• UFC

'Chris Lytle probably the next opponent' - Hardy

Dan Hardy has revealed that he and Chris Lytle are both expecting to fight each other later this year.

Speaking on the ESPN UFC Podcast, Hardy explained that he has taken the decision to spend more time in the United States, working on the main weakness in his game which is wrestling defence.

Both Georges St-Pierre and Anthony Johnson exposed Hardy's shortcomings to top-and-tail a three-fight losing streak for the Brit, who would be expected to get cut by the UFC if he loses his next fight.

The opponent, although not yet official, is set to be Lytle, who is coming off a loss to Brian Ebersole.

"Chris Lytle is probably the next opponent," Hardy told the ESPN UFC Podcast. "I just mentioned him in an interview after the Anthony Johnson fight. I want a fight I can look forward to. I've got a lot of respect for Chris Lytle, he always brings it when he fights.

"Chris has really established a good position in the sport. I need to get back in there, have a fun fight, entertain the fans, and then I need to go 'okay, these are the things I need to be doing to get back to the belt'.

"Three fights ago I was so close to it, I was right there with a title shot. Now, three fights later, I feel so far away from it, but the reality is that if I win a couple of fights I'm back towards it again.

"I'm confident I can do it (win the belt). I'm 27 years old, I've got seven years left in the sport, I can do it, I know I can.

"I know Chris is keen for the fight as well, we don't have a date yet and nothing's official, but it's looking that way."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.