Dan Hardy set to box Diego Sanchez on Ricky Hatton undercard in July
Dan Hardy is back.
Hardy has hinted at fighting again for quite some time and now the Brit is set to return on July 2 in a boxing match against fellow UFC veteran Diego Sanchez. The two will meet on the undercard of Ricky Hatton’s return at the Manchester Arena in England, it was revealed on Thursday.
The UFC Veterans Collide đź‘€
Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) is set to box Diego Sanchez (@DiegoSanchezUFC) at The Manchester Arena on 2 July. pic.twitter.com/pUQugNQIyW
— Lewis Simpson (@LewisSimpsonMMA) April 21, 2022
Hardy has talked about fighting again for years and in late 2020, he and Sanchez went back and forth talking about a fight happening.
You’re a funny guy, @DiegoSanchezUFC… I can’t help but feel bad laughing at you though, when it’s clear that you need a serious psychological evaluation. Was calling me out your own idea, or did you get help from that mystical yoga teacher guy that you keep in your pocket?
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 5, 2020
“If @danhardymmma wants his Combat death to be by me come on Dan just ask I’ll give you the warriors death you desire,” Sanchez wrote on Twitter.
Hardy then followed it up with: “You’re a funny guy, @DiegoSanchezUFC… I can’t help but feel bad laughing at you though, when it’s clear that you need a serious psychological evaluation. Was calling me out your own idea, or did you get help from that mystical yoga teacher guy that you keep in your pocket.”
As of right now, there are no details on if this fight between Sanchez and Hardy will be a pro boxing fight or what weight Hardy and Sanchez will compete at.
Dan Hardy has not fought since September 2012 when he beat Amir Sadollah by decision. He was then forced to retire due to a medical issue but he has now been cleared and got his UFC release so he could pursue options elsewhere. In his career, he fought Georges St-Pierre for the title as well as he holds notable wins over Mike Swick, Daniel Weichel, and Duane Ludwig.
Diego Sanchez, meanwhile, fought in the main event of Eagle FC 46 in March against Kevin Lee when he lost by decision. Prior to that, he suffered a decision loss to Jake Matthews which served as his final UFC fight as he was released from the promotion just before his fight with Donald Cerrone last May.
