Editor’s Note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
The Misfits Boxing event scheduled for Saturday in Austin, Texas has a new main event, but there’s still some UFC flame left.
With former UFC champion Vitor Belfort out, former UFC heavyweight fighter Greg Hardy stepped in to fight Hasim Rahman Jr.in a four inning match, the promotion announced on Tuesday.
Rahman (12-1, 6 KOs) was 100 pounds heavier than Hardy (1-0.1 KO) in their most recent bout – 224¼ pounds, versus 324½.
The show will be streamed on DAZN.
Belfort’s withdrawal was first reported by mixed martial arts. At this point it is not clear why Belfort withdrew.
TRIAL UPDATE: GREG DIFFICULTY FOUNDATION HASIM RAHMAN JR 💥
This Saturday @_HasimRahmanJr will face Greg Hardy on @DAZNBoxing when Misfits Boxing comes to TEXAS @SauerlandBros | @MamsTaylor | #MisfitsBoxing pic.twitter.com/miNTvT9AEt
– Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) November 15, 2022
Hardy, 34, done his professional boxing debut in October, when he beat Michael Cook by TKO in the second round. Hardy went into boxing on the heels of his departure from the UFC in March, after the end of his contract.
Before competing in the UFC, Hardy was a Pro Bowl defense player in the NFL. His career has caused many controversies, including allegations of domestic violence.
Rahman entered the match after losing his first career, fifth-round TKO to James McKenzie Morrison in April.
He was scheduled to fight Jake Paul at Madison Square Garden in August. However, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotion Yet cancel event when it claimed Rahman did not intend to carry out the agreed weight. After the cancellation, Rahman Jr. held his own informal deliberation to prove a point but still missed his expected mark of 1.6 pounds.
