Greg Hardy, a former NFL star and UFC veteran, made his first approach to the BKFC ring, but events did not go as he had anticipated.

Hardy removed his gloves for the first time in his career at BKFC Knucklemania 3 at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to meet Josh Watson, a former MMA fighter who came into the match with bareknuckle expertise. Hardy’s bare-knuckle debut was ruined when he weathered an initial storm and ended up on the receiving end of a brutal knockout.

Greg Hardy got slept at #KnuckleMania3 😳pic.twitter.com/vft0yt8adJ

— MMA India (@MMAIndiaShow) February 18, 2023

Bad start to BKFC career for Greg Hardy

Swiftly entering the fray, Watson hit Greg Hardy with precise punches. In order to get his bearings and begin the fight, Hardy was able to circle away and restart. Hardy started working behind a left jab to keep Watson outside the ring after seizing control of the centre.

But, in the final seconds of the round, Watson connected with a punishing left hook that sent Hardy tumbling into the firm ropes and away from the mat. Hardy was given a standing eight count, which was counted as a knockdown, and referee Dan Miragliotta let the fight to continue.

The ringside doctor was concerned about a significant cut over Watson’s left eye between rounds, but he gave Watson the all-clear to start the second round.

In the first few seconds, Watson rushed Greg Hardy once more, this time landing a powerful blow that finally sent Hardy to the ground. As Watson started to rejoice, Miragliotta stopped the fight after evaluating Hardy’s health.

The 40-year-old Watson entered the fight on Friday fresh off a first-round knockout of Kyle McElroy at BKFC 28 in August. In six of his ten MMA fights, Watson submitted the majority of his opponents in the first round.

With his UFC exit in March of last year, Greg Hardy, 34, put his traditional gloved boxing skills to the test. He signed with BKFC in January after winning two fights over Hasim Rahman Jr. and Mike Cook.