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Hardy laughs off Riddle fight talk

ESPN staff
July 24, 2012
Dan Hardy is on his way back up the UFC ladder © Getty Images
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Dan Hardy has mocked the suggestion that he might fight Matt Riddle, insisting there is nothing to gain from a meeting with the American.

Riddle created headlines at UFC 149, first by taking the Submission of the Night award thanks to a brilliant arm triangle. However, that became overshadowed by his post-fight comments, which saw him reveal a simmering hatred of England.

It seems Riddle had a bad experience when fighting at UFC 105 in Manchester, where he lost to Nick Osipczak. During his stay in England, the welterweight claims he was spat on by a British fan.

Unrelated to that alleged incident, Riddle wants his next fight to be Hardy, who takes on Amir Sadollah in Nottingham later this year. "I have nothing personal against him, but a win over him, I guarantee everybody knows my name afterwards," Riddle said.

However, Hardy has since responded, asking why exactly he would fight a guy who would not advance his position in the 170lb division any further than Sadollah - his next rival.

"Why the hell would I fight Riddle?" Hardy wrote on Twitter. "There is no value in it for me and I'd be forced to look at him more than I have to now."

The UFC is returning to the UK on September 29 at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham. Tickets are available from www.capitalfmarena.com, www.ufc.com and the Capital FM Arena box office.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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