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'Ignorant' Hardy attacked by fellow Brit

Dan Hardy is currently riding a four-fight losing streak following defeat to Chris Lytle at UFC Live 5 © Getty Images

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Dan Hardy has been labelled "ignorant" by fellow British mixed martial artist, Tom Watson, regarding recent comments made about Nate Marquardt.

Hardy was a frequent target of Marquardt's during the Denver-based fighter's UFC career, drawing criticism when four wins earned him a title shot at Georges St-Pierre, and then another rebuke when Hardy aimed a dig at Nik Lentz's lay-and-pray tactics against Andre Winner.

As a result, Hardy felt well-placed to offer comment on Marquardt's axing from the UFC, following a high testosterone level that prevented him from competing in a main event with Rick Story. Marquardt explained that he required Testosterone Replacement Therapy, something at which Hardy could not help having a small laugh.

"What is he, 31 or 32?" Hardy said to ESPN. "I don't want to kick a man when he's down but what's he doing needing testosterone therapy anyway at that age? I'm not that far behind him and I certainly don't need any!

"The thing that annoyed me is that he has tested positive for nandrolone in the past, people are aware of that, and now he's saying he needs Hormone Replacement. Maybe he wouldn't have needed Hormone Replacement if he hadn't been using something in the first place."

Kong Watson has trained with Marquardt in the past, and he rebuked both Hardy and the likes of BJ Penn - another critic of Marquardt - for "ignorance" regarding the matter of TRT.

"Referring to Nate's past record with PEDs is futile since Nate has served his suspensions so that should be left in the past," Watson told Fight Opinion. "And by Dan claiming that he doesn't understand why 30 year-old men need TRT, well that's an ignorant statement on behalf of Dan.

"Seemingly robust young athletes have suffered grave medical issues which nobody could anticipate so we shouldn't always judge a book by its cover without knowing the hard facts. It's a little bit silly for Dan to be involving himself in the debate, but then again I suppose he needs the publicity after his recent skid."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.