Dan Hardy Identifies Nate Diaz As The "Ideal" Opponent Ahead Of Octagon Return

Jeff Bottari Zuffa LLC
Hardy has told of his intention to end his almost eight-year hiatus from the sort recently.

One-time welterweight title challenger Dan 'The Outlaw' Hardy, has told of his intentions to face off with the hugely popular Nate Diaz, upon his expected Octagon return. The Nottingham native spoke with ESPN's Brett Okamoto recently, where he outlined a possible opponent to welcome him from his almost eight-year absence from active mixed-martial arts competition. On an episode of Joe Rogan's 'JRE MMA Show' last month, the 37-year-old confirmed how he intended to re-enter the USADA testing pool in the coming months which would allow him to make his promotional return. Hardy was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in 2013, a condition where the heart may beat abnormally due to an extra electrical ulse between the heart chambers, but has never affected his career in the sport according to him and was medically cleared to compete in October last year.

Diaz who has a November 2nd. UFC 244 headlining date with the always entertaining Jorge Masvidal already occupying his mind, has been identified by Hardy as an ideal welcoming party. "That is a good question, I daydream about that most days (the possible opponent upon his return). Honestly, right now, the guy that everyone wants to fight is Nate Diaz. That's the ideal pick."

Hardy, who last featured in a successful hometown outing against Amir Sadollah, is a former Cage Warriors welterweight champion and entered his 170-pound title tilt against Georges St-Pierre off the back of four straight wins in the UFC. Hardy has since featured on the other side of the Octagon, establishing himself as a talented color-commentator and also features alongside John Gooden on the UFC's 'Inside the Octagon' feature where he breaks down upcoming matchups.

When posed the question of how a possible clash with the Stockont native Diaz would play out, Hardy had this to say. "Oh, I'd eat his lead leg u until he starts falling onto my punches and then I'd knock him out."

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