‘Give me a fight in the UFC’: Hardman fighting for unique dual sport feat

Issac Hardman has revealed his ambitions to chase his UFC dream should he win a world title in boxing.

Undefeated Issac Hardman has revealed his ambitions to chase his UFC dream should he win a boxing world title.

Hardman spent his youth watching UFC videos on YouTube, dreaming of becoming Australia’s first champion in one of the world’s toughest sports.

But his life changed forever as a young teenager when his dad Geoffrey tragically lost his battle with cancer. He pursued boxing as a way to build a connection with his late father, who was himself a talented fighter.

With professional experience in both boxing and MMA, the 25-year-old is set for his toughest bout yet against Michael Zerafa in Melbourne on April 20 in a world title eliminator.

Issac Hardman celebrates winning against Adam Stowe during the middleweight bout at Fortitude Music Hall last December. Picture: Getty Images

Hardman confirmed that the plan is to fight for a world title after Zerafa, which could see him take a big step towards realising his childhood dream.

“But maybe when I become a world champion, I’ll dip my toe in and get that 10th win in MMA, in the UFC. I’d like to scratch that itch,” Hardman said.

“Like I could say, ‘Hey Dana White, I’m a fully-fledged MMA fighter but I can also box…Give me a fight in the UFC.

“No one has done it the other way. Conor McGregor has come over (to boxing) and he wasn’t successful, he couldn’t box the sugar off a doughnut.”

The fighter known as the ‘Headsplitter’ revealed that he was on the cusp of a UFC opportunity in 2017.

But with just one fighter standing between him and a potential contract, a freak touch football accident shattered his plans.

“I went and played a game of touch footy like two weeks before (the fight). I was treating it as like a running session, like a sprint session up and back.

“Long story short, first ball, I subbed on, did a step…and I blew my knee out.

“The plan coming back was (that) I was going to have a fight boxing because I didn’t care about it, just blow the cobwebs out in front of a crowd and then go sign to the UFC.”

After being told that he could make millions in boxing, Hardman set his immediate plans towards a career in the ring rather than the octagon.

Zerafa will undoubtedly be his toughest test yet, but the Queenslander has promised a “full blown assault” on April 20.

The two have already been involved in an altercation before this fight, with CCTV video emerging of Hardman pushing Zerafa before a press conference in early March.

“I firmly believe if someone speaks ill of you, you’ve got to do something about it otherwise they’ll keep doing it.

“I was just sitting there with my arms closed…But as soon as his lips moved I just jumped on him.

“I always wanted to let him know, like he can feel my strength when I grabbed him, and that was just something that he’s go to sit with now for the next six weeks and be nervous about for sure.”

Originally published as ‘Give me a fight in the UFC’: Hardman fighting for unique dual sport feat