Dan Hardy breaks silence on UFC exit and confirms row with staff member but insists BT Sport job is safe
DAN HARDY has broken his silence on his UFC exit and insisted his job with BT Sport has remained safe.
The Outlaw was relieved of his commentator duties by Dana White’s promotion following a disagreement with a staff member on Fight Island.
The former welterweight title challenger had been part of the UFC‘s commentary and analysis team since his enforced hiatus from the octagon.
In a statement, Hardy lifted the lid on his exit and shared his belief that ‘reconciliation’ with the MMA company is possible.
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He said: “Apologies for my silence on this current situation. I’m still chasing answers privately, and it’s taking some time. This is what I can say, at this point.
“It was a verbal disagreement between myself and a member of the UFC staff. It was forthright but not aggressive, and specific to work.
“I have apologized to the individual, for the embarrassment they must have felt, as a small handful of our colleagues from the British media were present.
“The conversation could have definitely taken place in a better location, and under better circumstances.
“BT Sport have not fired me, and are still keen on working with me in some capacity.
“They are paying attention and making efforts, although there is pressure to push me out entirely.
“It has been suggested that a reconciliation between myself and the UFC is possible, and of course, I hope that is the case.
“I have yet to speak to, or hear from Dana, and get a better understanding of his perspective on the situation.
“The result of their brief and private investigation has left me with little closure, and hope that at some point I’m able to get more information of what I’ve actually been accused.
“I’m forever a fan of the UFC, and dedicated in service of MMA. I appreciate all of your kind words and support, both privately and publicly, and have lots of exciting offers to consider.”
Dan Hardy's full statement
“Apologies for my silence on this current situation. I’m still chasing answers privately, and it’s taking some time. This is what I can say, at this point.
“It was a verbal disagreement between myself and a member of the UFC staff. It was forthright but not aggressive, and specific to work.
“I have apologized to the individual, for the embarrassment they must have felt, as a small handful of our colleagues from the British media were present. We were taking a brief break from recording UFC 258 content, a few hours after the Holloway Kattar event had concluded, when the disagreement occurred. The conversation could have definitely taken place in a better location, and under better circumstances.
“BT Sport have not fired me, and are still keen on working with me in some capacity. I’m appreciative of their interest in a continued collaboration. Thank you all for the support in the comments across their accounts. They are paying attention and making efforts, although there is pressure to push me out entirely.
“The Raptors were quarantined for three weeks in order to attend UFC 259, but had their credentials revoked, so we’re diversifying our content a little, and appreciate your subs and support.
“It has been suggested that a reconciliation between myself and the UFC is possible, and of course, I hope that is the case. I have yet to speak to, or hear from Dana, and get a better understanding of his perspective on the situation.
“The result of their brief and private investigation has left me with little closure, and hope that at some point I’m able to get more information of what I’ve actually been accused.
“I’m forever a fan of the UFC, and dedicated in service of MMA. I appreciate all of your kind words and support, both privately and publicly, and have lots of exciting offers to consider.
“With respect and gratitude,
“The Outlaw”
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Hardy was forced to stop competing in 2013 when he was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for small periods of time.
Yet in October 2018, the Outlaw, 38, revealed he’d been given the all-clear to compete again.
Fan favourite Hardy became the first Brit to challenge for UFC gold 11 years ago when he unsuccessfully challenged Georges St-Pierre at UFC 111.