A former
Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger has joined
Professional Fighters League in an executive capacity.
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The organization announced Wednesday that Dan Hardy will
serve as director of fighter operations for PFL Europe, the new
league that will launch on March 25. Hardy’s role will include
identifying talent in the region and ensuring the well being and
development of fighters. He will also working alongside global PFL
president of fighter operations Ray Sefo on
matchmaking decisions.
“I’m excited to be taking on the role of director of fighter
operations for PFL Europe. This will allow me to bring together the
best MMA prospects from around the region, and give each of them an
opportunity to establish themselves as world class talent,” Hardy
said in a release. “PFL Europe will bring stability to the
opportunities available to European MMA athletes, and I’m honoured
to be able to play a role in that process.”
A native of Nottingham, England, Hardy compiled a 25-10 career MMA
record from 2004 to 2012. He went 6-4 during a 10-bout UFC stint,
notably dropping a five-round verdict against Georges St.
Pierre in a welterweight championship clash at UFC 111. “The
Outlaw” has since transitioned to an analyst role and is also
well-known for his fight breakdowns on YouTube.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Dan Hardy to
the Professional Fighters League as the director of fighter
operations for PFL Europe ahead of start of our historic inaugural
season on March 25 in Newcastle,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “PFL
Europe is the first of many regional leagues we are creating to
identify and develop the next generation of MMA stars as well as
grow the sport around the world. Dan’s expertise gathered from his
accomplished career and his eye for talent will be invaluable as we
begin this exciting chapter in our company’s history.”
PFL Europe is the organization’s first international league and
will hold quarterly events beginning with a card in Newcastle,
England, on March 25. It features 32 European fighters from 14
countries competing in four weight classes. At the end of the 2023
PFL Europe campaign, champions from four division will be crowned,
with each earning a $100,000 prize. Those champions will also have
the chance to earn a spot on the PFL global roster. Fighters slated
to compete at PFL Europe include Dakota
Ditcheva, Simeon
Powell, Ali Taleb,
Connor
Hughes, Dom
Wooding, Francesco
Nuzzi and Frans
Mlambo, to name a few.