Greg Hardy’s Octagon debut didn’t end the way it was planned to last night (Sat., Jan. 19, 2018) at UFC on ESPN+ 1 from inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, when he was disqualified against Allen Crowder for landing an illegal knee in the second round.
While Hardy was fighting pretty well and likely in front on the scorecards, his strike in the second was the only thing anybody is going to remember. It happened during a transition back to the feet in which Crowder had one knee planted on the canvas and Hardy still blasted him with a knee straight to the head. Crowder obviously couldn’t continue and Hardy was dished out a disqualification.
Current UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier weighed in on the incident from cageside:
“This is the last thing he needs,” said Cormier. “The public opinion is going to be horrible on this.”
Like Cormier, some of MMA’s finest couldn’t help but react to Hardy’s debut gone wrong and offer their insight into the illegal blow:
Let’s give Hardy a Main Event spot now. Lol what a joke
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) January 20, 2019
Before each event the referee comes up to each fighter that they are reffing and explains the rules.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) January 20, 2019
You’re saying a guy who has tried to make a career out of the sport didn’t know a pretty basic rule? (Oh and it was right after he lost his cool too) https://t.co/qLYPmvQaLS
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 20, 2019
The arena reaction to Hardy's DQ speaks to how transparent his public act is. As it stands it is impossible for Hardy, the UFC or anyone else to convince people he's a worthy guy. Job just got that much harder too if your only tool is the soundbite.
— Scott Harris (@ScottHarrisMMA) January 20, 2019
He knew it was illegal. Wanted a way out. Women beaters are all cowards.
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) January 20, 2019
This was the worst outcome Hardy could produce. The remedial fighting didn't need to be in this spot. Whatever. https://t.co/20DZUkRVAd
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) January 20, 2019
I've never seen or heard a crowd so happy about a DQ win
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 20, 2019
Greg Hardy just destroyed my @DraftKings pics #UFCBrooklyn
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) January 20, 2019
Someone tirrreedddd.
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) January 20, 2019
Imo crowder was on his way to winning that fight anyways. Hardy was in deep water
— Tim Johnson (@tbeartim) January 20, 2019
Greg Hardy got DQ’d for an illegal knee. This is my surprised face. Totally shocking.
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) January 20, 2019
If Greg Hardy wasn't the most hated man coming into this fight card, he certainly is now. Done himself no favours with the MMA community with that performance.
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 20, 2019
Allen Crowder wins via DQ and the crowd love it.#UFCBrooklyn
It's almost like Greg Hardy doesn't think much before he acts. #UFCBrooklyn
— Scott Harris (@ScottHarrisMMA) January 20, 2019
Isn’t that how life goes ... Greg Hardy #UFConESPN
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 20, 2019
Well, everyone except Crowder just got exactly what they deserved from this situation
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) January 20, 2019
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