Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy says he’s making the transition into mixed martial arts.
Hardy spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers, last year with the Dallas Cowboys and is currently a free agent.
“I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career,” Hardy told MMAFighting in a statement. “I’m going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that. I’m fully committed to being as successful as I can be in this sport.”
Hardy’s announcement has been met with some criticism. The 28-year-old was found guilty on two counts of domestic violence in July 2014 – those charges were dismissed during the appeal process in February 2015 – for an alleged altercation with his ex-girlfriend. He was placed on the NFL’s Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List and missed all but one game of the 2014 season.
“I would be incredibly disappointed in any of my fellow MMA coaches and any promoters if they took Greg Hardy in and taught him a shred of our incredible sport,” NFL insider Jay Glazer, who is also heavily involved in MMA, said in a tweet Tuesday. “Many of us train women in self defense specifically to help protect vs domestic violence. Me and all my coaches at @Unbreakable do and take great pride in that. Competing in any sport is a privilege, Greg Hardy should not be granted the privilege. There are many beautiful arts taught in our sport, none of which should be afforded to him.”
Hardy will join the likes of Bob Sapp, Marcus Jones, Herschel Walker, Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub as NFLers to cross over into MMA.
