Hardy listed as sixth best UFC fighter

English fighter Dan Hardy has been listed as the sixth best UFC fighter of 2009, according to an article published on UFC.com.

Hardy is ahead of popular fighters such as Dan Henderson and Cain Velasquez on the list.

Writer Thomas Gerbasi said in his article on UFC.com: “As Nottingham’s Dan Hardy entered 2009, he was coming off a close decision win over Akihiro Gono, and most observers believed that he would have a bit of a climb to get a shot at the welterweight title.

“Then came a stirring knockout of Rory Markham, a close win over Marcus Davis in one of the most heated grudge matches of the year, and a clear-cut victory over Mike Swick. All of a sudden, ‘The Outlaw’ had made his climb – three steps at a time – and he will now face Georges St-Pierre in early 2010.

“Add Hardy’s charisma and ease with the media to the mix, and not only was a contender made in 2009, but a star was born.”