Greg Hardy has his arm raised in victory after beating Yorgan De Castro at UFC 249 Saturday night in Jacksonville, Fla. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Hardy noise: Former NFL star wins yet another MMA fight

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 5/9/20

It was the biggest MMA fight to date for former NFL star Greg Hardy. The former Pro Bowler entered UFC 249 Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida, boasting a 5-2 career record.

It also represented the first time that Hardy was on center stage for the biggest event the UFC has to offer.

Could the heavyweight who was shunned by the NFL due to a domestic violence incident take his next step to star status in the Octagon?

In the end, Hardy proved the naysayers wrong by defeating Yorgan De Castro via unanimous decision, 30-27.

The sports world had its reactions to Hardy moving to 6-2 in his career and potentially looking at bigger things ahead.

Greg Hardy has made a lot of technical improvements and had gotten better at utilizing range.

He's gone from a fighter that needed to hunt the knockout to more of a tactician who has gotten better at taking advantage of his size.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 10, 2020

Greg Hardy just credited hearing Daniel Cormier — who is on commentary — for letting him know to check leg kicks: "Game changer." #UFC249
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) May 10, 2020

Wait who is that guy Greg hardy just dapped up?? I thought there were no fans
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) May 10, 2020

Empty arena and I can still hear booing for Greg Hardy pic.twitter.com/vbXig7OA5B
— ali-raza (@alipkx) May 10, 2020

Reminder that Greg Hardy is a domestic abuser who threw his gf onto a pile of guns and choked her
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) May 10, 2020

Cormier: “One thing you cant question (about greg hardy), is his desire and willingness to fight anybody at anytime”

………………..
— (@PAturnpikefan) May 10, 2020

All of Greg Hardy’s fans are in the crowd tonight. #UFC249
— #UFC249 (@RetweetMMA) May 10, 2020

Don't let the grotesque irresponsibility of Dana White mounting a fight card right now distract you from him showcasing Greg Hardy on that card!
— Tim Marchman (@timmarchman) May 9, 2020

I know people don’t like him, but Greg Hardy is pretty dang good for someone who’s only been fighting two years. #UFC249
— Micah Stewart (@micahstewart70) May 10, 2020

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: