Former NFL, UFC star Greg Hardy signs with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Former NFL star defensive end-turned-Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight Greg Hardy has once again journeyed down a different career path. 

According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Hardy has put pen to paper on an exclusive multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The 33-year-old lost his last three bouts in the UFC before that promotion chose not to re-sign him at the expiration of his contract this past March, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.

Hardy originally joined the NFL when the Carolina Panthers selected him in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, but he last played during the 2015 season and was involved in multiple off-the-field incidents. He then turned to mixed martial arts and competed on Dana White's Contender Series in 2018 before he earned a UFC deal. 

Serghei Spivac stopped Hardy in the first round at UFC 272 on March 5 in Hardy's last fight for the promotion. Hardy holds a record of 7-5 (one no contest) with six knockouts as a professional. 

"I'm back and ready to knock everyone out in the baddest promotion there is," Hardy said for a statement released by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on Wednesday. "Everyone knows I can knock people out and that's what I'm planning on doing. I can't wait to take the gloves off and Rumble for BKFC." 

BKFC president Dave Feldman added: 

"Heavyweight is one of our deepest divisions and his skill set fits right in. We’ll announce the date, location, and his opponent shortly."