Greg Hardy finishes Dmitrii Smoliakov in the first round to secure his first official UFC win at UFC Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday.
Greg Hardy defeated Dmitrii Smoliakov via TKO, Round 1, 2:15 at UFC Ft. Lauderdale in Sunrise, FL on Saturday, April 27, 2019.
Both men were looking to secure their first win under the UFC banner, but it was XXX who walked away with the honor.
“Feels amazing man,” Hardy said while being interviewed in the Octagon after the fight. “I didn’t get lost in it this time.”
ROUND 1
They touch gloves to start the round. The fighters size each other before Hardy comes forward first. He connected with a right hand but Smoliakov counters with a takedown attempt which Hardy is able to defend. Smoliakov tries for another takedown but Smoliakov gets clipped and backs up again. Hardy gets Smoliakov against the cage briefly before they separate. Hardy lands a head kick and then drops Smoliakov after a flurry of punches. Smoliakov is on the canvas on his back with Hardy landing strikes before landing a hammerfist that knocks Smoliakov out and the referee jumps in to end the fight. Hardy climbs on the cage to celebrate amidst mixed reactions from the crowd.
Hardy was coming off a disastrous UFC debut, where he was disqualified for an illegal blow. Many fans had hoped that the UFC would not re-book Hardy, who is well-known for his alleged domestic violence past, but the promotion re-booked him for his second co-main event billing.
Smoliakov has fought twice for the UFC previously, dropping both bouts then rebounding with a first-round submission win at AC – Aslan Challenge earlier this year.