Hardy hits back at Hopkins

British UFC star Dan Hardy has hit back at Bernard Hopkins’ claim that mixed martial arts is just ‘entertainment pornography’.

The boxing legend claimed he would never pay to see an MMA bout and also blasted fans of the sport.

Hardy told The Sun: “Hopkins is allowed his opinion but I don’t think this is what he really thinks.

“He knows that MMA is a tough sport and that the people involved are professional athletes.

“I remember him talking very well of Randy Couture a couple of years ago after watching Randy train.

“I get the feeling Hopkins lashed out at the UFC and MMA like he did because he knows nobody under the age of 35 cares about boxing any more.

“It must be hard to accept for people of his age, he has dedicated his life to a sport and now it is being eclipsed by something more exciting — the UFC.

“A large percentage of UFC fans are the people that used to buy boxing pay-per-views, but they now opt for the UFC instead.

“It’s a difficult pill to swallow, I’m sure, but that’s the reality of the situation and taking little digs at the UFC and MMA fans won’t change this.

“It seems Hopkins has a tendency to speak before thinking, what with his racist comment before his fight with Joe Calzaghe fight, and now his homophobic remark.”

He added: “Insinuating that UFC fans must have chains and masks in their closets is just ridiculous.

“If I remember correctly, Hopkins enters the ring wearing a gimp mask, right?

“I think most MMA fans will give his criticism the contempt it deserves, but Hopkins is welcome to come and have a go if he doesn’t take UFC fighters seriously.

“I’ll take that fight and would promise not to wear panties and to keep my nuts off his face.”

Tags: Dan Hardy, Randy Couture, UFC