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Hardy won't chase 'blood thirsty' Hughes forever

Dan Hardy would love to square off with Matt Hughes © Getty Images

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Dan Hardy insists he will not chase Matt Hughes for a potential welterweight encounter, even though the Brit "can't stand" the former UFC champion.

Hardy has been extremely vocal in his disliking of Hughes, a known hunter who preys on wild animals. That, plus many other things, does not sit well with Hardy.

The Outlaw, who fights Duane Ludwig in his next bout at UFC 146, made a strong effort to secure a fight with Hughes, not least when asking Lorenzo Fertitta for the bout.

Hughes is yet to show any willing, so far failing to respond to any of Hardy's taunts, and the Brit admits there is only so much he is willing to do in order to get somebody in the same Octagon as him.

"I would love to figure that out, that blood thirsty kill freak. I can't stand the dude," Hardy told MMAWeekly Radio.

"I'd love to get a shot at him, but the thing with Matt Hughes is I don't like him as a person, but I can't help but respect him as a fighter. He achieved a lot and I enjoyed watching him fight when he was at his peak.

"As a person, I can't stand him; I wouldn't speak to him if I had the option. But I watch his fights and I learn from them.

"The thing is, at this stage in his career, I know he's past his peak. I know he's not looked great in his last few fights, and maybe he's kind of winding down.

"I would love to fight him and, if he was willing to take the fight, I would by all means love to get in there and put it on him, but I'm not going to chase after the guy cause he has passed his peak and he may not want to a fight against someone who doesn't like him as much as me."

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