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Hardy's still one of the best in the UFC - St-Pierre

ESPN staff
November 4, 2010
Dan Hardy was beaten to the punch by Carlos Condit © Getty Images
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Georges St-Pierre has paid a huge compliment to Dan Hardy, claiming the Briton is still "one of the best" despite his shock knockout at the hands of Carlos Condit.

St-Pierre defended his title against Hardy at UFC 111 in March, failing to finish the Rough House fighter such was the courage shown by Hardy. However, Condit succeeded where GSP failed at UFC 120, inflicting the first KO of Hardy's career.

The defeat has left question marks over Hardy's striking game, so often his strong suit, with Condit not known as one of the welterweight division's big punchers. However, St-Pierre believes the Briton suffered because he tried too hard to please his home fans.

"I think Hardy made a mistake. He wanted to swing too hard, to make the crowd happy," St-Pierre told Men's Fitness. "He came in very wild. When you stay in the middle and exchange, it's like flipping a coin.

"I think Hardy's still one of the best, it was just a mistake. Half a second's difference and the result would have been the other way around.

"Not many people realise that if the punch had been a split second later, it would have been the other way around, Hardy would have knocked out Condit. They both connected but one connected a little bit before the other."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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