UFC
UFC 146's Dan Hardy wants to fight "blood thirsty kill freak" Matt Hughes
Mar 18, 2012 - 5:45:22 PM UFC 146's Dan Hardy wants to fight "blood thirsty kill freak" Matt Hughes

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Dan Hardy may be on a four fight losing streak, and he may be on his last legs with the UFC into his UFC 146 bout with Duane "Bang" Ludwig, but that hasn't stopped him from calling out a former UFC Welterweight Champion.

Hardy has some issues with former Champ and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes. Hughes, an avid hunter, drew some backlash from many - Hardy included - when he posted a picture on Twitter of him with a freshly killed bobcat from a hunting outing. Now, in an interview with MMAWeekly.com, Hardy expanded on past thoughts about Hughes, and said it's a fight he really wants in his career.

"I would love to figure that out, that blood thirsty kill freak," Hardy said. "I can't stand the dude. I'd love to get a shot at him, but the thing with Matt Hughes is I don't like him as a person, but I can't help but respect him as a fighter. He achieved a lot and I enjoyed watching him fight when he was at his peak. As a person, I can't stand him; I wouldn't speak to him if I had the option. But I watch his fights and I learn from them."

"The thing is, at this stage in his career, I know he's past his peak. I know he's not looked great in his last few fights, and maybe he's kind of winding down. I would love to fight him and, if he was willing to take the fight, I would by all means love to get in there and put it on him, but I'm not going to chase after the guy cause he has passed his peak and he may not want to a fight against someone who doesn't like him as much as me."

Penick's Analysis: Hardy's got more pressing matters ahead, and before this bout even becomes a remote possibility he's got halt his four-fight losing streak. However, because the UFC likes him, because he's challenged for a title in the last few years, and because Hughes has been knocked out in each of his last two fights, the UFC may be more interested in putting this fight together than most might believe. It's a longshot, and Hughes hasn't decided yet for sure if he will fight again or not, but if Hardy beats Ludwig he'll be a realistic option.

[Dan Hardy art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]