Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy

So, a lot of you might have noticed that I’ve been having the same entrance music for my UFC fights, which is “England Belongs to Me” by legendary British punk band, Cock Sparrer. They’ve been really influential in my musical taste, so imagine my surprise when they approached me about going in the studio to re-record the track with them! A child hood dream come true!

I’ve posted loads of pictures from the studio session (thanks Samantha) and you can download the new version of the song on . And you better believe I’ll be playing the new version of the song while walking out to the octagon come March 27th. Regardless of your nationality, this is a great song, and you should download and sing along at UFC 111!

iTunes UK download here
iTunes USA download here
Amazon in the UK download here
Amazon in the USA download here

I’ll be doing an additional blog with my hometown paper, the Nottingham Post, in these last weeks leading up to the fight.

Here’s an excerpt from my most recent blog, posted today:

“I’ve been training hard down at Liberty’s with a new coach, Steve Papp, from Nottingham. I have always enjoyed watching his fighters compete, winning British titles on a regular basis.

I brought him in before the Swick fight to shake things up a bit. The sessions are tough but I can see myself improving.

I’m also improving my wrestling technique with a GB Olympic team member. It’s something different I have added to this camp to better prepare for the wrestling I expect I will have to do if I want to keep the fight on the feet.” Read the rest here

Thanks for the support from Nottingham and to all my fans all over the world!

As many of you know, I’m working on my wrestling this camp. I promised I would be updated you guys via video cam, so here it is!

Occasionally, I take a break during camp, and go to the cinema. Went to see Sex & Drugs & Rock N Roll last night, about the life of Ian Dury, founder and front man of Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Always loved this band: “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”, “Reasons to be Cheerful” and the rock and roll anthem “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll” are brilliant songs!

You don’t need to know anything about Ian Dury’s music to see this film, it’s entertaining, great music, and lots of memorable lines from the late front man. The film mainly follows Dury’s relationship with his father and family and then his rise to fame as a musician. It’s colorful and splendidly done with lots of punk rock imagery and great reenactments of on-stage performances. Andy Serkis, you might know him from Lord of the Rings, plays Ian Dury and even re-recorded some of the songs with the original members of the Blockheads. It gave me a whole new perspective on Ian Dury’s life and his music.

Four stars out of five from the Outlaw.

“There are a couple of ways to avoid death, be magnificent.” – Ian Dury

This year, Fighters Only Magazine are having their first actual awards ceremony in Vegas!
I’ve been honored with being nominated for two categories: European fighter of the year and Breakthrough fighter of the year. It’s great just to be nominated, but winning these awards would certainly be a great way to end 2009! Please click through to their website and vote for me, it will just take a second of your time. To all my fans who continue to support me: thank you so much! It makes all the difference! I promise to bring you more exciting fights in 2010!

An article in the UK’s Independent newspaper, orginally about wives and girlfriends of fighters, has spawned a heated debate between readers and fighters. One reader commented on the story, calling MMA “uncivilized” and its fighters “uneducated.” Dan has responded with quite the explanation for the sport, citing its ancient foundations and historical importance, and illustrating its sanctioned and organized state.

The article and its reader comments have appeared on all the big MMA forums:
UFC forum
Sherdog forum posts about this article
MixedMartialArts.com Underground forum
MMA Weekly forum

Article in the UK’s Telegraph commenting on the online debate

Just wanted to throw a big thank you to Mikey and the guys at Indierockmedia. I felt the time had come for a new site. I‘ll still be updating everyone with news, pictures, and events, but I’m also going to be sharing a video blog about my life. In addition, I’m going to be posting the progress of my projects and work outside of the MMA world, the most recent project being my car. So, stay tuned for lots of updates and fun videos featuring, well, me!

One more thing, I know a lot of you have been writing in with inquires about shirts, bandanas, and autographed pictures. Well, you are finally going to have the chance to order them! Soon, we’ll be updating the site with an e-store where you can get all things “Outlaw”!

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past few weeks, all of the messages go a long way to keeping you motivated when training camp is tough. My team, as always, did a great job in getting me ready for UFC 99 and I can’t thank them enough; Nathan Leverton, Owen Comrie, Jimmy Wallhead & all the boys at Rough House, Ollie Richardson, Sonny Dholakia for getting me in shape, my guys in LA; Eddie Bravo & the 10th Planet guys, Freddie Roach & the Wildcard Gym, Shawn Gutteridge & all the Legend MMA guys.

My family & Elizabeth, thank you for putting up with me and always showing their love and support, to all of my fans, particularly the ‘Party Hardy’ guys for the chaos they caused! To my sponsors for investing in me and helping me train full time and compete at the top level and to the UFC for giving me the opportunity to live my dream.

I would also like to thank Marcus, his team and all of his fans. Sure, there is no love lost between us, but he is one tough dude. There is something about trading punches for 15 minutes that makes you respect a guy. I know he isnt happy with the fight and still angry at the hype beforehand, that is understandable. It was a close fight and he was in the shape of his life for it, respect for that.

There has been a lot of talk on the forums since the fight and its great to see so many people enjoyed the show. Marcus is getting a lot of heat for his actions after the fight, but remember he has put on 11 solid performances in the UFC now and deserves everyone’s respect.

Again, thanks to everyone, especically the fans. I look forward to fighting for you all again.

Thank you for your contribution to MMA and the impact you made on so many people. Your energy and generosity was unmatched and you will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your loved ones and you will not be forgotten.

Rest in peace.

The Outlaw (Tapout Soldier)