Greg Hardy has not received any interest from NFL teams since the end of last season, so the former Dallas Cowboys defensive end has decided to pursue a career change.
He’s going to try his luck in the Octagon.
Ariel Helwani of MMA.com reports that Hardy is putting his football career on hold to focus on mixed martial arts. The 28-year-old has been training in the Dallas area for several months, and his representatives claim several promotions have already expressed interest in signing him.
“I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career,” Hardy told Helwani. “I’m going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that.”
Hardy was one of the most talented defensive linemen in the NFL, but his off-field issues derailed his career. While the Cowboys tried to give him a chance to prove he had changed, Hardy was reportedly a locker room distraction and became virtually unemployable after disturbing details of his domestic violence case emerged.
Hardy’s future NFL prospects became even dimmer last month when he was arrested for possession of cocaine, though he claimed the drugs were not his by giving police one of the lamest excuses you will ever hear.
“I’m fully committed to being as successful as I can be in this sport,” Hardy said.
At approximately 285 pounds, Hardy plans to fight in the heavyweight division. He is hoping his MMA debut will come sometime in 2017.
