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Former Disgraced Panthers DE Greg Hardy Set To Fight

By Richard Adkins

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: Greg Hardy reacts after defeating Dmitrii Smoliakov of Russia during their heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night at BB&T Center on April 27, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: Greg Hardy reacts after defeating Dmitrii Smoliakov of Russia during their heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night at BB&T Center on April 27, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Panthers fans have a reason to watch (or tune out) the UFC fights on Saturday night.

Many know Greg Hardy from his horrific domestic violence arrest, but despite being thrown out of the NFL and facing major backlash from fans, the athlete has found a new home in the Octagon. The hatred many feel for Hardy didn’t stop the UFC from not only signing Hardy but now putting him on a card that is expected to reach new heights with the world watching the first live sporting event in a very long time.

Hardy got his first shot in the MMA world with a debut match against Joe Hawkins in a 32 second knock out. Hardy then continued his dominance in the amateur MMA world with knock outs of Kenneth Woods in the first round and Ryan Chester in just 14 seconds. Once people caught on and with already having name recognition from the NFL, Hardy got the call to fight in Dana White’s competition where he met and knocked out another ex-NFL defensive end Austin Lane. That fight got Hardy a contract with the UFC and despite backlash from many, it didn’t stop pen from meeting paper.

Despite how many feel about Hardy, he has shown dominance in the octagon with a record of 5-2-0 with one no contest and his nickname “Prince of War” represents that. Tonight he takes on Yorgan De Castro who sits at 6-0 and will be putting Hardy through his toughest test yet. There is no doubt most will be in the corner of Castro, but without any fans to cheer or boo the advantage is in Hardy’s corner with no noise to tune out. Regardless of who you think will win this fight, there is without a doubt that this is a fight to watch.

Tonight card is stacked:

(Main Card) ESPN + 10:00 PM EST

Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje 

(C) Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz

Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar 

Greg Hardy vs Yogan De Castro

(Prelims) ESPN and ESPN+ 6:30 pm EST

Anthony Pettis vs Donald Cerrone

Aleksei Oleinik vs Fabricio Werdum

Carla Esparza vs Michelle Waterson

Vicente Luque vs Niko Price

(Early Prelims) ESPN and ESPN+ 6:30pm EDT

Bryce Mitchell vs Charles Rosa

Ryan Spann vs Sam Alvey 

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