Hardwick has spent most of his profession dwelling at residence together with his mother and father in Middlesbrough, having solely purchased his first home final yr with cash earned from Cage Warriors title fights.
Whereas admitting his mum can be “very happy” if he retired, he stresses that he is “so grateful” for them supporting his profession and offering a roof over his head.
However whereas many younger MMA athletes dream of an opulent life-style funded by battle pay, Hardwick is aware of this is not all the time the case.
“If you wish to pursue a profession in MMA, be ready to reside at your mother and father’ home till you are 31,” he says.
“I might inform any child who has this dream of being an MMA fighter, who may see Conor McGregor and suppose they will be a millionaire… I would inform them that is not the way it works.
“Even to get to that time, you are going to must undergo a spell of being broke and having the inconsistency of preventing.”
In 2020, Hardwick says he thought of leaving preventing to turn out to be a full-time coach, together with his 5-3 file and the UFC trying like a distant dream.
5 years later, Hardwick was so determined for a possibility that he flew to Abu Dhabi utilizing his personal cash and together with his weight low in case a fighter was compelled to tug out on late discover on the UFC occasion being held there that week.
No fighter pulled out, however his data was handed on to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, and a month later the possibility got here for him to look on a card.
However regardless of all of the dangers and calling MMA a “silly” profession, Hardwick admits it is all the time been the only option for him.
“Even with all this unfavorable stuff that I can say, the monetary instability… So what?” he says.
“These occasions within the health club, the place we’re cracking on and dealing arduous, they’re a number of the greatest occasions in my life.
“There’s one thing about MMA. Whereas the choice is there, I am wholesome and I can battle, I’ll.”
