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Hardy looking to spend more time with Frank Mir

Dan Hardy's ground game showed improvements against Amir Sadollah in Nottingham © Getty Images

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Dan Hardy is hoping to take further steps on the path to improving the grappling side of his game by engaging in more work with former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

Hardy has built an extremely strong relationship with Mir since moving out to the US, and the respect is mutual between both men.

The Outlaw first worked with Mir in 2011 ahead of the American's clash with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Mir won that bout in memorable circumstances when he broke Nogueira's arm.

The relationship sees Hardy help to sharpen up Mir's reflexes and work rate in sparring, while world class BJJ practitioner Mir aids the Brit's evolving takedown defence and ground work. Certainly signs of progression were evident in Hardy during his recent win over Amir Sadollah, and he wants to build on that platform.

"It'd be nice to fight in Vegas again and it'd be nice to do some more work with Frank," Hardy told ESPN in a recent interview. "That worked really well last time, we both benefitted from each other. He had his title fight but I was fighting for my job at the time, so it kind of levelled out.

"I started working with him for the Nogueira fight in Canada and I was one of his sparring partners. They used me for his first and last round of sparring. So he had somebody quick in the first round, and then somebody to keep him moving in the last.

"The first round he beats me up, it's like having a Jack Russell in front of him and he tries to smash me with this big right hand! But then in the last round I get my own back because I can outspeed him.

"It really helps because we clinch and I can really put all my muscle into it. He's a top guy to work with."

Follow Dan on Twitter @danhardymma

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