UFC Brooklyn: Greg Hardy suffers first professional loss after DQ

Allen Crowder beat Greg Hardy in a heavyweight fight in the co-main event of UFC Brooklyn.

Allen Crowder defeated Greg Hardy via disqualification (illegal knee strike), Round 2 – 2:28 at UFC Brooklyn on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

Despite a history of domestic violence, UFC President Dana White gave former NFL All-Pro Greg Hardy a second chance. The most controversial fighter on the UFC roster came into the octagon for the first time after recording three first-round knockouts but was handed his first loss by Allen Crowder, after Hardy was disqualified for throwing an illegal knee to a downed Crowder, who was unable to continue.

The Brooklyn crowd loudly voiced their displeasure with the UFC’s decision to let Hardy fight. The crowd booed Hardy as he made his way from the tunnel to the octagon and only booed louder when Hardy was introduced before the fight by Bruce Buffer. After Hardy was disqualified, the crowd chanted “asshole,” at Hardy.

Round 1

Crowder refused to touch gloves with Hardy, shaking his head no. Hardy came out throwing landing big punches with his left and right hand. While neither punch dropped Crowder, they were clearly impactful. Crowder did trade punches with Hardy but did not have the same power as Hardy. The North Carolina native twice shoot for a takedown against Hardy but could not get Hardy down. The third time was the charm for Crowder who was able to take Hardy down and get top position. Hardy started to get up but was planted on his back by Crowder, who took side control. After using the cage to kick up, Hardy was able to get back up. Up against the fence, Crowder went for a guillotine but Hardy was able to get Crowder to the ground and landed two hammer fists. The round ended with Hardy connecting with a big right hand prior to the horn.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 Crowder

Round 2

Hardy was more tentative coming out for the second round, listening to the advice of his corner. The former NFL player landed a nice superman punch but Crowder responded with a solid punch of his own. Crowder did not back down and started talking trash. The North Carolina native dropped his hands and encouraged Hardy to come at him. Hardy did but it was Crowder who won the exchange. After Hardy successfully defended a takedown attempt, Hardy landed an illegal to the side of the head of Crowder, who had one knee on the canvas. Dan Miragliotta immediately ran in and stopped the fight. A very upset Miragliotta immediately said he would disqualify Hardy if Crowder was unable to continue. The doctors looked at Crowder and did not allow him to continue, resulting in the fight ending in a disqualification victory for the North Carolina native.

The crowd loudly chanted “a–hole,” after it was announced that the fight was over.

Outside of being knocked out, this was the worst possible outcome for Hardy, who has to overcome his own history and criminal record. Hardy either did not know the rules or did not care when he landed an illegal knee that instantly ended the fight. While Hardy lost the fight, his one-punch knockout power will likely earn him another fight inside of the octagon.

Crowder entered the fight with a 9-3 record but Saturday was his first fight since Dec. 2, 2017, when he was knocked out by the 10th ranked heavyweight Justin Willis. While Crowder won the fight by disqualification, he did hold his own against Hardy and won the first round. Crowder will get another fight against an unranked heavyweight in his next fight.

UFC Brooklyn took place on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Follow along with FanSided throughout the night for all your live results and highlights.