Greg Hardy replaces Vitor Belfort as opponent for Hasim Rahman Jr.
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 a little UFC flare remains.
With former UFC champion Vitor Belfort out, former UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy has stepped in to fight Hasim Rahman Jr., in a four-round bout, the promotion announced Tuesday.
Rahman (12-1, 6 KOs) weighed 100 pounds less than Hardy (1-0, 1 KO) in their most recent bouts – 224¼ pounds, compared to 324½.
The show will be streamed on DAZN.
Belfort’s withdrawal was first reported by MMA Fighting. It is unclear at this time why Belfort withdrew.
CARD UPDATE: GREG HARDY TO FACE HASIM RAHMAN JR
This Saturday @_HasimRahmanJr will face Greg Hardy on @DAZNBoxing as Misfits Boxing comes to TEXAS
@SauerlandBros | @MamsTaylor | #MisfitsBoxing pic.twitter.com/miNTvT9AEt
— Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) November 15, 2022
Hardy, 34, made his professional boxing debut in October, when he defeated Michael Cook by a second-round TKO. Hardy went into boxing on the heels of his departure from the UFC in March, following the conclusion of his contract.
Prior to his UFC stint, Hardy was a Pro Bowl defensive end in the NFL. His career was riddled with controversies, including charges of domestic violence.
Rahman enters the bout off his first career loss, a fifth-round TKO against James McKenzie Morrison in April.
He was booked to fight Jake Paul at Madison Square Garden in August. However, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions canceled the event when it claimed Rahman did not intend to make the agreed-upon weight. After the cancelation, Rahman Jr. held his own unofficial weigh-in to prove a point but still missed his scheduled mark by 1.6 pounds.