• UFC 127

Hardy defends Bisping over UFC 127 spitting row

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Dan Hardy has confessed the UFC has no choice but to punish Michael Bisping over his alleged spitting scandal in Sydney, but The Outlaw insists there needs to be understanding for the pressure Bisping was operating under.

Bisping is still waiting to learn his fate after he delivered an illegal knee to Jorge Rivera and then appeared to spit in the direction of coach Matt Phinney at UFC 127. The Briton could be facing a fine and/or suspension, despite a staunch defence from his Wolf's Lair camp, and he has plenty of support from compatriot Hardy.

"The UFC need to be seen to do something about it to keep the sport from getting a bad rap, but I also think people need to understand where we're at as athletes and what we go through," Hardy told ESPN. "I don't think people understand that it's not all smiles and handshakes. It's aggressive; you're in there to do a job.

"The more aggressive you are, the more angry you are, the better you're gonna perform. Mike was just in the zone. People need to be more forgiving of fighters when we get carried away because we're an aggressive type of people!"

Hardy admits Bisping lost control in the aftermath of his victory over Rivera, reacting to pre-fight taunts about his family and heritage by targeting the American's corner. However, Hardy is adamant his countryman had no intention to spit directly at any of Rivera's team.

"Mike's performance was awesome; I thought he looked great in the fight. He is a very sensitive guy, he does let things get on top of him sometimes, and unfortunately it got the better of him in the aftermath," said the Rough House welterweight.

"He's a natural fighter, I've always known that ever since I trained with him, and anybody who winds him up is only going to make him better at being himself because he becomes more aggressive.

"The trash talk pre-fight was all natural, I don't see anything wrong with that. The spitting… I think his intention was to spit on the floor as an insult, but because he was in the Octagon which is raised up, it looked like he was spitting on them. I don't think he was, it was unfortunate.

"It was a big call, but with adrenaline we all make bad calls sometimes."

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