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Dejected Hardy plans long break from the Octagon

Dan Hardy admits something isn't right at present, and he needs to figure out what © Getty Images

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Dan Hardy will take a prolonged break from MMA in order to rediscover the mindset that once led him to a UFC welterweight title shot.

Hardy lost via guillotine choke to Chris Lytle at UFC Live 5, extending his losing streak to four fights. The UFC instantly assured the Brit he will not be cut, but it seems Hardy is in no position - psychologically - to continue fighting.

The Brit took home $65,000 in the form of a Fight of the Night bonus, but that will do little to soften the blow of another defeat. Since fighting Georges St-Pierre for the championship, Hardy has now lost to Carlos Condit, Anthony Johnson and Lytle.

The UFC wants him to continue, but Hardy admits enough is enough. He recently made the move to Roy Nelson's gym in the States, and the Brit is seeking time to rediscover the mentality that saw him begin his UFC career with a four-fight tear.

"I think my head's elsewhere to be honest," Hardy told MMA Junkie. "I'm going to step back a little bit and take some time - just enjoy being in the gym for a little while and see where the future takes me. I'll see where my life takes me after a couple of days off.

"I'm proud to say I fought for the belt. It may have been a little early in my career to have done it, but it was an opportunity I took, and I gave it everything I've got. But after that, I don't know. I just felt a little bit of a distance from myself and the sport for various reasons. I don't know.

"I think I just need to really dedicate the time to it and either come back in a blaze of glory and make a run for the belt or do something else. I'm not sure yet."

The crux of Hardy's pondering seems to rest on his new camp. The Brit has only just moved to Nelson's gym, and now he wants time to see if he can make the necessary adjustments when training with top class partners day in day out.

"Obviously, a lot of people are three losses and out," Hardy said. "I'm obviously four down now and I appreciate [Lorenzo Fertitta's) going to give me another opportunity. I love the UFC and the fans and just being a part of the organization and being amongst great fighters.

"I think if they are going to give me one more fight, then I really need to take some time and come back re-invented. There are a lot of things I can do.

"But right now, I need space from competing, and I need space in the gym getting beaten up by much better guys in every area. I'll either improve or find another way. If I've got one more fight, then I'll take one more fight. But maybe it won't be for a little while.

"I think I had the quickest rise and the quickest fall the UFC's ever seen - four fights up, four fights down. But there were improvements to make. I know that. I just don't think between fights I've really had the time to invest in working on those particular things. I know I've got it in me to learn them."

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