The former football star has his sights set of the UFC Heavyweight Title, but would also like to become a great American heavyweight as well.
?Honestly, at this point we?re going to fight, we?re going to look for that UFC heavyweight belt,? Hardy told MMA Junkie. ?We?re going to go for the Zuffa Boxing title, the WBC (title). I want to be the great American heavyweight. I want to be the fighting heavyweight of the world. America needs one of those, and I can be that guy for them.?
Hardy is currently 3-0-0 as a professional MMA fighter, with two of those victories coming in Dana White?s Tuesday Night Contender Series.
Some may question whether or not Hardy even belongs in the UFC, but Hardy says he has earned a spot with the promotion.
?I belong here,? Hardy said. ?I live for this. I just can?t wait to get in there. This is what I live for. We haven?t seen much of (Crowder) other than his film and don?t know much about his story, but he?s a UFC guy. This is my UFC opportunity, so it feels great to me. I?m excited to throw that first punch.?
UFC Fight Night Brooklyn takes place on Saturday, January 19 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.