Greg Hardy appeared as relaxed as ever at an open workout session in Moscow, and he vowed to put on a show for the fans at UFC on ESPN+ 21 on Saturday.
To the surprise of many, Hardy (5-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) agreed to step in on short notice to face Alexander Volkov (30-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) after the Russian’s original opponent, former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, pulled out due to illness. And the American looked suitably focused as he hit the mitts on stage in front of a lively crowd at the official open workouts ahead of his fight this weekend at CSKA Arena.
But that stern visage soon gave way to smiles when he took off the gloves and spoke to the crowd ahead of the fight.
“I wanted to hold it down for the UFC,” Hardy told the fans in Moscow (via RT Sport). “And when somebody like Volkov calls – a legend like that, man, such a dynamic striker – me being ‘The Prince of War’, you’ve got to answer.”
Hardy, who seemed free of some of the usual fight-week tension that has followed him thus far in his UFC career, made a pre-fight promise to the Russian fans that his fight with Volkov would be an entertaining battle.
“They should expect a whole lot of war,” he said. “I love Russia. You guys are awesome. Sick country, man. I love you guys! And expect war, man. A whole lot of blood, a whole lot of fun, and a show!”
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Greg Hardy's UFC on ESPN+ 21 promise: 'A whole lot of blood, a whole lot of fun' in Moscow