The UFC’s expert analyst reveals the fights that changed his life.
The Outlaw
Former UFC title challenger
MMA Debut: 2004 Record: 25-10 (1NC)
Notable wins: Duane Ludwig, Mike Swick, Marcus Davis, Rory Markham, Akihiro Gono
Eye-opener
Royce Gracie vs. Kimo Leopoldo, UFC 3:
That was two real fighters both getting in there to try and beat each other, but very stylistically opposing. That was my first introduction to what MMA was potentially going to be. That was the first fight I saw and thought, ‘This is
the place that I can test my skills on an even playing field against people that are taking martial arts as seriously as I am.’ It completely blew my mind. It’s almost at that moment I realized what I should be putting all my energy and focus into.
Reality check
Dan Hardy vs. Lee Doski 1, Extreme Brawl 7:
My first pro fight. I wanted to get to the top as quickly as possible. I thought, ‘I can beat this guy everywhere.’ I came out to Pantera and that was my first error. My energy was chaotic. I was angry, I was aggressive. It was like I opened a can of f**king chaos and I couldn’t contain it. My game plan went out of the window.
It was a massive wake-up call because I didn’t see a way I could lose. It was a motivating factor even after I fought him again and beat him. It was a constant reminder that I had to stay in control.
Evolution
Tito Ortiz vs. Vitor Belfort, UFC 51:
That was the first time I thought to myself, ‘This is what mixed martial arts is.’ This is two guys who can strike and grapple. They’d been working with different coaches I realized that was the error a lot of people were making in mixed martial arts, myself included. That fight stood apart for me because the transitions were so quick and seamless.
Champion
Dan Hardy vs. Matt Thorpe, CWFC: Strike Force 4:
My first five-rounder and I won the Cage Warriors title. It was the first time I properly analyzed an opponent and the only time I’d properly analyzed myself.
It was a tough fight. He could have easily caught me in a submission. He was close with an armbar – probably closer than GSP when I fought him. I toughed it out, fought my way out of a few bad situations and I got the belt. It was the first time I got a belt I really valued. There was loads of banter between the teams as well. I think I had seven cornermen and so did he. There was s**t talking all the way through the fight. It was typical old UK MMA.
The big show
Dan Hardy vs. Rory Markham, UFC 95:
I was bumped straight up to the co-main event in my second (UFC) fight. It was a big card at the O2 Arena, my family were right at the side of the Octagon with a big flag that had my name on it and I got a left-hook knockout, which was probably the second-best punch I’ve ever thrown – the best being the Duane Ludwig knockout. I knew he was going to hunt for my chin. He overextended with the right hand and I had a tighter, faster left hook. I caught him clean on the temple. There were a lot of positive reinforcements with that fight like taking risks, trusting my game plan, trusting my footwork and subconsciously listening to what my coaches were telling me.
