Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy was knocked cold by Josh Watson in his debut fight as part of the Knucklemania 3 card on Friday night.
With just under two minutes left in the second round of the bout, Hardy missed the target with a wild left-handed swing and in return ate a left hook from his opponent that saw him immediately drop to the canvas.
Hardy had signed with an organization called Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, which promotes boxing without gloves. In his first fight, he was handed a mediocre fighter as his first bare knuckle opponent in an attempt to give him an easy win. As you can see, it did not go as planned, he was knocked cold by Josh Watson.
Hardy’s NFL career ended NFL career ended because of a domestic violence accusation. He was a 2010 sixth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers. Hardy was a Pro Bowler in 2013 but spent all but one game of the 2014 season on the commissioner’s exempt list over a domestic violence charge.
In July 2014, Hardy was sentenced to 18 months of probation and a 60-day suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of assault and communicating threats stemming from his arrest for allegedly grabbing an ex-girlfriend, strangling her and threatening to kill her.
The Dallas Cowboys sign Hardy in 2015. He played one season for them. Hardy finished with 238 tackles and 40 sacks.
Hardy signed with the UFC in 2018 and won some fights, but he was cut by that organization a year ago after suffering three consecutive knockout losses. With the way his debut fight ended, he may to find something else to do for a living.
Photo courtsey of Larry Brown Sports
