mar 18, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

kenflo LMAO

Open up the Shit Gates and God Bless Marv

by BJPennfan on Mar 18, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

please make this fight got to the 4th or 5th and Hardy ko's him its my dream

Not sure if anyone noticed but when Arial Hewani interviewed Serra after his win he asked about Hardy v GSP and Serra seemed pissed off because Hardy said in a interview that Serra had seen that he was better version of Serra. Serra didnt hold a grudge anyway its good to see.

I was a fool to think Bisping had any chance against the Axe Murderer, and even more foolish to bet agaisnt the great Puck Head.

by Tonyuk on Mar 18, 2010 10:19 AM EDT reply actions  

lets compare training partners?

Didnt Hardy just say his team are on a 20 fight win streak or something?

I was a fool to think Bisping had any chance against the Axe Murderer, and even more foolish to bet agaisnt the great Puck Head.

by Tonyuk on Mar 18, 2010 10:21 AM EDT reply actions  

My team is on a 500 fight win streak against disabled people and 10 year olds. So by your logic, I guess that means I have better training partners than Hardy does.

by prokstar on Mar 18, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

what kind of retarded attempt at a comeback was that? LOL

"In Japan, the crowd is quiet, this one time I heard a cute girl fart in the second row." - Rampage Jackson

by Rampagelangford on Mar 18, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

The point is 20 wins against a bunch of losers doesn’t mean a damn thing.

by prokstar on Mar 18, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions  

training partners aren't even close

GSP has a huge advantage, and always does.

Also, Hardy’s coach acts like he’s a master game planner, and then he reveals the game plan is to “Hit him cleanly, and knock him down”. Wow, that’s a serious game plan, good luck with that!

by LJ. on Mar 18, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

Thats a good point L.J.

Dan has one shot at winning this fight and his plan is to hit GSP in the face. GSP can win this fight on his feet on the ground etc were ever it goes.

by HEELHOOK on Mar 18, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

Serra Shocked the world and he's giving Hardy some tips

Now it’s the Outlaws turn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Open up the Shit Gates and God Bless Marv

by BJPennfan on Mar 18, 2010 11:15 AM EDT reply actions  

George never trained with the monks!

Hardy did!

Open up the Shit Gates and God Bless Marv

by BJPennfan on Mar 18, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions  

That's crazy hardy trained with monks when he was a kid!

I think hardys under gsp’s skin already. Gsp is underestimating him saying he’s not a real martial artist. Walking out 2 cage in pajamas duznt make U a make U a martial artist =p hardys a funny guy. No1’s giving me a snowflakes chance in hell ! Lol I’m rooting for hardy I think he pulls it off!

by d*locc on Mar 18, 2010 11:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

If GSP decides to fight at quarter speed maybe some of those Katas will help. Until then Dan is a dead man.

canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania

by jay. on Mar 18, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

Exactly!

Serra beating GSP years ago can be likened to Buster Douglass ko’ing Mike Tyson. He caught ligtning in a bottle one time and he didn’t do jack afterwards. Serra lost to a washed up Matt Hughes for Pete’s sake. And I don’t care how great a striker Hardy says or thinks he is. He hasn’t proved squat to me. He ko’d some tomatoe cans. He hasn’t beaten anyone in the top 10. Now he’s fighting targuably the best fighter in the world . Good luck there bud, you’ll need it. This will be GSP’s easiest fight to date. KO or Submission by round 3!

Calu

by Calu on Mar 18, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

With you 100%. KO or sub before the championship rounds. Hardy hasn't fought 5 rounds in the UFC and he won't get a chance next Saturday to do it either.

Buster Douglas also caught Tyson at the right time, he wasn’t of sound mind. Poor Hardy doesn’t even have that going for him. This is GSP’s easiest fight in a long time.

canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania

by jay. on Mar 18, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Forgot to add: I really like Dan, I hope he is successful in future fights.

canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania

by jay. on Mar 18, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

yeah, he has potential

but this fight is coming too early for him. He should have fought maybe 2 guys in the top 10 first. I don’t think he’d get past Fitch or Alves to tell you the truth.

Calu

by Calu on Mar 18, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed. GSP is too much for Hardy at this point in his career.

Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.

-Stephen King

by OJR on Mar 18, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

He's a huge guy too, he has potential to be a major force at WW for a while.

Good luck to Dan, starting March 28th 2010.

canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania

by jay. on Mar 18, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Exactly!

I will root for him after GSP beats his ass. You know that GSP will say “This loss will be the best thing that ever happens to Dan Ardy”.

All joking aside, I really like Hardy. He seems like a cool guy, and I like the way he fights. He has a bright future.

by LJ. on Mar 18, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

For sure. I start being a full time Dan Hardy fan next Sunday.

He’ll be a better fighter when GSP is done with him, that’s a given.

canadians cheat and lie…whereas americans are fair and respectul in sports…--HellaHectic the funniest MF'er on Mania

by jay. on Mar 18, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

The monk footage was . . . .

intense . . . . to say the least, didnt expect that last night. GSP still has this one BUT i dont think he’ll finish Hardy like i had previously thought (just like everyone else GSP faces thats actually his size), another decision coming, Hardy has will and heart and focus, that will buy him 25 minutes, too bad he wont be mounting an offense at any point throughout the 25 minutes, monks or not. LOVED THE FOOTAGE THOUGH< GOOD STUFF (and at 18 years old . . . . LoL, really . . . ???)

"Look Eye! Must Always Look Eye!!"

by ( (Adam G) ) on Mar 18, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions  

GSP GSP GSP !

Yea GSP gonna rape this pussy ass bitch whose sucks dick. GSP by KO, SUB or GNP whatever he wants hoes . The outlaw stand up is overrated and will be exposed !!!

by TD500 on Mar 18, 2010 12:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Expand your vocabulary. Making every third word an expletive doesn’t make you look cool.
Really, it drops your perceived age by 10, and you were barely scraping puberty as is.

After a minor genealogical search, I have determined that Cain Velasquez's great-grandfather was a truck.
And Mirko Cro Cop is a direct descendant of a wrecking ball. But I think you already knew that.

by Johnny WF on Mar 18, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think GSP will win but u have to give Hardy some respect he has beat everybody the ufc have given him and i would much rather see somebody go in against GSP and go for him than just think they have lost before the fight and then be all defensive. Anyway i think it will be a good fight and Hardy will have a lot more fans after it

by taff83 on Mar 18, 2010 1:12 PM EDT reply actions  

GSP via Second Round Sub

Yep, I know everyone wants to see a war, as do I, but I just don’t see this fight lasting long. Hardy could win with a quick KO, but I think GSP is simply going to beat him up for a while and then submit him just like Hughes/GSP III

by SilasM on Mar 18, 2010 3:14 PM EDT reply actions  

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