If anyone came into UFC on ESPN+1 lugging around some baggage, it was Greg Hardy. After all, the ex-NFLer is no longer a pro football player anymore because of some nasty domestic violence issues. But he’s won quick and violently on Dana White’s “Tuesday Night Contender Series”, so he we are.
Standing opposite him in the Octagon was Allen Crowder, a total nobody who had the crowd’s love simply because Hardy is a villain.
And in the opening seconds, it was the villain throwing heat and the hero taking lumps. But in a scant few seconds Hardy was spent, and it was Crowder’s turn to take control – which he did by getting Hardy down and working him over a bit. Crowder threw his advantage away with a guillotine attempt, but he’s no salty veteran, and mistakes happen.
Hardy taken down for the first time! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/jOfqClVGcI
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
Round 2 saw the two going at it on the feet, and when it was clear that Hardy had nothing in the tank, Crowder began verbally taunting the heck out of him.
Crowder talking to Hardy in the Octagon, then lands a flurry of punches on him! Wow! #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/Iaoq01D96X
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
And then Hardy did the most Hardy thing ever: Crowder wound up on one knee in a scramble, and while standing above him, Hardy cracked him with a knee to the dome.
Not the way he wanted it, but @AllenCrowder6 gets the win by DQ. #UFCBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/tbztbGEFA2
— UFC (@ufc) January 20, 2019
Yup, a totally illegal technique, and when Crowder couldn’t continue, referee Dan Miragliotta disqualified Hardy without blinking.