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Hardy slams hunting Hughes, wants May return to action

Dan Hardy is ready to bounce back in 2012 © Getty Images

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Dan Hardy has told ESPN he is targeting a potential May return to action in Las Vegas, and he shined the spotlight firmly on Matt Hughes once again on Wednesday evening.

Hardy is ready to put almost two years of agony behind him when he returns to the Octagon in 2012, aiming to end a four-fight losing streak. The Brit has already confessed he would like to fight Hughes, and ideally he wants the bout to take place close to where he is based, so he can pour all his energy into getting the victory.

"I've got no opponent or date set. I've been speaking to Joe Silva and Lorenzo [Fertitta's] been watching me train in the mornings," Hardy told ESPN.

"I'd like a May or June return in Vegas. I want the time to invest with my coaches. And fighting in Vegas means I can do my camp at home where all my coaches are, that would allow me to focus fully on the fight."

If Hardy got his way, Hughes would be the man standing on the opposite side of the cage. Hardy previously told ESPN he doesn't like the legendary welterweight champion, and now he has taken issue with Hughes' hunting of bobcats.

Accompanied by a picture of Hughes standing proudly next to what appears to be one of his prey, Hardy tweeted: "Look at what I killed. Aren't I the man? This is the only thing I have found that cures my impotence."

When he then received plenty of replies in defence of Hughes, Hardy answered: "Just voicing my opinion. I don't like him and I don't mind saying it."

A series of different debates, including whether hunting is morally correct and whether it is any different to fighting, then ensued, with Hardy tweeting the following.

"There is no justification for what he does. I fight against other people that enjoy fighting also. Shooting animals for fun isn't sport and it certainly isn't cool.

"I don't have a problem for hunting if there is a purpose for it. I have never read about anywhere being overrun by bobcats though.

"I just don't like seeing it done without a purpose. Shooting a wild cat for fun is a joke. I have many other reasons to dislike Hughes though."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.