Dan Hardy Pushing For A Fight With UFC Hall Of Famer Matt Hughes

Source: ESPN

Former No. 1 welterweight contender Dan Hardy is stuck in a four-fight losing streak, avoiding the UFC chopping block thanks to UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta and "The Outlaw's" all-out style. Now, while taking extra time to focus his attention back to the basics, Hardy is making a request for his next fight.

"I've mentioned Matt Hughes to Lorenzo. He's been on a rough streak as well recently, he'll look at me and see I've lost four fights and think he can outwrestle me," said Hardy, in a recent interview with ESPN.com. "I also genuinely don't like him. I need a fight to get up for and I'd take great pleasure in smashing him in the face."

Hardy wouldn't go into detail on where his hatred for Hughes, a former UFC champion and Hall of Famer comes from, but said, "It's some knowledge I have about him away from the sport. Even students around where he lives bet against him."

Since winning seven consecutive fights at one point to secure a shot against UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, Hardy has lost to Carlos Condit, Anthony Johnson and Chris Lytle, along with a defeat against GSP. Hughes, meanwhile, was knocked out by Josh Koscheck earlier this year, asking for an extended break before deciding if he would even fight again.

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