Ex-NFLer Greg Hardy disqualified from UFC debut for illegal knee

Former NFL player Greg Hardy took a loss in his UFC debut against Allen Crowder on Saturday night by way of a second-round disqualification.

Hardy, who was in just his fourth professional MMA fight, was aggressive and able to stand in with Crowder early on. But he threw a massive knee with his opponent on the ground in the second frame, prompting referee Dan Miragliotta to intervene. Doctors decided that Crowder shouldn't continue and the fight was called.

The ex-Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys defensive end had won each of his first three pro MMA bouts before breaking into the UFC in the co-main event of the promotion's first ESPN card.

Hardy's history, which includes a domestic violence case that contributed to the end of his NFL career, made his rapid rise and high-profile debut spot a point of controversy for the UFC.

The UFC also drew criticism for having Hardy on the same card as Rachael Ostovich, who had initially been forced to pull out of her fight against Paige VanZant due to injuries suffered in an alleged domestic violence incident with her husband, and MMA fighter, Arnold Berdon.

Crowder improves his professional record to 10-3 with the win, while Hardy falls to 3-1.