Dan Hardy Could Return To The Octagon
Former lightweight fighter Dan Hardy hasn’t fought in a UFC octagon since 2012. In the bout, he defeated Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision in his hometown of Nottingham, England. While that sounds like the perfect ‘send off’ to cap off an exceptional career, Hardy has never actually retired. In fact, now that he is medically cleared for competition, Hardy announced he’s re-entering the USADA testing pool. Re-entering the pool is the first step towards a UFC return.
Hardy declared the news on The Joe Rogan Experience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1XCWUm-GAI
During the episode, Hardy revealed what it would take to be able to fight again under the UFC banner again.
“Right now what I’m going to do is get back in the USADA testing pool,” Hardy said. “I have to be in the (USADA testing)pool for four months. Once I’m in the pool for four months, then I have the option to fight if I choose to. Hardy also explained the difficulty of entering the pool and why the process takes so long.
“The problem is that I’m on the road all the time,” Hardy explained. “As far as I know you have to give (USADA) three addresses. These are the places you’re most likely to be at. And if you’re not at any of those places, you have to let them know where you are. I’m always in a different place.”
Although it seems difficult for the UFC commentator and analyst to be stationary, Hardy revealed that he and Jeff Novitsky (UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance) are figuring out the process.
Hardy was sidelined with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome
A specific type of problem with the electrical system of the heart. About 40% of people with the syndrome never develop symptoms. Hardy didn’t exhibit traits of the issue and ultimately decided on not getting surgery. Instead, he decided to step away from the octagon and closely monitor himself until he felt like he could return.
Re-entering the USADA testing pool is the first step of the process of a Dan Hardy return. Once Hardy completes his four months in the testing pool, he will be eligible to make his UFC return. Hardy has already been medically cleared of his condition in late 2018 with paperwork to prove it. If all goes as planned, Hardy could make his return as soon as December or 2020 depending on when he entered the pool.
Are you hype for a Dan Hardy return? Which weight class would you want to see Hardy perform at? Do you have an ideal opponent in mind? Let us know in the comment section below.
