Greg Hardy Discusses Changes in Training Camp for UFC 249, Hints at WWE Aspirations

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Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight Greg Hardy had some thoughts on fighting during the coronavirus pandemic.

At the UFC’s Virtual Media Day on Thursday, Hardy sat down to talk to media members. Wearing a mask in as many fighters did throughout the course of the day, Hardy did remove it while speaking to the press. When leaving, he put the mask back on -- this, however, some other fighters did not do. Among the many topics discussed, the relative newcomer shared his thoughts on his changes in training camp.

“This one’s been a tough one, 100 percent,” he explained. “Mostly working with what we have…I lost a lot of coaches. You gotta work with what you got.”

A member of American Top Team, Hardy trained with coaches like Din Thomas, who experienced a highly publicized split from the renowned gym recently. “I was with Din Thomas, [who had to] separate with our gym,” explained Hardy. “So I didn’t get to work with him.”

In addition to struggling to pin down a coaching team, health reasons also exacerbated his training situation. “Because I have asthma, I chose not to fly,” he said. “I’ve been driving back and forth from Dallas to my gym - train, then drive, train, then drive. [I’ve been] Separated from my coaches, [it’s been] a whole new training camp...a lot of ups and downs.”

He was quick to say that fighting under these circumstances was a daunting commitment, given his own preexisting health condition of asthma. “I’m terrified," he admitted. “But that’s not gonna stop me from paving the way and making sure my boss has the most entertaining fight.”

Hardy, who competed a record five times in 2019 at heavyweight for the Las Vegas-based promotion, described a few of the differences in the fight camp. As many fighters on Thursday lamented, the coronavirus test was a shock to the system. Perhaps more important than the nasal swab was how he had to approach the week itself.

“The difference between this one and the other ones is that this is more cautious,” said Hardy. “Instead of showing up, focusing; you need to make sure your bags are ready, [your] team’s ready.”

He continued, “It’s been an adjustment, but not a big one, the UFC has made that easy. [It’s] slowly becoming a mental game, moving away from the physical and the focus and the preparation that goes into stuff like that. Trying to stay on task, make sure boxes are checked, got masks…hand sanitizer.”

Fighting in front of an empty arena will not affect Hardy in the slightest, as he was ready offer his experience with Dana White's Contender Series. “[It’s] Not a big adjustment,” he went on to say. “[I am] a developmental contract kind of guy with fights in front of 10 people. It’s gonna be another day in the office.”

With the magnitude of UFC 249, Hardy did not think twice to sign up to the opportunity, risk or not. “It wasn’t even a second thought for me. I always say yes, I never really questioned it a second time. This is just another one…Greg Hardy is a man of firsts.”

When asked about his opponent, Hardy was fair in his assessment of the danger that Yorgan De Castro presents. “He’s a threat everywhere; he’s got heavy hands,” he stated. However, the undefeated record of De Castro did not make Hardy concerned. “That undefeated thing is a cute title, we’ll put it to the test, we’ll see.”

After answering the standard question line of preparing for this bout, a reporter remarked that the AEW athletes were also staying in the same hotel. That same weekend, an event for that independent wrestling promotion will be going on in Jacksonville, Florida, and Hardy beamed when the prospect of professional wrestling was raised.

“[They could] Teach me some moves, maybe I go to the WWE…that’d be super dope,” he exclaimed. “The ‘King of War’ deserves to be in the WWE.” Not unfamiliar with the pro wrestling scene, Hardy proudly selected Sting as his favorite pro wrestler. He also noted that if he had a signature move, it would be “a sweet off-the-ropes move…like Rey Mysterio.”

UFC 249 is going down on May 9 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, where it will be headlined by an interim lightweight title clash between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Serving as the co-main event is a bantamweight championship affair between Henry Cejudo and Dominick Cruz.