Former NFL DE & UFC Fighter Greg Hardy Set To Have Second Pro Boxing Fight Against Significant Opponent

JACKSONVILLE, FL – MAY 09: Greg Hardy of the United States awaits the start of the fight against Yorgan De Castro of Cape Verde in their Heavyweight fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 9, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Greg Hardy will have his second pro boxing fight on Saturday. Former UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy will step in for Vitor Belfort and face Hasim Rahman Jr. at Saturday’s Misfits Boxing event.

The promotion announced the change on Tuesday as the four-round heavyweight fight takes place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas and streams on Dazn. Hardy made his professional boxing debut in October, scoring a second-round knockout of Mike Hook under the Black Sheep Boxing banner.

The former NFL defensive end flamed out in the MMA world as he went 4-5 with one no-contest in the UFC before his release earlier this year.

Rahman Jr. will be no easy feat as he is 12-1 as a professional boxer. He suffered his first career defeat when he was knocked out in the fifth round by Kenzie Morrison at an event entitled “Sons of Legends” back in April. He was scheduled to fight Jake Paul in August before weight-cutting issues resulted in the cancellation of the bout.

Hardy made the switch to MMA after it was clear no NFL team would have him on their roster given his off-the-field issues. Earlier this year, Hardy discussed joining either WWE or AEW:

“Somebody hit me up, AEW, WWE, hit me up. I’m down. I’ll get in the gym right now. I’ll show up with the Monday night muscles and jump off the side of the rope on anybody. I’ll come out with one of those Rey Mysterio type masks.

“I’m going to grab a design artist too. You have to have showmanship, or like Goldust, something crazy. It has to be entertainment level stuff. You can’t just come out with tights on and have a six-pack unless you’re Brock Lesnar or The Rock.

“I’m an old school fan. I would love to get in there. I’m waiting for the call. If you know somebody that is watching this right now, hit me up and let’s get to work.”

Hardy had a six-year career in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys from 2010 to 2015. In 75 NFL regular-season games, Hardy recorded 238 tackles, 40 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

Hardy played in 12 games for the Cowboys in his final NFL season in 2015, registering 35 tackles, six sacks and an interception.