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Hardy ready to fight Hughes or Penn to silence critics

Dan Hardy would fight BJ Penn to prove his worth © UFC

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As Dan Hardy looks to make a fresh run at the UFC welterweight title, he stated this week: "If it was up to me I would fight whoever the fans want me to fight."

The Outlaw was making reference to those critics who have said he did not "earn" his crack at Georges St-Pierre's welterweight crown back in March; and while the fan-satisfaction is his priority, Hardy has welcomed any of the match-ups that would silence those detractors.

"I got a lot of s*** for the last [title] fight," Hardy told ESPN. "People were saying I didn't deserve the title shot and that I didn't earn it; so this time, I don't know, the winner of the Matt Hughes-B.J. Penn fight next would be a good start.

"Obviously it depends on the Koscheck-GSP fight, he (Koscheck) could be another option. Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves - any of the top guys. I want to fight the guys who are going to prove my status in the division."

With the likes of Fitch, Alves and Koscheck the obvious names to be thrown up, the winner of the Hughes vs. Penn trilogy could very well be another explosive affair. Although refusing to look beyond this Saturday night's clash with Carlos Condit, there was one name that made The Outlaw's eyes light up when discussed.

"Chris Lytle mentioned [fighting me] - it would make sense. I've got a lot of respect for Chris; he always fights like how I would want to fight.

"I mean that's the kind of fight where you could move the Octagon round the Bud Light logo in the centre and we would just stand in there. It would be a great fight. He's a tough guy, he likes to come and bang and he doesn't mind taking risks, and that's a fight for the fans as well."

Chris Park is mmatorch.com's UK specialist. To visit mmatorch.com, click here.

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