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By: Chris Park, MMATorch UK Specialist
As Dan Hardy looks to make a fresh run at the UFC title he stated this week, "If it was up to me I would fight whoever the fans want me to fight." The Outlaw was making reference to those who have said he did not "earn" his crack at Georges St. Pierre's welterweight crown back in March; and while the fan-satisfaction is his priority, Hardy has welcomed any of the match-ups that would silence those critics.
"I got a lot of s*** for the last [title] fight," Hardy told MMATorch. "People were saying I didn't deserve the title shot and that I didn't earn it; so this time, I dunno, the winner of the Matt Hughes-B.J. Penn fight next would be a good start.
"Obviously it depends on the Koscheck-GSP fight, he could be another option. Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves - any of the top guys. I wanna fight the guys who are gonna prove my status in the division."
With the likes of Fitch, Alves and Koscheck the obvious names to be thrown up, the winner of the Hughes vs. Penn trilogy could very well be another explosive affair. Although refusing to look beyond this Saturday night's clash with Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit, there was one name which made The Outlaw’s eyes light up when discussed.
"Chris Lytle mentioned [fighting me] - it would make sense. I've got a lot of respect for Chris; he always fights like how I would want to fight.
"I mean that's the kind of fight where you could move the Octagon round the Bud Light logo in the centre and we would just stand in there. It would be a great fight. He's a tough guy, he likes to come and bang and he doesn't mind taking risks, and that's a fight for the fans as well."
If UFC UK President Marshall Zelaznik is able to deliver on his hope of bringing a series of "UK Fight Nights" to these shores, then what better main event is there for an early 2011 show than Dan Hardy vs. Chris Lytle to top off a showcase of the best up-and-coming European talent?
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Chris Park is the MMATorch UK Specialist and guest columnist at ESPN.co.uk. Please email any comments or questions to Chris at; mmatorchuk@gmail.com or look us up at http://www.facebook.com/mmatorchuk2 our new MMATorch Facebook home for UK Fans!
[Dan Hardy art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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