Dana White Could Sign Ex-NFL Star, But Not Like CM Punk
With Ex-NFL star and pro bowl defensive end Greg Hardy making the career switch to mixed martial arts (MMA), one can only imagine that the 28-year-old athlete will eventually find his way into the ultimate proving grounds of the UFC.
During a recent interview with UFC President Dana White on FS1’s Speak for Yourself, White revealed that he is open to signing the former football star the the UFC, but only after he gets some experience under his belt:
“I’m one of those guys too who believes that we’re all human beings and we all make mistakes,” White said (courtesy of MMA Fighting). “And when you make a mistake, you pay your penance, whatever it might be, and you should be allowed to make a living and move on in your life. Is he good enough to come into the UFC and fight? I highly doubt it.
“I’ve been playing football for a couple weeks too, maybe I’ll try out for the (New England) Patriots?” White said. “It takes a little bit longer than that, but he could fight at one of these small shows. We’ll see how he looks, and I don’t know.”
The ‘mistake’ White is referring to Hardy’s domestic abuse charges against his now ex-girlfriend, to which he was slapped with 18-months probation and 10-game NFL suspension. The former Carolina Panther was also arrested for cocaine possession in Dallas this past September:
“I’m not saying he should be welcomed here, but I’m saying I’m a guy who believes that if you make a mistake, your life isn’t over, go kill yourself or something,” White said. “You made a mistake, you pay for it. When you make mistakes, it’s all about how you act from there on out. How do you handle yourself after that and what do you do to fix it.”
If Hardy finds his way to success early in his MMA career, it may only be a matter of time before we see him competing under the bright lights of the UFC.
