After Getting Fired For Mistreating Female UFC Employee, Dan Hardy Gets a Job in PFL

The UFC has had its fair share of controversies with its stable of athletes. Right from the issues of fighter pay to denying an insurance post-career, the MMA media has raised numerous concerns when it comes to how the promotion treats the roster at hand. Dan Hardy comes to mind when thinking about a sudden layoff performed without much noise.

A former welterweight title challenger, Dan Hardy has faced some of the top names in the division during his prime. He has fought the likes of Duane Ludwig, Carlos Condit, the late Anthony Johnson, and the 170-pound GOAT, GSP. With a record of 25-10, the 40-year-old has had a decent career on the grandest stage of them all.

Introducing @PFLEurope's Director Of Fighters Operations. The 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 @danhardymma pic.twitter.com/rIkQmuZY9l

— PFL Europe (@PFLEurope) March 15, 2023

On March 15th, PFL Europe’s official Twitter made the following post. As per the post, Hardy will be joining the team as the DFO (Director of Fighters Operations). However, this move doesn’t surprise many, since PFL has managed to become one of the top competitors of the UFC. The Englishman will take on the role of a scout, commentator, and caretaker for new fighters entering the promotion.

Why was Dan Hardy fired by UFC?

It was the January of 2021 when Dan Hardy’s life would take a sudden turn, this time for the worse. The UFC held a Fight Night in Fight Island, Abu Dhabi. The event would be headlined by top featherweights Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar, with the former putting up a striking clinic on his opponent.

Dan was working as an analyst and a commentator with the promotion at the time when he suddenly noticed something. He overheard president Dana White speaking to an official, declaring that Kattar has to be sent to the hospital as soon as the fight ends. Hardy, however, accused Dana of staging this entire scenario just for the promotion to appear better in the public eye.

White, when asked to clear the air around this, went on to share the reason Dan was fired from all his duties for the promotion. He said –

“I don’t give a f**k what anybody thinks, so, you don’t have to worry about me staging anything, and I definitely don’t give a f**k what Dan Hardy thinks.”

He further elaborated, “Dan Hardy’s a guy that was mistreating a woman who worked here, and that’s why he was fired. So obviously he’s bitter, and I’m assuming that’s why he would say something like that.”

Despite it being over two years since the unfortunate incident, Dan and fans alike have expressed a bitter taste in their mouths regarding Dana’s harsh decision. Dana will never allow Hardy in the company again, at least until as long as the 53-year-old stays the president.

What do you think of Dan Hardy’s latest move to join the PFL? Will we ever see him compete again inside the cage before he calls it a career? Let us know in the comments down below.