Brad ' One Punch' PickettDan Hardy Interview - Pre Fight with George St Pierre
DAN HARDY pre fight interview against George St. Pierre
Words and photography by Lee Whitehead.
Dan Hardy is on the eve of greatness. Win or lose, his upcoming encounter with Welterweight kingpin George St. Pierre will mark him out as the first British Mixed Martial Arts competitor to garner a title shot in the UFC. With a professional fighting record of 23-6-0, and a path of evolution that is far from over, Hardy provides Spiked! Magazine with an insight into the man behind the charge.
Spiked! Magazine:You have a background in traditional martial arts, how did you make the transition to MMA?
Dan Hardy:it was just a natural progression through different types of competition. I was always looking for the next challenge, and in combat sports, all roads end up at the same place – MMA. After Thai boxing, it was the only option, so I began working on my ground game.
S.M:Tell us about your path to the title, from an aspiring martial artist, to joining the UFC, and now earning the opportunity to challenge one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters - Georges St. Pierre?
D.H:Well, I turned pro in 2004, and had loads of fights in the first couple of years. Then I started to travel for fights to try and get some solid wins on my record. After the UFC picked me up in May 2008, I’ve been training and travelling full time - and winning my fights. Four fights into my UFC career and four wins, (so they) set me up with the ultimate test.
S.M: How are preparations going for GSP?
D.H:Awesome! There is a real buzz of excitement in the camp. Everyone is looking forward to the fight, excited for me, and for the team.
S.M: Psychology forms as much a part of your game as the physical elements - like a warfare tactician - so how has this element of your game evolved?
D.H:it’s not something I have to work on really, it just sort of developed through banter during training sessions and winding my opponents up earlier on in my career. I just enjoy writing those chequesthat I have to try and cash on fight night. It keeps me entertained in the build up to the fight too.
S.M: What's your take on the layman fight fan who says you’re not worthy of a title shot?
D.H:I understand that they may feel that other fighters in the division may be more worthy of a shot, but they have already been beaten by GSP. Do they really want to see those fights again? The way I see it, you have to work your way up to a title shot, by consistently beating whoever is in front of you. If you get your shot and lose, you join the back of the line and start working again.
S.M: What are you feeling in that last 2-hour window before walking to the cage?
D.H:I’m just waiting, hoping the time will pass faster. At that point, the work is done and whatever will be, will be. I just get my mind ready, prepare myself to give it everything I have, and if needs be, go down fighting. By then, in my head I’m focused and ready, thinking about all of the hard work I have done.
S.M: You train as part of the UK's most successful MMA teams, what is the competition level like between you guys in training?
D.H:Very high! As you can imagine in a gym full of top-level fighters, we have the top tier guys that are the core of the team, we are all on a similar level, so we all push each other in every session. Then we have the second tier guys that come in and spar and roll with us. It’s always good to get a fresh guy with some new skills in there to mix things up.
S.M: What would you say to anyone looking to get involved in MMA?
D.H:Just get in the gym and get started - even if you find that you don’t enjoy the whole sport, you can focus on a particular area of it such as striking, grappling, etc.
S.M: Outside of the financial or career opportunities, what has MMA given to you as a person?
D.H:The confidence to go out and get what I want, to travel and meet new people and to see the world. I have experienced things that I may have never without MMA.
S.M: How much time do you get to learn new stuff when you are continually training for a fight?
D.H:My learning time is between fights. That’s when I get the time to really focus on improving and learning new things. During camp, it’s about sharpening the weapons and preparing for my opponent.
S.M: What would you say to someone who is dismissive or ignorant of the discipline of the sport?
D.H:Come and spend a day with our team and you will change your mind.
Quick Fire Questions:
Favorite fighter past and present? Ramon Dekkers
Biggest inspiration? My parents
Favouriteperson to spar with? Jimmy Wallhead
Pound-for-pound best fighter? Anderson Silva
Favouriteplace to fight? The UK!
Goals for 2010? This year’s goal is the same as the last, three solid wins.
Guilty Pleasure? I always say cookies but I have several. I am watching Looney Toons right now - I guess that would be one!
Pet hate? Bad drivers, the sound of people chewing, slackers...
KO or Submission? KO every time
Any last words? That sounds pretty threatening!
For further information on Dan Hardy check out his website at www.danhardymma.com
QUICK LINKS
COPYRIGHT © SPIKED ACTION SPORTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
'SPIKED' and the 'SPIKED' logo are registered trademarks of SPIKED Extreme Ltd
Website designed by ATHLETE built by Pavilion Web
