Greg Hardy was never just another fighter on the roster. When he stepped into the Octagon, he carried the weight of a controversial NFL past and the massive expectations of Dana White, who saw a "freak athlete" capable of shaking up the heavyweight division. But by the time the dust settled on the Greg Hardy UFC record, the numbers told a story of a raw powerhouse who simply couldn't close the technical gap.
He finished his UFC stint with an official record of 4 wins, 5 losses, and 1 no-contest. If you look at his total professional MMA record, it sits at 7-5.
It was a wild ride. Honestly, it was mostly a blur of first-round knockouts—both for and against him. The UFC bet big on the "Prince of War," but the heavyweight elite eventually figured him out.
Breaking Down the Greg Hardy UFC Record
Hardy's path wasn't traditional. He didn't spend years on the regional circuit. He essentially learned to fight in front of millions.
His journey began on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018. He crushed Austen Lane in 57 seconds and Tebaris Gordon in 17 seconds. People were terrified of his power. He looked like a monster. Then came the big stage, and things got weird immediately.
The Chaotic Start
His official UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw ended in a disqualification. He hit Allen Crowder with an illegal knee while Crowder was grounded. It was a rookie mistake that set the tone for a career defined by bizarre moments.
He bounced back with two TKO wins over Dmitrii Smoliakov and Juan Adams. Both fights ended in the first round. At this point, the hype was still very real. He was active, he was dangerous, and he was drawing massive ratings.
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The Inhaler Incident
Then came the fight against Ben Sosoli in October 2019. Hardy won the decision, but the result was overturned to a "No Contest." Why? Because he used an inhaler between rounds.
You can't do that.
The commission was baffled. Hardy claimed he asked permission, but the rules are the rules. It was another strange asterisk on the Greg Hardy UFC record that made fans question if he was ever truly prepared for the professional requirements of the sport.
Facing the Elite
The UFC eventually stopped giving him "gimme" fights. They threw him in with Alexander Volkov on short notice. Volkov is a technician, a giant who knows how to use his reach. Hardy lost a unanimous decision, but he proved he could go three rounds with a top-ten heavyweight. It was arguably the most "respectable" loss of his career.
He followed that with wins over Yorgan De Castro and Maurice Greene. By late 2020, Hardy was 4-2 (1 NC) in the UFC. He was trending toward the rankings.
The Brutal Downfall
The momentum didn't last. The end of the Greg Hardy UFC record is a grim list of three consecutive stoppage losses.
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First was Marcin Tybura. Hardy actually looked good in the first round. He was winning. But his gas tank hit empty, and Tybura took him down and pounded him out in the second.
Then came the Tai Tuivasa fight at UFC 264. This was the peak of the "Bam Bam" era. Hardy clipped Tuivasa and got greedy. He rushed in, looking for the kill, and Tuivasa countered with a left hook that folded Hardy like a lawn chair. It was a 67-second disaster.
Finally, Serghei Spivac put the nail in the coffin at UFC 272 in March 2022. Spivac exposed the grappling deficiency that everyone knew was there. He tossed Hardy around and finished him with ground-and-pound in the first round.
The Final UFC Tally:
- Wins: 4 (Dmitrii Smoliakov, Juan Adams, Yorgan De Castro, Maurice Greene)
- Losses: 5 (Allen Crowder via DQ, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura, Tai Tuivasa, Serghei Spivac)
- No Contest: 1 (Ben Sosoli - the "Inhaler" fight)
Why the Transition Didn't Work
Being an All-Pro defensive end requires explosive power, but it doesn't teach you how to breathe in a clinch. Hardy's athletic pedigree was undeniable, but his "fight IQ" was often missing.
Experts like Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier often pointed out that Hardy relied too much on his athleticism. He didn't have the "layers" to his game. If he couldn't knock you out in five minutes, he became a target. He also struggled with the optics of his career. Fans never really embraced him because of his past domestic violence charges, and the UFC's perceived favoritism only made the "hater" base grow larger.
He was a "Prince of War" who ran out of weapons.
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Life After the Octagon
Since being released from his contract in 2022, Hardy hasn't stopped competing. He moved into professional boxing, where he actually found some early success, including a win over Hasim Rahman Jr. He also experimented with Team Combat League and bare-knuckle fighting.
However, his recent legal troubles in 2025—including an arrest for assault—have once again overshadowed his athletic efforts. It seems the "reinvention" is a work in progress that often takes two steps back for every step forward.
Summary of Stats
If you're looking for the raw data on his UFC tenure, he landed about 4.79 significant strikes per minute with a 50% accuracy rate. His takedown defense sat at 64%, which sounds decent until you realize that when he did get taken down, he rarely got back up.
The Greg Hardy UFC record serves as a cautionary tale for cross-over athletes. Pure power can get you through the door, but the Octagon eventually demands a tax that only years of specialized training can pay.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Compare the Transition: If you want to see how a heavy-hitter should transition, look at the career of Brock Lesnar, who utilized a collegiate wrestling base rather than just raw striking.
- Watch the Tape: To see the "Inhaler Incident" in all its bizarre glory, look up the highlights from UFC on ESPN 6. It remains one of the most unique rule violations in MMA history.
- Track his Boxing: Hardy's striking is better suited for a ring with big gloves where he isn't worried about being taken down. Keep an eye on his heavyweight boxing bouts for a better look at his pure power.