One of the many controversial debut in UFC Paris, Harry Hardwick, a Cage Warriors star and former champion, starts in the short term. He will be confronted against Kaue Fernandes on a map with head by Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.
Harry “Houdini” Hardwick
Stand on five foot ten
Fighting on 170 pounds (Welterweight)
30 years old
Fighting from Middlesbrough, England
Middlesbrough Fight Academy training
A pro-record of 13-3-1
3 KO/TKOS, 4 entries
Hardwick comes in the UFC and both a veteran of Cage Warriors and former champion, with a short period in Bellator earlier in his career. He made his name in Cage Warriors, went 7-0-1, won the featherweight belt and defended it twice. While he defeated solid regional competition during his run, his recent back-to-back victories in Javier Garcia and Keweny Lopes showed that he was ready for the next step.
Opposite Hardwick is walking in like a wooden chipper: it cuts towards you until you are completely flooded. He puts ruthless pressure from the opening bell, cuts the cage and forces opponents in his preferred range, the bag. That is where his sharp boxing shines. Hardwick thrives on volume, throws constant combinations and changes pace, corners and goals. He combines Jabs, hooks and kicks all levels and never falls into predictable patterns.
Defensively he rolls with bumps, but is still taking on his damage – it is part of the costs of his style. What makes him dangerous is his sustainability, forward pressure and endless pace, which opponents wear out over time.
His Takedown defense was a liability earlier in his career, but he lifted it. Even when he is removed, he folds well and threatens submissions from his back. Moreover, he is an underrated attacking grappler. His body triangle is suffocated and he is skilled in hunting the dominant positions.
Hardwick is not without mistakes. He can be cleaned, fell, removed and has no huge knockout power. But his toughness, output and versatility make him a nightmare to deal with.
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