An MMA Thanksgiving: 2019 All-Turkey Team

Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration

Greg Hardy

No matter where Hardy goes, controversy never seems to be far behind. Such was the case on Oct. 18 in Boston, where the former NFL star faced Ben Sosoli at UFC on ESPN 6.

Hardy was initially awarded a 29-28 unanimous decision by all three cageside judges, as his size, length and athleticism provided the difference. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound heavyweight kept Sosoli at a safe distance with power punches and devastating kicks to the inside and outside of his lead leg. More than once he knocked the Australian off-balance with kicks, showing further development of his skills. As has often been the case with Hardy, the car veered off the road. Exhibiting visible signs of fatigue, he was reportedly allowed to use an inhaler in between the second and third rounds. After the event had concluded, the commission stated that the inspector who cleared Hardy to use his inhaler did not have the authority to do so, and the fight was overturned to a no-contest.

Three weeks later, the American Top Team representative made an ill-advised decision to accept a short-notice opportunity to meet former Bellator MMA heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov in the UFC Fight Night 163 co-main event. The 6-foot-7 Volkov used his length and experience, stood his ground and connected with stiff jabs and kicks, turning what was a competitive match after five minutes into a rout at the CSKA Arena in Moscow.

Hardy kicked off his uneven 2019 campaign in January, when he was disqualified after delivering an illegal knee to Allen Crowder at UFC Fight Night 143. By year’s end, the “Prince of War” -- who had been chased out of the NFL by horrifying domestic violence allegations -- had done nothing to improve his tarnished reputation.

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