Issue 114

May 2014

Dan Hardy has stepped into the commentary booth while heart problems keep him out the Octagon. And he couldn’t be happier

Leading Man: Dan Hardy

UFC FIGHTER AND COMMENTATOR 

The rare heart condition that’s halted UFC welterweight Dan Hardy’s fight career has finally given him “some peace.” Currently there’s no positive prognosis for his Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which the 31-year-old was diagnosed with in March last year. But the fact it’s keeping him out the cage has given him time to write and travel more. Plus, the US-based ‘Outlaw’ has rediscovered yoga, and he can experiment with his vegan diet, too. 

Now, to match his new inner calm, he’s just started a new chapter: as UFC colour commentator. The Briton is playing Joe Rogan to the Mike Goldberg of fellow new announcing recruit John Gooden. They’re helming all cards held in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region, which are also beamed worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.

“I like the challenge,” says Hardy, whose first duty was to call the UFC Fight Night London card earlier this month. It might have been Hardy’s debut event live on air, but he and Gooden were given an un-broadcasted practice run two weeks prior at UFC 170 in Las Vegas. It was fortunate too, because it gave the 25-10 (1 NC) striker the opportunity to eradicate a turn-of-phrase of his before the world could hear it – over and over again.

He laughs: “Fortunately my girlfriend has been helping me out; I have a habit of saying ‘you know’ all the time. So now, when I’m having a conversation with my girlfriend we’ll be talking and I’ll say ‘you know’ and she’ll say, ‘No, I don’t know.’ And I’m like, ‘Ah, I said it again!’ So I’m recognising it and now I’m hearing other people say it.”

That’s something the rookie commentator can control directly, but there are things he can’t. Such as how his new work is received by the UFC’s very passionate followers. The keyboard warriors don’t bother him – he’s sparred with them already during his fighting days – but he hopes the rest can appreciate what he brings to the position.

“I’ve had the wins, the losses, the title fight and the save-your-career fight, and I’ve been knocked out, and I’ve been submitted,” states Hardy. “In a short period of time I’ve experienced a lot inside the sport. And I hope, if nothing else, that will give the fans just that little bit of respect that I have a perspective that might be worth listening to. And that they’ll forgive me for the first couple of shows while I’m getting used to the role.”

But although he’s got a front row seat outside the Octagon these days, it doesn’t mean he’s finished inside it. The only roadblock to gloving up again is the doctors who have so far insisted he have surgery to investigate his second heart beat before they tell the UFC he can fight. But they’re not promising to fix him, and because the syndrome is currently giving him no trouble, he doesn’t see the sense. But while this might have stunted his fighting life, his personal development has flourished. 

“It’s given me some perspective and made me realise how neglectful I was of everything else in my life when I was competing,” says Hardy. “I mean, it was completely one-track minded. It was all martial arts all the time.”

While he appreciates that fresh look, getting back inside the ring for the first time since September 2012 is still a priority. In fact, he’s got an ideal scenario already planned out for the future. 

Hardy explains: “Do a fight, take 18 months off, do other things. ‘OK I feel like I’m going to do another fight again. There’s a London show coming up we’ve got someone to stand in for my commentary job, perfect, Ross Pearson’s injured, he can do the commentary job and I’ll fight.’ That kind of thing. I’d love that. I’ve just kind of decided what I want out of my life, and I’m making it now.”

Leading Man: John Gooden

THE BOY'S DONE GOODEN

While Dan Hardy may be a commentary box novice, his new sidekick John Gooden is well known to hardcore MMA fans thanks to his five-year stint calling the plays for British promotion Cage Warriors.

But despite all that extra experience, Gooden is both thrilled and nervous to have signed for the UFC. 

He says: “Around December 2013, it was announced the UFC were going to try and put together their own talent team. I rehearsed, had to go through the trial process, work with Dan, had some meetings like a normal job and apparently they liked me.

“The actual call came in February from Amanda Lawson, the head of all things TV production-related for the UFC. It was quite emotional actually; it was the call I’d been dreaming about. 

“I mean, where else is there for me to go? This is just top-of-the-tree stuff and everything I’ve ever wanted out of my broadcasting career. To combine my passion for martial arts, help these fighters get their stories out there, and all while working for the biggest fight organisation in the world.”

And Gooden, who used to work at the BBC, hopes all the years he’s spent training judo, karate, BJJ and Muay Thai will, as well as the hours he spends researching individual fighters ahead of events, see him quickly accepted by UFC fans, although he’s prepared for the worst.

He says: “I’m developing thick skin because I am aware a lot of people don’t like change and feel comfortable putting others down.But I’m genuinely here for the sport. I’m not playing a role here and it’s not about gaining followers on social media or becoming famous. I feel duty bound with my skill-set to effect positivity and change.”