Asthma has Hardy 'terrified' to fight at UFC 249 amid pandemic

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy admits he's concerned about stepping into the Octagon during the coronavirus pandemic because he's asthmatic, but it's a risk the former NFL star is willing to take.

"I'm terrified, man, but that's not gonna stop me from paving the way," Hardy said at UFC 249 media day on Thursday when asked if he considered bowing out of the event. "That's not gonna stop me from making sure my bosses got the most entertaining fight. (The UFC is) first back on TV out of all sports. This is the biggest event, and you need the biggest athletes."

Hardy is scheduled to fight Yorgan De Castro on Saturday's pay-per-view main card in Jacksonville. He was originally slated to face De Castro on March 28 and then on April 18 before both events were postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis. The 31-year-old, who trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, described his training camp as "crazy."

"The Prince of War" is coming off a decision loss to top contender Alexander Volkov at UFC Moscow last November. Since making his UFC debut in January 2019, Hardy is 2-2 (1 NC) in the promotion.

An interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje will headline UFC 249.