The MMA comeback of former UFC fighter Greg Hardy hit a brutal wall on Saturday night. Competing at Fight Nation Championship 31, Hardy suffered a devastating knockout loss despite entering the cage with a massive weight advantage.
The event took place at the Belgrade Arena, where Hardy faced fellow UFC veteran Darko Stosic in the co-main event. The finish came midway through the third round, marking another violent end for the controversial athlete (via FNC MMA on X).
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Hardy stepped on the scale on Friday, registering a staggering 292.3 pounds, putting the former Dallas Cowboy a shocking 26 pounds over the heavyweight non-title fight limit of 265 pounds (via Uncrowned on X):
His opponent, Darko Stosic, weighed in at 239.6 pounds, meaning Hardy held roughly a 52-pound weight advantage once they stepped into the cage. Despite the significant size disparity, Stosic showed no hesitation in accepting the fight.
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Hardy Gets KO’d
The fight remained competitive into the third round, but Stosic eventually found the finishing sequence. After attacking Hardy’s lead leg with a vicious kick, Stosic loaded up on a massive overhand right that connected flush (via Championship Rounds on X):
The punch caused Hardy to be knocked down to the canvas, though he was seemingly conscious upon hitting the ground. Stosic followed up with a heavy hammer fist before the referee could intervene, officially ending the contest at 2:42 of Round 3.
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This marks the fourth knockout loss in Hardy’s last five MMA appearances, dating back to 2020. The 37-year-old has now lost three straight fights by KO across MMA, bare-knuckle, and exhibition boxing matches.
Hardy’s Controversial History
Hardy’s troubled UFC tenure ended in 2022 following three consecutive knockout losses to Marcin Tybura, Tai Tuivasa, and Serghei Spivac. Before MMA, Hardy was an NFL player who was released from the football league after his highly controversial domestic violence arrest and reported off-field behavioral issues.
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Greg HardyBy Tony Fisher
While he won his return to MMA this past January in a fight against Phillip Latu at Peak Fighting 50, Saturday’s performance proved he remains unable to compete with seasoned heavyweight talent.
Hardy already has another fight scheduled for July 18 on a Peak Fighting card in Texas. However, that booking is now in serious jeopardy pending medical clearance from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation following this violent knockout.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
