Report | Greg Hardy gets booked to fight again, still not with UFC

Controversial heavyweight fighter Greg Hardy has his next fight booked according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. Hardy is coming off of another first-round knockout win over Rasheem Jones at Xtreme Fight Night 352 on September 29. Now, with Hardy 3-0 as a professional, his next step will be once again fighting for a smaller promotion outside of the UFC.

Former NFL Pro Bowler turned MMA fighter Greg Hardy's next fight will be Dec. 21 in Pensacola, Fla. for Island Fights, according to sources close to Hardy. If all goes well, this could very well be his last non-UFC fight, sources say. More: https://t.co/GJN4QKAuKO pic.twitter.com/Iz1TPeWXTD

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 17, 2018

“Bit of an update for all of y’all on former NFL pro-bowler, now turned mixed martial arts fighter, Greg Hardy. He is 3-0 as a professional, he won a fight a couple of weeks ago. I’m told via sources close to Hardy that his next fight will be December 21, in Pensacola, Florida. It will be for the Island Fight Promotions and his opponent for this time is TBD. This is notable because he is still on the UFC’s developmental deal.

After this fight, he will have one fight left. But once again, I’m being told via sources close to Hardy that if this fight goes to plan, ie. if he wins the fight, then his next fight after that will be in the UFC. They want to get him one more fight outside the promotion and then he will cross over in early 2019, into the Octagon.

So, December 21, Greg Hardy returns and if that goes well his next fight after that one could very well be in the big show.”

A win for Hardy would sure be impressive as he would improve to 4-0. However, even with Hardy showing the skills to be a good fighter, many fans do not want to see him in the Octagon. Hardy was arrested for assault of his ex-girlfriend. It was alleged that Hardy strangled her, threw her into furniture and threatened to kill her.

For the UFC and Hardy, they realize what happened in the past is the past and they all need to move on. Hardy will continue to fight and he will fight in the UFC sooner rather than later.

Do you think Hardy should fight in the UFC?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/17/2018.