Ex-UFC and NFL fighter Greg Hardy stops fight after suffering asthma attack in his corner

Follow us on Google Discover

Friday night was a rough one for a UFC veteran, as his latest boxing match ended in a pretty rough way.

Former UFC heavyweight and one-time NFL defensive star Greg Hardy endured a frightening end to his boxing match on Friday night. The 10-fight UFC veteran, who transitioned to combat sports after his NFL career, has taken several bouts in Russia and on the exhibition circuit since leaving the Octagon in 2022.
But while he has enjoyed flashes of success, the issues that once derailed key moments of his MMA career returned dramatically on November 28, forcing his team and officials to halt the fight before the fourth round.

Greg Hardy suffers alarming boxing defeat after mid-fight asthma attack

Hardy faced Evgeny Goncharov in Russia, but the matchup ended abruptly when the 37-year-old slumped in his corner between rounds. Broadcast footage showed the heavyweight visibly struggling to breathe, eventually asking his coaches for his inhaler as he suffered a severe asthma attack. Officials quickly waved off the contest, handing Hardy another setback in his boxing campaign.

Hardy was initially fast-tracked into the UFC years ago thanks to his size and athletic background, much like other crossover hopefuls such as Olympic champion Gable Steveson. But the controversial former defensive end never fully settled in the heavyweight division, suffering losses to top names including Tai Tuivasa before exiting the promotion three years ago.

A familiar issue: Hardy once had a UFC win overturned over inhaler use

This was not the first time Hardy’s asthma has factored into the outcome of a fight. Back in October 2019, the NFL-turned-MMA fighter had a decision victory over Ben Sosoli overturned to a no contest after he used an inhaler between rounds — something not permitted under UFC rules.

Just two fights earlier, Hardy had already faced scrutiny for an illegal knee in his UFC debut against Allen Crowder, which resulted in a disqualification. His next bout after the inhaler controversy saw him thrown into deep waters against Alexander Volkov, where he suffered his first decision loss in the promotion.