by Dan Hardy
My journey through martial arts was a little more rigorous and demanding than some, but each obstacle I faced forced me to learn, question and evolve. Sweating and bleeding and challenging myself was a big part of my development as a person. Whatever comes next, I at least hope that I have the courage and wisdom to make the right decision at the right time and keep moving forward. My love for the martial arts will drive me to become a better fighter and a better analyst and, regardless of which path I eventually choose, I will continue to improve myself every day.
As this book that you hold in your hands was coming together, I had a constant concern that many of the people that have played a pivotal role in my life would not get the appreciation they deserve within these pages. The truth is it would be impossible to give due credit to everyone that has ever assisted me as I have developed as a martial artist and as a person, but I need to try and quickly cover as many as possible.
My gratitude goes out to all of the coaches, trainers, senseis, shifus, masters, mentors and teammates that have guided me along the way. The very nature of martial arts is to share knowledge and hope that the next generation can improve it in some way. I know I have benefited greatly from this philosophy. I am also grateful to have fought through the Fertitta years and will always have a lot of appreciation for what Frank, Lorenzo, Dana White and Joe Silva have done for the sport. They invested a lot at the outset and we have all gained from the gamble they took on the early UFC brand. The same goes for every single fighter that has stepped onto the canvas in the Octagon and made their own contribution to the history of the sport. It is not an easy path to walk when for every champion that graces our world, thousands fall painfully short.
Finally, and most importantly, I must give thanks to my family. To my parents who sacrificed so much and worked so hard, and to my two sets of strong and wonderful grandparents. To my grandad Ian for his mellow and somewhat mischievous nature and his penchant for silly costumes, football and long walks in foreign countries. To my nanna Barbara, for her toughness in the face of, well, anything. Her ability to fix, repair, make-do, and figure out the solution to every possible problem that a grandson could present was second to none. To my nanna Doreen with her quiet and caring support and the newly found adventurous side of her character that saw her fly to Vegas at eighty years of age. And to my grandad Derek, my anchor in martial arts and the person that best represented the qualities of loyalty, consistency and hard work. He remains unsurpassable many years after he left us. As much as the martial arts gave to me, none of it would have been possible if it weren’t for every person that has guided me safely along the way. I am truly grateful to each and every one of you.
PICTURE SECTION
Grandad and I at my Christening, outside Holy Trinity Church in Clifton on 24/10/82.
With my dad at the top of Thorpe Cloud in Derbyshire, about three years old.
Keeping a close eye on my new little sister, Gemma, while my grandad holds her for the first time.
After my first Taekwondo grading, receiving a double pass to yellow belt.
Mick Rowley cornering me at my first Taekwondo tournament as a black belt. I was fortunate enough to have a great martial artist, teacher, cornerman and friend to guide me through my early years as a fighter.
Master Long (left) and Master Wei (right) on my last day of training in China. On the training ground where most of our practice was spent…
…unless the weather was bad, then we would all crowd into the training hall. The heavy weight bench that Master Long lifted is bottom left.
Paul Daley and I backstage at Extreme Brawl 7, in Bracknell, UK. This was my debut fight and I was so impatient I couldn’t hold still. It was good to have Paul there to share the experience with me and he always gave me strength, even if sometimes he’d get me too riled up!
Owen Comrie at Majestik in Nottingham, after a training session for one of my early professional fights. He was in my corner for the majority of my Muay Thai, Kickboxing and MMA fights, and his knowledge lead to many of my victories
My grandparents Ian and Barbara, after my revenge fight against Diego Gonzalez, at Cagewarriors in Coventry.
The core of Rough House for many years. We shared sweat, blood, tears and a lot of laughs, and I consider every one of them family. From left to right: Jimmy Wallhead, Dean Amasinger, Ollie Richardson and Andre Winner.
My Dad invading the Cagewarriors cage in Nottingham, after my TKO victory over Alex Izidro. The first time my parents came to one of my professional fights, and hid in the back so I didn’t know they where there. Probably my favourite fight photo.
Team Rough House after a successful night of scrapping. Left to right, top then bottom: Paul Barton, Nathan Leverton, Tamai Harding, Dean Amasinger, Owen Comrie, Kristoff Swinoga, Mahmood Besharate, Steve Tetley and Jimmy Wallhead.
Backstage at Harvey Haddon Sport Stadium in Nottingham, after my win over Manuel Garcia, with Mum, Dad and Gemma.
That unanimous decision loss to Forrest Petz…
…and the shock on my face when they gave my Cagewarriors title to the guy with the broken face.
One of two light-welterweight bouts I fought at 73kgs (160lbs) which was the PRIDE lightweight limit. A lead left hook against Izidro. I remember feeling very fast at this weight.
The final ceremony at the end of my first trip to Peru. Don Ignacio blowing Mapacho smoke over me for cleansing and protection. He is a powerful teacher and I was fortunate enough to have my great friend Beto with me to translate his words. Credit also goes to Beto for capturing this moment for me to share with you.
The finishing touches of my knockout victory over Chad Reiner, the win that got me my UFC contract.
UFC 95 at the O2 Arena, London. One of the most surreal moments of my career, walking up to the front doors and seeing my name in lights.
With my proud parents after a successful first round knockout over Rory Markham.
One of the best punches I’ve ever thrown.
Great face-offs don’t always turn into great fights, but Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson was one of my toughest and most frustrating contests.
Mike Swick showing a lot of heart in our three-round fight for a shot at Georges St-Pierre. He took some big punches and elbows and would not go down. Tough dude.
The elbow in round three was what really sealed the deal on my split decision win over Marcus Davis. I’m glad this one lived up to the hype and trash talk. Definitely a big turning point in my career.
Georges St-Pierre. An educational twenty-five minutes with one of the greatest champions the sport has seen. It was an honour and I just wish I knew then what I know now so I would have had more to offer in the fight.
The infamous armbar escape. Stubbornness, determination, and three weeks of hell on the mats at Serra Jiu Jitsu was what saved my arm on that night.
The aftermath of the best punch of my career. Unfortunate that it was my friend Duane Ludwig on the receiving end, but it snapped a four fight losing streak and saved my spot on the UFC roster.
In my new role as a commentator, sat next to Jon Anik at a Fox Sports event in Melbourne, Australia.
Interviewing Brett Johns in Belfast after his successful debut.
On stage at the UFC Fight Night Belfast weigh-ins at the end of 2016, with top middleweight contender Gegard Mousasi.
Race start of the Clipper Round the World yacht race, on the bow with my watch leader, Andrew Hendley. This was the first hour of the most challenging month of my life, sailing from London to Rio de Janeiro.
With my beautiful wife Lacey, in Los Angeles in 2016.
PICTURE CREDITS
All photographs © Dan Hardy except for:
Section 1: p5, below, p6, middle, below, p7, below © Robert Swann; p8 © Beto Carbajal;
Section 2: p1 © Lee Whitehead; p3, p4, p5 above © Zuffa LLC via Getty Images (Josh H
edges); below © Henning Kaiser/AFP/Getty Images; p6, middle © Gregory Payan/AP/Press Association Images; below © Donald Miralle; p7 © Jeff Botari; p8 © onEdition/courtesy of www.clipperroundtheworld.com
