Despite String Of Defeats, Dan Hardy Enjoying Life UFC Has Given Him

Source: MMAJunkie

Dan Hardy understands that the UFC has made him a household name - not only in his native country, but around the world.

The brash Brit, who has lost four consecutive fights in the UFC, was given a reprieve from being released after his latest loss, as UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta went to his defense.

Hardy (23-10) spoke with MMAjunkie.com Radio recently about his career, his current downward spiral and what might be in his future.

"To be honest, every day is a little bit surreal for me," Hardy said. "Living in (Las) Vegas and fighting in the UFC and being able to walk through the streets and being recognized, it's very good. I've got an action figure, and I'm on video games.

"Every day is surreal."

Hardy made quite the impression when he debuted in the UFC in 2008, winning his first four fights with the organization, including a title-eliminator against Mike Swick in England.

But, current UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre controlled the heavy-handed native of Nottingham, England and secured a decision victory at UFC 111. What followed were losses to Carlos Condit by knockout, Anthony Johnson via decision and Chris Lytle by submission.

"First and foremost, I'm in there to win, and it is difficult, especially being in this situation where I'm on a run of losses at the moment, which is a very, very alien circumstance to me," Hardy said. "I've never been here before. That's very difficult to deal with, and it makes me a lot more philosophical about life and about my situation.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. It's kind of matured me a lot in a way, being in this situation. But the thing that's helping me through is that support I'm getting from the fans and obviously the UFC being very supportive of what I'm doing is always nice."

Hardy said many of his Twitter followers ask him constantly to fight Josh Koscheck saying, "I get probably five tweets a day about me fighting Koscheck. They hope I'm going to fight him soon."

He has also moved to Las Vegas to train with a new camp, which includes heavyweight Roy Nelson.

But, Hardy remains a very simple man and fighter.

"I still see myself as the kid that does tae kwon do just to do competition," Hardy said. "I never really grew up from that point. I think I stopped maturing at that point. Everything else is kind of surreal after that.

"Every day is a very odd experience, but it's exciting. Every day's got something different."