Getty Image / Jeff Bottari
This weekend’s Misfits Boxing card has had a major shakeup. The card’s most significant bout was originally supposed to feature former UFC Champion Vitor Belfort taking on Hasim Rahman Jr. Unfortunately, Belfort had to withdraw from the fight because of an illness, leaving a vacancy at the top of this card.
Despite the short notice, Misfits Boxing was able to find a replacement with his own history as a UFC competitor.
They revealed that former NFL player and UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy would be the individual stepping in to take on Rahman Jr.
🚨 CARD UPDATE: GREG HARDY TO FACE HASIM RAHMAN JR 💥
This Saturday @_HasimRahmanJr will face Greg Hardy on @DAZNBoxing as Misfits Boxing comes to TEXAS 🇺🇸 @SauerlandBros | @MamsTaylor | #MisfitsBoxing pic.twitter.com/miNTvT9AEt
— Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) November 15, 2022
Hardy spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys in the NFL, but off-field issues led to an early end to his football career. A couple of years after playing his last NFL game, Hardy decided to try his hand at a new sport.
Hardy made the switch to MMA and after putting together 3 wins as an amateur, he was given a shot on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. After scoring knockouts in 2 Contender Series fights, he was given a developmental UFC contract. He needed just one more finish to get his first UFC fight, a move many fans didn’t support.
His UFC tenure was filled with controversy. He lost his first fight by disqualification after throwing an illegal knee. He later used an inhaler between round in a fight. Overall, he put together a disappointing 4-5 record in the organization and was released being finished in each of his past 3 fights.
Now he’ll take on Rahman Jr, who is best known for his fight against Jake Paul that almost happened earlier this year.
Hardy will have to hope his NFL-level athleticism is a bigger factor in this fight than it was in his UFC career or it could be a long night for him.