Greg Hardy during his fight against Ben Sosoli. (Photo: Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports)
With a little help from an inhaler, Greg Hardy earned his third UFC victory on Friday night.
The controversial heavyweight was handily winning his fight with Ben Sosoli in the UFC on ESPN 6 main card bout at Boston's TD Garden. But he was also noticeably slowing down, and breathing heavy at the end of the second round.
Between rounds, Hardy (6-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) took a hit from an inhaler, which is illegal. Then he went out and finished the job on his victory, as he got a unanimous decision on scores of 30-27 across the board.
Hardy showed improved striking, footwork, and pacing over the course of the bout. He landed crisp jabs every time his smaller foe waded in, and peppered Sosoli (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with kicks throughout the fight.
Sosoli – unlike some of Hardy's previous foes – didn't look intimidated and landed occasional heavy hands, but was never able to untrack any sustained offense. It was unclear in the immediate aftermath of the fight if Sosoli, who also was on the wrong end of an unpenalized eye poke, will file a complaint with the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission over the blatant infraction.
? By Unanimous [email protected]#UFCBostonpic.twitter.com/tplQ59KWr2
The victory was Hardy's first to go the distance, while the Australian Sosoli had a four-fight win streak snapped.
The heavyweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN 6 main card at TD Garden in Boston. It aired on ESPN2.
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