Former Cowboys defensive end, Greg Hardy prepares for his biggest MMA fight yet

Former embattled NFL defensive end Greg Hardy hasn’t been heard from since the offers from NFL teams dried up. In the NFL’s void, Hardy has taken up mixed martial arts to pass his time and the results have been glaringly positive. Hardy won his first two heavyweight bouts by knockout in under a minute and 36 seconds.

According to MMAFighting.com, Hardy is slated for a major fight at Legacy Fighting Alliance 33 on February 12 against Ryan Chester (2-1). Hardy is still fighting as an amateur, however, he is moving up the ranks quickly and may wind up on UFC or Bellator before he gets another chance in the NFL.

Of course, this mixed martial arts career may go by the wayside if Hardy gets his demands met by the XFL. Interestingly enough, LFA 33 takes place in Dallas, which is the site of his NFL flameout.

Hardy played six seasons in the NFL, accumulated 40 sacks and was named to a Pro Bowl in 2013. However, a 2014 guilty bench trial verdict on an assault charge filed by his ex-girlfriend, and the disclosure of the violent details at a time when domestic violence issues were at the NFL’s forefront, made him a pariah.

Following one controversial season with the Cowboys, he became too toxic for NFL teams and has been unsigned since 2015.

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DJ Dunson is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at dunsnchecksin@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or Facebook.