As the matchmaker of Professional Fighters League’s Europe series,
former fighter Dan Hardy
feels a tremendous sense of pride when scouting a diamond in the
rough. Dan
Hardy has been instrumental to the growth of the PFL,
especially in the European market. As PFL Europe shipped 2023
champions Jakob Nedoh
and Dakota
Ditcheva to the PFL global season in 2024, matchmaker–and
commentator—Hardy has established a revolving door of rising
talents on the Europe roster. Ahead of
PFL Glasgow, Hardy spoke with Sherdog about what to expect in
the semifinals and how he views his role with the organization.

In the main event of PFL Europe 3 Playoffs, Scottish submission
specialist Steven Ray
will face Welsh veteran Lewis Long in
a showcase matchup. On Thursday, Ray
mentioned he’d love to work with the PFL after his career is
done. That fighter-turned-worker transition is one that Hardy has
experienced himself, and hopes more fighters will make that
switch.

“Yeah, 100% we were just talking about this with Paul Craig,”
Hardy noted. “He was saying the same thing, like, ‘what do we do
afterwards [fighting]?’ We need these fighters to stay in the sport
of mixed martial arts. We need more fighters more involved in every
level of the sport. Mainly because they know what the fighters are
going through and they know what these weeks are like for them. To
have the likes of Stevie Ray after his active career, it just makes
sense. Keep these guys close to the organizations that help build
them.”

With the second season of PFL Europe hurtling towards the
championship finals in December, Hardy cannot help but look back on
the young stars already blooming from the league, including
unbeaten flyweight Ditcheva. The company man is proud of the
successes of fighters he has helped bring into the league.

“It’s representing the fighters; it’s representing the sport of
mixed martial arts. Creating opportunities for these fighters to
chase their dreams, make a career out of their hobby, strive for
greatness, and inspire the people around them. That’s really what
it’s about for me. The PFL, the platform, has given me the
opportunity to do this but it always comes back to the fighters,”
Hardy remarked.

He continued, “We got to make sure the fighters are well looked
after and well respected, moving through a career that makes a lot
of sense. Keep winning, pick up the European belt, move on to the
global roster, etc. Have a path laid out for you so you can focus
on being the best you can be. There’s not the politics of calling
out this person, trying to get this top-15 opponent, that can be
very discouraging. It’s a clear path here.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s semifinals in Glasgow, Scotland, Hardy
expects a wild night of action. Even with several bouts seeing wide
betting lines, Hardy believes the matchups are closer on paper than
they appear.

“We’ve got a card that’s stacked with even matchups. This is what I
love about these cards, I take pride in putting a fighter in a
matchup where, yes, they can win, but they can also definitely lose
it. That’s what makes it most interesting for the fans,” the man
known as “The Outlaw” concluded.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger