Dan Hardy's Next Opponent Either Condit or Kampman at UFC 120

ESPN.co.uk understands that the UFC has narrowed down the shortlist for Dan Hardy's next opponent to just two names: Carlos Condit or Martin Kampmann.

Hardy is ready to return to the Octagon at UFC 120 in London following his March defeat to Georges St-Pierre, a fight that represented British MMA's first ever title shot. "The Outlaw" has taken time out following the unanimous decision defeat to recover from the draining process of being involved in a UFC main event, but now he is champing at the bit to put the loss behind him.

Having won his four previous fights in the UFC, Hardy remains a top contender in the welterweight division, and the calibre of opponent that the UFC is considering for his next bout proves he is not about to be fed a 'tune-up' fight.

Kampmann is currently one of the most in-form fighters in the 170lb weight class. Since being stopped by Paul Daley, the Dane has beaten Jacob Volkmann and, more impressively, Paulo Thiago to climb the ladder. A former middleweight, Kampmann is now fighting at his true weight, and his ground game would pose real problems to Hardy.

Asked recently about a potential collision with the Brit, Kampmann told MMA Junkie that he felt the fight would be a 'great opportunity'. Logistically, the Kampmann encounter may also be the easier to make as "The Hitman" prepares to return to Europe over the summer.

Carlos Condit may well be the more tempting option to the UFC though, who always look to put on stand-up wars to satisfy the action-thirsty cravings of the British crowd. While Kampmann showed against Thiago that he can nullify the division's top strikers on the mat, Condit generally prefers to duke it out.

Also riding a two-fight win streak since a loss to Kampmann on his UFC debut, Condit was the final man to hold the WEC welterweight title before the division was dissolved. Consecutive fights against welterweight champions for Hardy would make for a good sell, in what will surely be the night's co-main event at the o2 Arena.

http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/29291.html

Kampmann would be the easier fight for him. I hope its Condit though

Kampman seems to make a fool out of me often

would rather see Condit too

Hardy flattens either fighter.

I think Hardy beats Kampmann, but has tougher time with Condit.

I hope it's Kampmann, a guy just losing to GSP and a guy who just beat a top 10 WW makes more sense.

Condit vs. Hathaway, I'm gonna keep pushing this fight, what's Dana's email address?

I know people hate on Dana for that stuff, but he's really just being a business man, my old analogy, McDonalds isn't going to say the Whopper is the best burger.

These are the level of fighter's Hardy should have been fighting before GSP. I agree with article and prefer Condit.

tolivendiewithLA wrote:

I know people hate on Dana for that stuff, but he's really just being a business man, my old analogy, McDonalds isn't going to say the Whopper is the best burger.

It's not what you say, but how you say it, and Dana comes off like a prick in his rants. If a straight laced business man like Coker were in charge of the UFC, while a personality like Dana was in charge of an upstart org, all the UFC hugger's would be calling for the head of this guy saying he ruins the integrity of the sport.

Condit is more dangerous off his back or standing, but won't find himself on top of Hardy that much as his wrestling tends to suck.

Kampmann has better wrestling and a good top game, but I don't think he can take Hardy down enough and keep him there enough to submit him or win a decision.

Kampmann wins this fight and I'll become a temporary believer.

captain organic wrote:

tolivendiewithLA wrote:

I know people hate on Dana for that stuff, but he's really just being a business man, my old analogy, McDonalds isn't going to say the Whopper is the best burger.

It's not what you say, but how you say it, and Dana comes off like a prick in his rants. If a straight laced business man like Coker were in charge of the UFC, while a personality like Dana was in charge of an upstart org, all the UFC hugger's would be calling for the head of this guy saying he ruins the integrity of the sport.

Yeah but Dana helped build the UFC he has a right to talk, maybe not that much, but still, and Coker blows, not a fan at all.

You also don't talk when your a smaller Org, Dana runs the Giant, why say the best fighter in the World isn't his?

Same with Condit. I wrote him off after he came back to the UFC but if he beats Hardy I'll at least respect him slightly more.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Condit is more dangerous off his back or standing, but won't find himself on top of Hardy that much as his wrestling tends to suck.

Kampmann has better wrestling and a good top game, but I don't think he can take Hardy down enough and keep him there enough to submit him or win a decision.

Kampmann wins this fight and I'll become a temporary believer.

Yeah that is Condit's weakness, plus his takedown D is't anything special, he's crafty though, I think he's a tougher matchup for Hardy, not sure who I'd pick there.

As we've discussed in that other thread, I'd pick Hardy for all those reasons over Kamp.

I hate that fast food analogy. Dana obsesses about signing Fedor. Trashing him makes Dana look bad. Dana doesn't sell hamburgers and Mcdonalds doesn't want to sign the Whopper. The Celtics owner doesn't trash Kobe.

because its true LA

because its true

Fedor > world < Lions Den

It's on point though, you don't talk like the best fighter in the World isn't in your Org when you are clearly the best Org in the World, especially when you have trouble signing him because of his managements dumb demands.

Bird not sure what is true, odd post

that Fedor is the best fihgter in the world..............................more than likely

Yes, but if he is't in your Org and your Org is clearly the best, most high profile Org in the World, you don't go out announcing it.

im cool either way. Both great fights.

Whomever it is..i predict a Hardy loss and the book closed on probably the most forced UFC contender in a long while.

im with that Kings. Some people around here are putting Hardy on WAY too high a pedestal. He is very one dimensional and beatable imo.

Boo yahh.. this is what I wanted. Would be back to back boo's from the crowd for Condit.

How did Fedor somehow break into this thread?

KingsOwn19 wrote:

Whomever it is..i predict a Hardy loss and the book closed on probably the most forced UFC contender in a long while.

+1

Hardy vs Condit would be an all out war.

It'll be Hardy vs. Kampmann