FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy hopes to eventually fight in the UFC, and his mixed martial arts career got off to an impressive start Saturday night.
Hardy (1-0) was victorious in his amateur heavyweight debut, scoring a first-round knockout in 32 seconds over fellow amateur Joe Hawkins (0-1) at "Rise Of A Warrior 21." Hardy landed a stiff right hand that floored Hawkins early, and then followed with a series of punches before the referee stopped the fight.
Entering the cage sporting a white skeleton mask, Hardy, 29, showed much of the elite athleticism and strength he used to display on the football field.