Dan Hardy Still Wants Matt Hughes: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Dan Hardy has been pretty vocal about his dislike for former champion Matt Hughes in the past, stating his desire to face the UFC legend inside the Octagon.

Even though UFC matchmakers didn't grant Hardy his wish - matching him up with Duane Ludwig at UFC 146, the brash British brawler still wants a shot at Hughes, and he had a few things to say about the former champ in a recent interview.

"I can't stand the dude," Hardy said in a recent interview with MMA Weekly Radio. "The thing is, at this stage in his career, I know he's past his peak. I know he's not looked great in his last few fights, and maybe he's kind of winding down. I would love to fight him and, if he was willing to take the fight, I would by all means love to get in there and put it on him, but I'm not going to chase after the guy cause he has passed his peak and he may not want to a fight against someone who doesn't like him as much as me. … As a person, I can't stand him; I wouldn't speak to him if I had the option. But I watch his fights and I learn from them."

Even though Hughes is clearly past his prime, I personally think Hardy might be biting off more than he can chew. Hughes might be on a two fight losing streak, but he didn't really look bad in his last fight against Josh Koscheck, winning the striking exchanges before getting caught.

Besides, Hardy usually struggles against good wrestlers, tipping the scales in favor of Hughes.

I really enjoyed the Matt Serra-Hughes drama a few years ago, and the trash talk led to an entertaining fight at UFC 98. A bout between Hardy and Hughes does have some potential as well. But Hardy will have to get past Ludwig first. A loss to Ludwig might just get Hardy cut from the UFC, considering the fact he's currently on a four-fight losing streak.

David is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing practitioner that has watched and studied MMA for the past 7 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.

Sources:

Damon Martin, "Dan Hardy Would Love to Face 'Blood Thirsty Kill Freak' Matt Hughes"

Fight and fighter information from Sherdog.com

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