Dan Hardy has come forward with a statement addressing his UFC commentating release.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Dan Hardy was relieved from his duties as a UFC commentator following an incident with an employee. The only details that were shared in the initial report from The Wrestling Observer is that the employee was a female and that it was an argument of some sort. Hardy clarified that the argument stemmed from a disagreement about a missed opportunity and promised to issue a full statement at a later date. Well, that day has arrived and the statement, in full, reads as follows:
Apologies for my silence on this current situation. I’m still chasing answers privately, and it’s taking some time. This is what I can say, at this point.
It was a verbal disagreement between myself and a member of the UFC staff. It was forthright but not aggressive, and specific to work.
I have apologized to the individual, for the embarrassment they must have felt, as a small handful of our colleagues from the British media were present. We were taking a brief break from recording UFC 258 content, a few hours after the Holloway Kattar event had concluded, when the disagreement occurred. The conversation could have definitely taken place in a better location, and under better circumstances.
BT Sport have not fired me, and are still keen on working with me in some capacity. I’m appreciative of their interest in a continued collaboration. Thank you all for the support in the comments across their accounts. They are paying attention and making efforts, although there is pressure to push me out entirely.
The Raptors were quarantined for three weeks in order to attend UFC 259, but had their credentials revoked, so we’re diversifying our content a little, and appreciate your subs and support.
It has been suggested that a reconciliation between myself and the UFC is possible, and of course, I hope that is the case. I have yet to speak to, or hear from Dana, and get a better understanding of his perspective on the situation.
The result of their brief and private investigation has left me with little closure, and hope that at some point I’m able to get more information of what I’ve actually been accused.
I’m forever a fan of the UFC, and dedicated in service of MMA. I appreciate all of your kind words and support, both privately and publicly, and have lots of exciting offers to consider.
Dan Hardy remains under contract as a fighter and has expressed a desire to fight again, preferably against Nick Diaz. It remains uncertain, if not doubtful, that this will happen considering his near-decade layoff, the timing of the request, and the fact that he still has a heart condition that prompted his retirement in the first place.
Stay tuned here at MMANews.com if any further developments on this story or Dan Hardy’s MMA future becomes available.
