Dan Hardy (photo via Independent.co.uk)

By FCF Staff

Former UFC welterweight contender Dan Hardy has a new gig, as the promotion has announced that the charismatic fighter has been added to the UFC Fight pass commentating team.

Hardy, alongside broadcaster John Gooden, will call Fight Pass events that take place in the British Isles, mainland Europe and the Middle East.

“I’m very excited to be putting on the headset for the UFC. I’ve got the same nerves and butterflies that I had when I first signed for the company as a fighter back in 2008,” Hardy was quoted saying in the official announcement. “I think I can bring a great perspective to the color commentator’s role. Researching and breaking down UFC fighters and fights is what I’ve been doing for over 10 years now, only now I am not just concentrating on my own division, but every division. I think I bring a different perspective to the role. Not only have I fought and trained with some of the best fighters in the world, I think I’ve had one of the most varied careers in the history of the UFC.”

“If we only look at my 6-4 record in the UFC, I’ve done it all. I’ve knocked people out and I’ve been knocked out. I’ve headlined huge Pay-Per-Views and I’ve fought on the prelims. I’ve fought guys I liked and respected, and I’ve fought in grudge matches. I’ve been in every high-pressure situation a fighter can find himself in, from challenging a pound-for-pound champion like Georges St-Pierre, to fighting in my hometown with all my family and friends in the front row, to fighting to stay in the UFC when I was 0-4 a couple of years ago.”

“I’ve packed a lot of experience into my 10 fights in the UFC, and I’m looking forward to sharing that experience and insight with the fans.”

The 31 year-old’s fighting career has been put on hold since Hardy was diagnosed with a rare heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The British welterweight has elected not to undergo a surgical procedure for it, which the California commission says is required, in order to issue him a license.

Hardy hasn’t fought since September, 2012, when he scored a unanimous decision win over Amir Sadollah.