• UFC 111

Hardy has secret weapon in store for GSP title fight

Dan Hardy has a twist in store for GSP © UFC

Enlarge

Related Links

• Features: It's time for a British treble in Abu Dhabi - Etim
  
• News: Hardy confesses his money would be on St-Pierre
  
• News: Hardy's the 'most dangerous' I've faced - St-Pierre
  
• News: A fighter always beats an athlete - Hardy
  
• News: Hardy accepts Swick apology, promises to finish GSP
  
• News: Hardy's built a 'great game plan' to beat GSP - Bisping
  
• News: Hardy's hooks can 'seriously hurt' GSP - Swick
  
• News: Hardy will be forced to face Daley as champion - Zelaznik
  
• News: Zelaznik defends Hardy from Koscheck criticisms
  
• Features: The time for GSP talk is over, let's fight - Hardy
  
• Profile: Dan Hardy | Georges St-Pierre

Dan Hardy is hiding a secret weapon up his sleeve for his UFC welterweight title showdown with Georges St-Pierre.

Hardy has flown out to the US to complete his training camp ahead of the March 27 bout, where he says he has been working with some "awesome training partners". The Outlaw has spent the majority of his camp working with team-mates Andre Winner, Paul Daley, Nick Osipczak and Ross Pearson at Team Rough House in England, but now he is utilising his extensive contacts in the US to complete his preparations.

Recognising the fact that St-Pierre is arguably the most complete fighter in the UFC, Hardy has drawn upon every bit of knowledge to build a "great game plan" according to Michael Bisping, ready to upset a champion that has not lost since April 2007. Speaking exclusively to Espn.co.uk, Hardy admitted he has a secret in store for his rival, but he is keeping the names of his training partners close to his chest.

"I've had some awesome training partners, not only at Team Rough House but also since I've been out here in the US," said Hardy. "But if you want to know exactly who has been helping me out, watch the "UFC Primetime" show, that's all I'll say."

Meanwhile, Hardy admitted that he does not believe the UFC planned for him to be St-Pierre's next title defence, following revelations earlier this week from UFC UK president Marshall Zelaznik that he had expected Hardy to be beaten by Mike Swick. Zelaznik confessed that both he and UFC president Dana White had been forced to eat their own words following the Swick fight, and Hardy stressed it just serves to prove that he has been upsetting odds since he stepped inside the Octagon.

"I think it was quite obvious that Mike was supposed to beat me," he commented. "I think that was obvious.

"But that's what makes it sweeter when I prove everybody wrong. And there are more surprises to come."

In anticipation of their UFC 111 showdown, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and challenger Dan Hardy will be featured in "UFC Primetime," a three-part special that airs on ESPN from this Saturday night. Episode 1 airs at 12:30am, with the second and third shows following over the next two weekends.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.