• UFC 120

Hardy never considered quitting after GSP loss

ESPN staff
October 11, 2010
Dan Hardy discusses retirement

Dan Hardy insists there was never a doubt in his mind that he would take a second run at the UFC welterweight title, despite suffering the heartache of a one-sided loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 111.

Hardy embarked on his longest break from the sport following his title showdown with St-Pierre, which saw the Briton outclassed in the grappling department. The seven-month absence has seen him invest heavily in wrestling and jiu-jitsu techniques, which will be put to the test by Carlos Condit at UFC 120 on Saturday.

However, the time away has been just as important mentally as it has physically for Hardy, who has given himself time to rediscover his hunger having reached the last rung of the welterweight ladder, only to fall significantly short.

Now blessed with a life in America as well as England, and with undoubtedly more money than he had two years ago, it might have been difficult for certain fighters to truly regain the necessary desire, but Hardy insists the thought of turning his back on the sport never crossed his mind.

"You would be surprised by how much I get paid, it's not half as much as you think!" quipped Hardy in an interview with ESPN.

"I'm still driving a **** car and I'm still flying economy! The money's never been an issue for me. I'm not a greedy person, I can survive on very little.

"My goal is to be the best I can be. When I feel I can't improve any more, that's when I'll know it's time to call it day - nothing to do with the money."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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